Lexington, KY - I had a wonderful time in March attending the annual meeting of the Southland Association, a community group made up of local residents and businesses. The Southland Association works to increase the visibility and viability of the Southland area, and to make Southland an attractive, safe and welcoming place to shop, eat, do business and live. This eclectic shopping district was recently featured on KET's "Kentucky Life," which described Southland Drive as full of "unique mom and pop businesses that have survived in the age of giant chains." (You can watch the "Kentucky Life" feature online at http://video.ket.org/video/1422813142.)
The Southland Association's annual meeting was a great chance to sample wonderful goodies on hand from Good Foods, Old Kentucky Chocolates and Donut Days, and to hear status reports on a number of Southland area projects. I spoke on the status of Turfland Mall, the Springs Inn, Wolf Run Creek flood mitigation and 10th District road repaving.
Also at the meeting, board member Stewart Perry updated the audience on the Southland Association's installation of horse and foal statues this summer in front of Fire Station No. 12, which is located on the corner of Cherrybark and Southland Drives. This public art project will provide a whimsical and colorful reminder of Lexington's equine heritage.
Retiring president Phil Wyant discussed the current status of Southland Drive's bike path and sidewalk project. Last year, the Southland Association received a $240,000 Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Grant to construct bike lanes along Southland Drive and to construct elevated sidewalks under the railroad bridge. The bike lanes and sidewalks are presently in the design stage, and construction should be completed sometime during 2011. Phil has done an incredible job as president of the Southland Association, and he received a standing ovation from the crowd for his years of dedicated service.
One of the big announcements of the evening was the return of the Southland Jamboree for its fifth season beginning May 25. The Southland Jamboree has become a hugely popular bluegrass music series situated next to Collins Bowling Center on Southland Drive, and concerts are family-friendly and free to the public. The jamboree draws over 500 concert goers every Tuesday evening for 15 weeks during the summer and is funded by the Southland Association, in partnership with the LFUCG Division of Parks and Recreation, and from private donations and sponsorships. At the annual meeting, I was also pleased to present Danny Collins with a proclamation by Mayor Jim Newberry declaring March 2010 as "Collins Bowling Centers Month" for the Collins Family's outstanding contribution to the quality of life in our community, not the least of which is hosting the Southland Jamboree year after year without charge. I know that residents in Southland are thrilled that Collins Bowling Centers will be hosting the Southland Jamboree again this year.
Southland Drive has become one of Lexington's most vibrant neighborhood retail corridors. Good Foods held the grand opening of their new expansion on Feb. 20, and the Farmers' Market is now open on Sundays this year in front of Slone's Signature Market.
Folks have begun to refer to Southland Drive as "Lexington's Music Row" due to the Southland Jamboree and all of the music stores and shops that have located in the area. With the help of the Southland Association and many dedicated volunteers, Southland Drive is undergoing a rebirth and is quickly becoming one of Lexington's great neighborhood treasures.