Last week’s Board of Commissioners work session addressed several community priorities. These meetings provide us with the opportunity to examine policy issues in greater detail and prepare major initiatives for formal action. Here are a few key highlights:
Advancing the New Fire Station
We are one step closer to breaking ground on a much-needed new central fire station. The proposed design and construction contract, which came in at $9.4 million, will be up for a vote at our regular meeting on July 28. If approved, construction is expected to begin soon after, with completion anticipated in 2027.
The location of the new station is the former Pic-Pac site on Second Street, which is now owned by the city. Our consultants studied the service area and identified this location as the most suitable for the new fire station. The station must remain in South Frankfort, on the New Capitol side of the river, and there are very few sites that are both outside the floodplain and not already residential. This new facility will provide our firefighters with a clean, safe, and modern home, ensuring they can continue to provide rapid response across the city.
Establishing a New Tourist and Convention Commission
As the county moves forward with its sports-focused tourism initiative, the city must establish a new Frankfort Tourist and Convention Commission. This transition presents us with a valuable opportunity to reassess how we promote our city and capitalize on our strengths as a destination for visitors, meetings, and events.
Under state law, the commission is appointed directly by the mayor and will be composed of:
- Three representatives from local hotels
- One representative from the restaurant industry
- One from the Chamber of Commerce
- Two at-large members appointed by the mayor
Tourism continues to be a significant economic driver for Frankfort. In 2024, Franklin County saw an estimated $165.5 million in travel-related economic impact. With new hotels, a planned conference center, growing bourbon tourism, and increasing interest in sports travel, the upside is real. This Board will recruit a new executive director and play a key role in our continued growth as a tourist destination. I will appoint individuals who have the vision and commitment to help position Frankfort as a showcase city for the Commonwealth.
Progress on the Abandoned Property Ordinance
We also heard a promising update on our Abandoned Property Ordinance, which the Commission adopted in late 2022. The ordinance enables the city to facilitate the transfer of long-vacant or abandoned properties into the hands of responsible new owners. The goal is to increase property values, return neglected properties to productive use, and grow our housing supply.
Staff modeled the program after the national best practices and created a framework that is unlike any other in Kentucky. The Planning Director reported at the work session a successful example: a neighbor applied to take ownership of a vacant lot next door, and the city was able to handle most of the administrative work (and cost) to make that happen. This kind of infill and redevelopment strengthens neighborhoods, encourages investment, and supports our efforts to expand the local housing supply. We are still refining the policy, but the early results are encouraging.
Meridian Biotech to Open New Facility in Frankfort
On Monday, we announced that Meridian Biotech will invest $40 million in a new facility here in Frankfort, bringing 35 new jobs to the city. Even more encouraging is that this is an infill project, utilizing existing infrastructure and facilities. It also supports the growth of Buffalo Trace by providing them with an innovative solution for their stillage.
This is the kind of economic development we want to see, and Meridian’s future success can serve as a model for other innovative employers looking to invest in Frankfort. After spending time with the owners, Don and Brandon Corace, over the past few months, I am confident they will be outstanding corporate citizens who contribute meaningfully to our community. This could very well be the start of something big.
Read more: Meridian Biotech Announcement.
Thank you for staying engaged. I am proud of the work we are doing together and look forward to sharing more updates soon.
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All the best,
