City Commission Meeting Highlights - October 27, 2020

Note:  Due to the COVID-19 situation and the need to maintain social distancing, all members of the Paducah Board of Commissioners participated by video and/or audio conferencing. 

 

Transfer of 432 Broadway to PGLM

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a municipal order for the transfer of the city-owned property located at 432 Broadway to PGJM, LLC in the amount of $7500.  This vacant lot at the corner of Broadway and 5th Street is the result of the razing of the commercial building on the site.  In 2015, the City purchased the neglected building and demolished it out of public safety concerns.  PGJM has purchased the adjacent property at 428-430 Broadway, the historic Goodman building, with plans to redevelop the facility into a five-room boutique hotel, event center, retail area, and restaurant space.  The purchase of the city-owned lot at 432 Broadway will provide space for outdoor dining, seating, and entertainment space.  PGJM currently owns and operates The 1857 Hotel, the Johnson Bar, Paducah Axe, and formerly Tribeca and JPs.  The developer commits to spending approximately $3 million on the redevelopment of 428-430 Broadway and the construction of the outdoor space at 432 Broadway.  An additional condition of this agreement is that PGJM would plant one overstory tree on 432 Broadway in accordance with specifications of the International Society of Arboriculture.  PGJM anticipates the rehabilitation project to begin in the middle of 2021.  

 

Agreement to Employ Amie Clark as Director of Parks & Recreation

The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an employment agreement with Amie Clark as the next Director of Parks & Recreation.  Per the agreement, Clark will assume the director role on December 17.  After two decades of service to this community, current director, Mark Thompson, is retiring at the end of the year.  Clark has been employed with the Parks & Recreation Department since 2003.  At that time, Clark served as Recreation Leader.  She was quickly promoted to Recreation Specialist and in 2010, Clark advanced her responsibilities with her promotion to Recreation Superintendent.  This February, she began serving as Assistant Parks & Recreation Director.  Clark has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Counseling from Mid-Continent College.

 

Proclamations:

  • 50th Anniversary of Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau – Mayor Brandi Harless proclaimed October 20 as the 50th Anniversary of the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) and presented the proclamation to CVB Executive Director Mary Hammond.  The Bureau officially was created on October 20, 1970.  The CVB operates a visitor center at 128 Broadway and excels at promoting our community.  Plus, the CVB has achieved international accreditation through Destinations International through the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program.  The CVB works to put Paducah on the map through the website, Paducah.travel, and through the opportunities provided for Paducah as a UNESCO Creative City.  In 2019, the tourism industry welcomed approximately 2.4 million visitor trips which generated tourism spending in McCracken County totaling $273.54 million, supported 2495 jobs, and generated $21.26 million in state and local taxes.
  • Advocacy in Action Day – Mayor Harless proclaimed October 30 as Advocacy in Action Day to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to honor the founder of the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, Merryman Kemp.  Dr. Mary Foley with the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center accepted the proclamation.  Kentucky’s rate of domestic violence is higher than the national average.  In Kentucky, 45.3% of women have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking victimization.

 

Quick Highlights

  • Approval of appointment of David Godfrey to Main Street Board.
  • Municipal order approved for a one-year contract for services between the City and Sprocket, Inc. with the City providing $40,000 to support Spocket’s plans including the build-out of additional square footage for the partnership with Codefi.
  • Ordinance approved for the renewal of the lease agreement with Forest Hills Village, Inc.  The current lease expires December 31. This renewal lease is for a 10-year term.

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