Lexington, KY - Spring is such a wonderful time of year. We begin dusting off our lawn furniture and preparing for the many outdoor events of the summer. A new event to put on your calendar for this year is the first "Vintage Kentucky: A Toast to Henry Clay" Winefest 2010.
I am so pleased to announce a partnership between LFUCG Parks & Recreation, the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council and Ashland - Henry Clay's beautiful estate, to host this signature event for the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council. In conjunction with the annual Labor Day Weekend Jazz Concert on the Ashland Estate grounds, we will host an event to help promote the re-emerging wine industry in Kentucky. Lexington is the perfect place as most of the state's wineries are within a 90-mile radius of us, and Ashland is the perfect setting, as Statesman Henry Clay was an avid viticulturalist and some of Kentucky's first grapes were grown on his estate.
This concept is one imported from Grapevine, Texas, and one I grew to appreciate during my tenure in Texas as an elected official. Within a very short time, the Grapevine event became a major tourist attraction as well as one of the premier wine competitions in the state, generating millions of dollars for the city.
After moving back to Lexington, I began talking to folks about duplicating this event in Kentucky, as we experience the growth of the wine industry in our state. This announcement is a long time coming as I've been working for many months pulling together all the partners to make this event one that Henry Clay would have been proud of.
We'll keep you posted of the particulars as the event draws near.
Another great announcement is that the Corridor's Commission recently approved $25,000 to cover the cost of the streetscape study necessary to apply for state and federal funding for the Chevy Chase Village re-design at the intersection of Fontaine and Euclid. This study will include an environmental analysis, engineering assessment and recommendations on specific design elements such as benches, light fixtures, pavers, public art and plantings to be consistent with our intent. The grant application is due in July but we won't learn the status of the request until December. Your input and comments are welcomed. I hope you will continue to let me know your thoughts.
Recently I met with Sam Williams, director of Streets and Roads for LFUCG, regarding the road-resurfacing list for the 5th
District. A new formula for allocating funds across the city, one I have pushed for, will yield more funds for our district this year. Unfortunately, developing this new formula, along with the extended snow removal process, has created a delay this year, but work will begin very soon. Please e-mail me if you're interested in seeing the road-resurfacing list with the ratings for your street.
In closing I'd like to express tremendous pride, on behalf of our city, to the Eastern Little League for hosting the 25th
International Congress of Little League in Lexington in mid-March, the first time ever in Kentucky. It was particularly touching to watch so many of the players, of all sizes and levels of ability, carry forward the international flags during the opening ceremony. My father was a little league coach for many years so this was especially meaningful to me.