Project Team
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG)
The City of Lexington (LFUCG) has commissioned the Downtown Area Master Plan, and will be leading the planning effort with a team of urban planning, design, economic, and transportation consultants.
LFUCG’s Project Management team will be lead by:
Boyd O. Sewe, Principal Planner, Long Range Planning (Project Manager) - bsewe@lexingtonky.gov
Hannah Crepps, Outreach and Strategic Planning - hcrepps@lexingtonky.gov
Harold Baillie, Manager of Long Range Planning - hbaillie@lexingtonky.gov
Consultant Team
MKSK - Urban Planning and Community Engagement
MKSK is a collective of planners, urban designers, and landscape architects who are passionate about strengthening the connection between people and place.
Development Strategies - Market Analysis, Feasibility, Housing Policy
Development Strategies is a firm that guides effective decisions in real estate, community, and economic development
WSP – Transportation Planning and Engineering
WSP is a professional services firm, uniting engineering, advisory and science-based expertise to make a positive impact.
EHI – Public Outreach & Neighborhood Engagement
EHI Consultants specializes in the areas of land use planning, civil engineering, environmental planning and regulatory planning.
CivicLex – Public Outreach & Online Engagement
Civic Lex is a nonprofit organization that’s strengthening the civic health of Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky.
Urban Canopy – Urban Forestry Advising
Urban Canopy Works (UCW) is a women-owned, Cincinnati-area based business dedicated to the advancement of trees and the tree canopy in our urban and developed areas across the country.
Why We Plan
Downtown Lexington is in the midst of a transformation. Recent projects like City Center, Town Branch Commons, and Gatton Park are some of the many signs that downtown is full of energy and creativity. And the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government continues working to make the area walkable and human-scale. These things make downtown Lexington the beating cultural and economic heart of the Bluegrass!
But along with positive changes, downtown Lexington is also facing serious challenges. Housing is getting harder to afford. Office space usage is shifting. Urban heat islands and development pressure affect the shape of downtown. These things threaten the health and momentum of the area.
This is where the Downtown Area Master Plan will play a vital role. It is an opportunity to lift up creative energy and also face challenges head-on. The plan will include proactive strategies built on robust engagement. It will involve neighborhoods and key stakeholders across many sectors: housing, business, transportation, art, entertainment, and more. This is a chance to rally Lexington around the opportunities for downtown's future. It is also a chance to recognize and respect the rich history and unique character of downtown.
Downtown Lexington is home to many key institutions. Two hubs of higher education - University of Kentucky and Transylvania University - bookend the area to the north and south. Vibrant, diverse neighborhoods surround the downtown core. With these elements, the future of downtown is ideal for smart infill development. To figure out how downtown can best grow and change, the planning team must work with stakeholders and the community. Together, we will reflect on downtown's evolution and map the way to its bright future!