Our local leaders are making difficult budget decisions over the next ten days. Your support and participation in this dialog are critical to the Lexington Distillery District. The LFUCG Council recently voted to consider $3.2 million in its next general obligation (GO) bond issue for initial public improvements in the District. Lexington has been approved to receive up to $45.8 million in TIF reimbursement from the state over 20 years from District tax revenues for such infrastructure improvements in this area. Timely funding would incentivize and support current opportunities for a working bourbon distillery, restaurant, retail, and Bourbon Experience Center at the National Register James E. Pepper Distillery in the District. Specific public improvements and benefits include: ....enhancement of the area around the distillery buildings; ....the design and construction of the adjacent Town Branch Trail; ....celebration of Lexington founder James McConnell's c.1790 stone house as a trailhead; ....Manchester Street design as a pedestrian-friendly boulevard; and ....bus shelters, art and public amenities. This city funding can also allow completion of design and engineering of the Town Branch Trail, utility burial and the Manchester Street Streetscape. These plans can be used to secure funds to pay for additional construction, often leveraging $4 for every local dollar. And, even better, the $1 in local funds contributed can be reimbursed by the State per the recently approved TIF. I here attest my support for the Lexington Distillery District as a community project and request that LFUCG fund this infrastructure and economic development request in its upcoming bond issue.

Sponsor

Links