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Fayette Alliance Blog

Could Local Option Tax Help Lexington Projects?

By Knox van Nagell | January 17th, 2012 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, What's New

Oklahoma City Skyline

Oklahoma City is a model for local tax options for public projects, but Kentucky’s constitution forbids it.

by Dan Dickson, 1.17.2012, Business Lexington

Lexington, KY – Like most American cities, Lexington has ambitious dreams for its downtown — a remodeled Rupp Arena, an expanded convention center, an amphitheater, a water feature — all contributing to a vibrant, 46-acre, arts and entertainment district.

But updating Rupp Arena and enlarging the convention center alone could cost $250 million, one study suggests.

Paying for downtown improvements is always challenging, a point well understood by Commerce Lexington president and CEO Bob Quick…Read more at BizLex.com


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Local Produce Best Option for Small Restaurants

By Knox van Nagell | January 12th, 2012 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog

Sweetgreen often uses local produce in their stores. “Going local” is one way independent restaurant owners say they’ve been able to manage rising food costs. | photo by Marvin Joseph | Washington Post staff

Kentucky News Review: Kentucky chef explains why he buys local

by Olga Khazan, 1.11.2012, Washington Post

When Jeremy Ashby, executive chef of the restaurant Azur in Lexington, Ky., noticed food prices creeping up over the past year, he was initially stumped. He couldn’t save by buying in bulk, because his 3,500-square-foot business didn’t have enough storage space. He couldn’t cut down on staples like butter, the price of which soared at various points last year, because doing so would sacrifice taste. He eventually found the answer in his neighbors’ back yards.

“I found that turning to local sources really helped: We use local cheese makers, farmers and the aquaculture programs of local research universities,” he said. Ashby said he found that by going to local farmers, he could buy fresher foods in smaller quantities and promote the locally sourced flair in his dishes. “I pay a premium per pound, but to buy tomatoes from (distributor juggernaut) Sysco, I have to buy a case. From a local farmer, I can buy two pounds and only pay for what I need.”

Ashby’s solution isn’t typical (he’s partly helped by a Kentucky program that allows him to recoup up to 20 percent of the cost of locally grown products). However, his is a familiar story for independent restaurateurs across the country…Read more at Kentucky.com


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January Keeneland Sale Strongest in Years

By Knox van Nagell | January 11th, 2012 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog, What's New

photo by Jeff Rogers | www.jeffrogers.com

Keeneland sale closes with strongest numbers in four years

by Alicia Wincze Hughes, 1.13.2012, Lexington Herald-Leader

How quickly it takes to fully recover from an ailment often depends on what, if any, setbacks occur during the healing.

With the first major auction of the new year now in the books, the Thoroughbred marketplace succeeded in drawing another healthy breath devoid of major complications.

On the heels of a 2011 sales season that produced sustained upswings for the first time in three years, the Keeneland January Horses of All Ages sale picked up the mantle of momentum during a smashing four-day run that concluded Thursday, producing its highest overall numbers since 2008…Read more at Kentucky.com

Keeneland Sales Daily Updates

by Jeff Beach, 1.11.2012, Business Lexington

It only took two days for the 2012 January Horses of All Ages Sale to surpass the sales totals from the five-day sale of 2011.

Gross receipts from the auction pushed past $30 million on Tuesday, the second day of the four-day sale, surpassing the 2011 sale total by nearly $5 million.

“It was another strong day, with increases in average and median prices and an especially big increase in gross sales,” said Walt Robertson, Keeneland’s Vice President of Sales…Read more at BizLex.com

Weather and prospects looking up for Keeneland horse sale

Alicia Wincze Hughes, 1.9.2012, Lexington Herald-Leader

The 2012 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale doesn’t start until Monday, but already the differences between it and recent editions are hard to miss.

Bitter cold and occasional snow normally serve as the sale’s backdrop; instead, consignors and buyers found themselves stripping off jackets while walking through barns during this weekend’s sunshine and unseasonably mild temperatures.

Mother Nature’s tone was not the only thing on the upswing. For the first time since 2008, the eve of the first major horse auction of the year found its participants discussing the market’s recent progress instead of bemoaning its well-documented struggles. …Read more at Kentucky.com

 


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Dilapidated Pennington Place Apartments off Richmond Road sold

By Knox van Nagell | January 10th, 2012 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog

The dilapidated Pennington Place Apartments, located at the corner of New Circle Rd and Richmond Rd, has been sold. | 2011 file photo by Hannah Potes | Lexington Herald-Leader Staff

Scott Sloan, 1.10.12, Lexington Herald-Leader

Pennington Place Apartments, a dilapidated complex off Richmond Road near New Circle Road, has been sold to a Florida firm that specializes in fixing up neglected properties.

The sale of the property near French Quarter Square brought cheers from area officials who have been closely watching out for its future. The complex originally was slated to be sold at a foreclosure auction last summer to pay the city for a long list of code violations, but a deal was reached to delay the foreclosure in hopes of finding a buyer interested in repairing it.

“It feels wonderful,” said KC Crosbie, who represents the area on the Urban County Council. “It has taken a long time to get there. Personally, I’m thrilled.”…Read more at Kentucky.com

 


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Hopes High for January Keeneland Sale

By Knox van Nagell | January 9th, 2012 | See all in Fayette Alliance Blog

Alex Rocha shows Spice Island, dam of grade 1 winner Ice Box, to prospective buyers at the Bluewater Sales consignment in advance of the January Horses of All Ages sale at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, January 8, 2011. Calumet Farm recently announced Ice Box would join its stallion roster for 2012. The mare sells in foal to Tapit. | Photo by Matt Goins | Lexington Herald-Leader

Weather and prospects looking up for Keeneland horse sale

Alicia Wincze Hughes, 1.9.2012, Lexington Herald-Leader

The 2012 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale doesn’t start until Monday, but already the differences between it and recent editions are hard to miss.

Bitter cold and occasional snow normally serve as the sale’s backdrop; instead, consignors and buyers found themselves stripping off jackets while walking through barns during this weekend’s sunshine and unseasonably mild temperatures.

Mother Nature’s tone was not the only thing on the upswing. For the first time since 2008, the eve of the first major horse auction of the year found its participants discussing the market’s recent progress instead of bemoaning its well-documented struggles. …Read more at Kentucky.com


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Who We Are

The Fayette Alliance is your voice at city-hall advocating for sustainable growth in Lexington…to achieve a world-class city in our world-class Bluegrass landscape.

Since 2006, the Alliance has worked with local government to usher over 50 major land-use policies into law that promote farmland preservation and our signature agricultural industries, responsible development, and improved water quality and infrastructure in Fayette County.

We are charting Lexington's future by positively impacting local zoning and policy decisions—the very building blocks of our community. Although many challenges still remain, we are accomplishing sustainable growth in Fayette County for a better quality of life, economy, and environment for all of us.

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