Lexington, KY - As Lexington begins its final preparations to host the equestrian world for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which start in two weeks, the city is in the midst of putting the finishing touches on a number of projects.
At a Friday morning ribbon cutting for the new streetscape that was put into place over the past year starting on South Limestone and then overtaking the downtown, Mayor Jim Newberry said any inconvenience caused by the work is paying off with its completion.
"Downtown is far more appealing now than it was just a few short months ago, when you reflect on what our sidewalks looked like around both Main and Vine Streets, our two main thoroughfares, the changes are stark. It is hard to fully appreciated the impact this is going to have," Newberry said, but he feels it will be long lasting. "These projects have the capacity to transform our city for many, many years to come."
The final finishing touches to appear over the next week include landscaping in planters and rain gardens along city sidewalks. Also, permanent illuminated signs for the Fifth Third Pavilion at Cheapside Park will be delivered and installed next week according to Harold Tate of the Downtown Development Authority.
Though all the projects, including the Newtown Pike Extension, will be finished in time for the Saturday September 25th opening ceremonies, Newberry said the Games were not the ultimate reason the downtown projects were accomplished. "Certainly the Games were a catalyst for this project, but by no means were the Games the reason for this project," he said in an interview following the ribbon cutting. "(The streets and sidewalks are) certainly a great deal more pedestrian friendly, in some places they were actually dangerous."
While visitors and residents during the Games can enjoy a new look downtown, getting those with tickets to the Games is one of the focuses of Jamie Link, CEO of the World Games Foundation.
"We want everyone to arrive at the Games in a safe and efficient manor, ready to come to the Park and come to the Games and ready to have a great day. And that can only happen if their experience getting to the park works out well," Link said at press conference at Police Headquarters on Friday afternoon.
Signage will be erected "well in advance to arriving at the property," he said. Both standard road signs and variable display boards that can give up-to-date information will be in 115 places around the area leading visitors to the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Horse Park will have 10,000 parking spaces available for $20, cash only, per vehicle, up to a 15 passenger van. The parking area is on an adjacent farm, and shuttles will be available for those with special needs. The furthest parking space in the main set of lots, according to Link, is the equivalent of eight city blocks from the main gate, or roughly the distance between Dillard's and Macy's at Fayette Mall.
Wristbands for $15 round-trip shuttles from area hotels will also be available and will drop riders off at the main gate, though those are mainly aimed at people staying in area hotels. Lextran will take people on a three stop route from the Transit Center in downtown to the same main gate at the Horse Park for $2 each way. And taxis and Gold Shield livery service will also have access to the drop off area, Link said.
While heavier than usual traffic flow is expected, the Lexington Division of Police will station fewer than a fifth of the traffic officers used during home UK football games. Nineteen will be posted along Iron Works Pike to direct traffic from the day before the Games, through its culmination. During football Saturdays, Lexington Police utilize more than 100 officers, according to Commander Mike Blanton.
"The Division of Police have been planning for the Games and the traffic component for over two years now, and we feel like we are fully prepared to meet the traffic challenges that come with having an international sporting event," Blanton said.
A temporary traffic signal will also be active starting on September 17 at the Iron Works Pike interchange at I-75.
Those choosing to attend the games who would like to avoid the roads altogether can ride a bike on the nine mile Legacy Trail which opens this weekend. A "bike farm" will be available near the gate for riders to lock their cycles at no cost.