Update on Mayor Gray’s Transition Teams
Downtown Lexington | Photo Jeff Rogers, jeffrogers.com
Knox van Nagell, Executive Director of the Alliance, was named to Mayor Jim Gray’s transition team, which focused on five issues that are critical to building a great city: Neighborhoods, Traffic, Bluegrass Preservation, Diversity & Inclusion, and Environment.
The Fayette Alliance truly appreciated serving on Mayor Gray’s “Quality of Life” transition team. It was an inspiring experience–to work with so many talented and intelligent Lexingtonians. We look forward to working with Mayor Gray and the Council to achieve a world class Lexington in our incredible Bluegrass landscape.
Continue to let us know what you think. We’re listening. The Fayette Alliance is uniquely positioned to bring your voice—your ideas, insights, and perspective– to our local officials. Unlike other non-profit organizations, the Alliance lobbies and educates local government on activities related to achieving a sustainable Lexington that benefits all of us.
Citizen teams look at problems facing Lexington
By Tom Eblen
Posted 2.6.11 on Kentucky.com
…When I printed out all of the transition team reports to read, I had a stack of paper more than an inch thick. They offer a lot to think about, but here are a few random recommendations that shouldn’t get lost in the shuffle:
- Appoint a Director of Agriculture to the city’s economic team to focus not only on the equine industry but on diversification of Fayette County’s agriculture economy. That would include more emphasis on locally grown food, and perhaps pushing for the legalization of industrial hemp, which in the 19th century was Fayette County’s biggest cash crop.
- Get the mayor and Urban County Council out of City Hall more often by having some council meetings and “mayor’s night out” events in neighborhoods around town.
- Bury power lines at the same time the city is replacing sewer lines as part of the federal consent decree.
- Promote public transportation with more shuttles like the Colt Trolleys at special events. Make the downtown transit center more inviting by encouraging food vendors and performers to come there. Continue former Mayor Jim Newberry’s emphasis on bike lanes and trails, and mark popular bicycle commuter routes.
- Create a Community Development Corp. or “land bank” to promote redevelopment of blighted areas and vacant land within the Urban Services Boundary.
Read more at Kentucky.com