Jim Gray
Jim Gray’s Official Mayoral Campaign Website
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Biography
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2010 Growth Questionnaire
1. What is your vision for Lexington-Fayette County?
Lexington is America’s 65th largest city, with a rich and authentic 235 year history. We deserve an urban core that matches our rural landscape. And an economy that encourages opportunity for everyone. It all depends on better leadership, imagination, and planning.
2. As Mayor, you will appoint members to the Planning Commission that will decide whether to expand the Urban Service Boundary. Do you support an expansion of the Urban Service Boundary during the next Comprehensive Plan Process?
No. The Urban Service Boundary is the limitation that defines our potential, and yes, that’s admittedly a puzzling concept to get our arms around. The boundary should be honored and preserved, yet challenged too. It makes us think and plan and do better. As mayor, I will appoint Commission members who fully embrace the value and impact of planning and development, not just for today but for decades and centuries ahead.
3. As Mayor, what will you do to ensure that the land bank authority is properly established? What should be the criteria for awarding parcels for infill-redevelopment projects and/or real estate deals?
Simple answer: use the PDR program as the management template for the Land Bank. It has worked well. Remember that work force housing needs to be a big part of the Land Bank.
4. Will you support continuing funding of at least $2 million, annually, for the PDR program?
Yes, I support the PDR program because it has succeeded so well and made historic impacts. Over time, it’s also become clear that our rural landscape and our urban core are linked together inseparably, which is why preserving neighborhoods and creating economic vitality is such a dynamic part of the equation.
5. As Mayor, how will you address Lexington’s affordable housing needs?
The Affordable Housing Trust Fund is a step in the right direction. I’ll ask to put all options on the table. We need systematic approaches to problem-solving in this essential area.
6. As Mayor, will you change the LFUCG Divisions of Planning, Building Inspection, & Code Enforcement? If so, how?
We should elevate the Planning role. Building Inspection and Code Enforcement are two areas significantly impacted by budget limitations, and we must work hard to keep Public Safety off the budget-cutting table. By dialing-up economic development we can favorably influence our budget and keep that from occurring.
7. As Mayor, how will you handle CentrePointe and similar development projects moving forward? How will you encourage the implementation of the Downtown Master Plan and its recommendations?
CentrePointe was about failed leadership. All the backstops, starting with the mayor’s office and including the Downtown Master Plan, failed to prevent the destruction, embarrassment, and economic distress Centrepointe has created. Had the mayor followed the Downtown Master Plan, we wouldn’t have a hole in the heart of our city.
8. As Mayor, how will you propose addressing—in the long term—the student housing issues in Lexington’s established neighborhoods? How should LFUCG incentivize infill in the Urban Service Boundary, while protecting the character of established neighborhoods?
This is a problem across the city, and UK’s neighborhoods are a reminder of what happens when problems aren’t addressed at the root level. We should work relentlessly to protect neighborhoods and create a more livable city that leads to family stability and economic vitality.
9. Fayette County agri-business and agri-tourism generate over $3billion for the regional economy each year. As Mayor, how will you promote these signature industries?
Some folks believe that Lexington’s rural landscape is just about horse farms; it’s not. Let’s remember that Fayette County produces food products for the whole region, with growing agri-tourism and business dimensions. It’s an important piece of the planning puzzle that will help grow and foster a sustainable community.
