The Blue Grass Community Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund have contributed $10,000 toward the development of a public pop-up green space on Southland Drive. The city project, which has been named "Retrofitting the RETRO," is part of an ongoing effort to redesign Lexington's Southland Drive corridor and will be used to both increase aesthetics and pedestrian mobility in the area.
“We are excited to support Retrofitting the Retro, which will explore innovative ways to revitalize shared public places, which dovetails perfectly with Blue Grass Community Foundation’s efforts to help Lexington be the most vibrant, dynamic community it can be. Walkable, bike-able, connected neighborhoods are key to these efforts,” said Lisa Adkins, President/CEO of Blue Grass Community Foundation, in a release announcing the grant.
The Southland corridor has undergone significant improvements in recent years, with new businesses, bike lanes and community involvement. The pop-up green space is intended to continue that progress and enhance the $1.5 million publicly funded sidewalk project in the area.
“People enjoy inviting public places,” said Derek Paulsen, commissioner of planning, preservation and design for Lexington. “The neighbors around Southland Drive have already done a lot of work to improve the corridor. Retrofitting the RETRO is the next step.”
The Lexington Division of Planning has also partnered with the University of Kentucky’s School of Interiors, Department of Landscape Architecture, and Department of Historic Preservation to provide data collection and design assistance on the project. To date, students have conducted research into the history of the corridor, hosted community meetings, and have conducted interviews with area merchants and residents.
The city is also seeking community input through an online survey, which can be found online at http://southlandsidewalks.com/survey/.
“My hope is that the ideas shared with the students will be a springboard for residents, business owners, and the Southland Association to enhance places where residents can walk, talk, share and have social connections while retaining the unique character of the corridor,” said 10th District Councilmember Amanda Bledsoe, who represents a large portion of the Southland Dr. corridor.
After gathering community input, The Division of Planning and the UK design students will work to develop conceptual masterplans and identify key public space locations in the district.
Upon completion, the Division of Planning will launch a student design contest for the project. The contest is expected to launch in November 2016, with design submittals presented to the public in December. Construction for the pop-up public space is anticipated in 2017.
For more information or to sign up to email updates about the project, go to southlandsidewalks.com.