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Grocers want a two-way Main Street
A key to attracting residents into downtown may be in jeopardy as long as Main Street remains one-way.
Phil Holoubek, developer of the Main & Rose mixed-use project now under construction, said he has been in negotiations with several grocers regarding the possibility of locating on the property, but talks have stalled because "we cannot guarantee them that Main Street will soon become two-way."
Holoubek said since 70 percent of grocery sales are "drive home" business, locating on a one-way street increases the risk. "If we are not able to guarantee that Main Street will soon become two way, they (grocers) are looking for possible incentives from the city that would decrease their risk." Holoubek suggested those incentives could be related to property taxes, payroll taxes, monthly rent or anything else that city officials think might be a possibility.
"Of course, a grocery would have a direct, big impact on the occupational taxes generated by downtown businesses," said Holoubek. "A convenience like this in the true core of downtown entices other developments to spring up. Smaller infill projects are more likely to occur when conveniences like this are added."
The possibility of restoring two-way traffic to Main Street is currently under discussion. As a section of U.S. Routes 25-421, any change to Main Street would require the approval of the Federal Highway Administration.
Conservation easement incentive expanded
"What we have here is something very, very special. And we ought to preserve it," said Congressman Ben Chandler, standing on the steps of the historic Benjamin McCann House on Old Richmond Road to announce an expansion of a federal tax break for landowners who donate conservation easements.
Chandler spoke at a Bluegrass Conservancy press conference to underscore a brief window of opportunity to take advantage of the provisions of legislation signed into law in August by President Bush.
Limited to easements donated in 2006 and 2007, the new law (HR4) raises the deduction a landowner can take for donating a conservation easement from 30 percent of their income in any year to 50 percent. It allows qualifying farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100 percent of their income and extends the carry-forward period for a donor to take tax deductions for a voluntary conservation agreement from 5 to 15 years.
"This is to preserve something that a lot of people in other parts of the world do not have and that is a brand," said Chandler. "We've been given a brand for Central Kentucky, this beautiful land which has been developed by horse farm owners, largely, but others as well, to create something very special.
"A lot of people believe that you can do anything you want to do with your own property," Chandler added. "I happen to believe that generally you can do that until it affects someone else, and then you get into issues concerning what's good for everybody."
Field narrowed to one for Transit Center development
The Lexington Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) has narrowed the field from three contenders to the Dallas—based global development firm Trammell Crow in discussions on the construction of a mixed-use project above the Transit Center on Vine Street.
In June it was announced that the LDDA had received proposals from several developers for a mixed-use development project, combining entertainment, retail, and residential into one structure. The transit terminal and 770-space parking garage, built in the late 1980s, was designed to support a multi-story structure on top.
LDDA Executive Director Harold Tate confirmed that talks are continuing with Trammell Crow, but added, "nothing else has been decided at this point."
Blanchard to lead chamber leadership conference
Leadership guru Ken Blanchard will headline Commerce Lexington's second annual "Unbridling the Spirit of Leadership in Kentucky Communities Conference" at the Lexington Center on November 8.
"The problem we've had in the past is that too many leaders are choosing to be self-serving," said Dr. Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager. "It's all about them and their agenda and doesn't have much to do with the people that they are supposed to be serving."
Planning to teach from his latest book, Leading at a Higher Level, Blanchard said he plans to talk about the "servant leader."
"There are two parts to leadership. One is vision and direction. The second part is implementation. What I have found too many times is that people, even if they have a clear vision, want to keep the hierarchy alive and well for implementation so everybody knows who's in charge and that it's their plan. It's too much about them and not about the vision, not about the people they're serving."
Registration forms for the daylong event can be obtained online at www.commercelexington. com. Click on "events."
Toyota ok'd for environmental leadership program
Toyota has been accepted as a Master member of KY EXCEL, a state environmental leadership program.
To attain Master membership, the highest level of the program, Toyota had to demonstrate comprehensive environmental management planning, submit to an independent third-party assessment of the plant's compliance and commit to and report on at least four voluntary projects that benefit Kentucky's environment.
Approved Toyota projects include water conservation by treating and using industrial wastewater and rainwater in its production processes. The company committed to participating in an electronic waste seminar sponsored by the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center by sending an environmental representative to discuss best practices used in the industrial sector. It also will host a regional household hazardous waste collection event for its employees and the general public in Scott County, where the plant is located.
Toyota has a "zero waste" goal of recycling all manufacturing waste generated at the Georgetown facility. The company also composts select waste generated at the facility, converting the waste to a fertilizer for the landscaping on its grounds and an on-site garden that grows produce for local charities. TMMK has begun constructing a nature trail and an accompanying interactive environmental education center for use by school children during plant tours.
KY EXCEL was launched in 2006 by the Department for Environmental Protection to encourage and recognize voluntary efforts that improve Kentucky's environment.
National real estate firm cries foul in Kentucky
Marcus & Millichap, a California-based $21 billion nationwide real estate brokerage company, has filed a lawsuit against the Kentucky Real Estate Commission in U.S. District Court in Louisville. The firm argues that the commission's strict licensing rules pose an unacceptable barrier to interstate commerce, rendering them unconstitutional.
The commission strictly limits any role in the sale of property within the state to brokers who are licensed by Kentucky. Out-of-state brokers whose clients are interested in buying property in Kentucky are required to pass the lead on to Kentucky-licensed brokers. They can have nothing further to do with the deal, including a split commission.
Kentucky's rule is one of the nation's toughest, enforced with threats of fines, loss of commissions or licenses, and criminal prosecution.
The commission says the intent of the rule is to protect buyers and sellers from incompetent or predatory brokers it can't police. Marcus & Millichap claims the rule was designed specifically to shield Kentucky brokers from outside competition.
Farish named Keeneland Trustee
Thoroughbred owner and breeder William Stamps Farish was named a Keeneland trustee during the corporation's semi-annual meeting. Farish succeeds James E. (Ted) Bassett III, who announced his retirement after serving as a trustee since 1993.
Louis Lee Haggin III and William T. (Buddy) Bishop III also serve as Keeneland trustees.
Kentucky SBDC announces selection of Shawn Rogers as State Star
Shawn Rogers has been selected as the 2006 Sutton Landry State Star of the Kentucky SBDC. Rogers received the award at the Association of Small Business Development Centers' (ASBDC) national conference in Houston.
Rogers is the assistant center director at the Lexington Area Small Business Development Center, part of the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics. Rogers was chosen by the Kentucky Small Business Development Center for being an exemplary performer, making a significant contribution to the KSBDC program and showing a strong commitment to small business throughout Central Kentucky.
The State Star Award is named in honor of Sutton Landry, the long-time director of the Northern Kentucky University SBDC.
The Lexington Area SBDC is located on the fourth floor of the Central Library Building in downtown Lexington. For more information on the KSBDC, visit www.ksbdc.org.