Grant Received for Southland Drive Public Pop-up Space

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2016) — As part of the ongoing Southland Drive corridor redesign, the city has launched a new project called “Retrofitting the RETRO” — a public pop-up green space that will be used to both increase aesthetics and pedestrian mobility in the area. Lexington Division of Planning teamed up with University of Kentucky’s School of Interiors, Department of Landscape Architecture and Department of Historic Preservation to provide design assistance on the project.

The Blue Grass Community Foundation and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Donor Advised Fund recently donated $10,000 to the city to help take the project from a concept to a reality. The funding will go toward design and construction of a temporary public space.

“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 the past few years, the Southland corridor has undergone significant improvements with new businesses, bike lanes and community involvement. This pop-up green space will continue that progress, and help enhance the $1.5 million publicly funded sidewalk project in a unique, collaborative way.

“People enjoy inviting public places,” said Derek Paulsen, commissioner of Planning, Preservation and Design. “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 partnered with UK’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. 

“Community engagement is a key strategy for meaningful teaching, research and service in the UK School of Interiors,” said Patrick Lee Lucas, director of the School of Interiors. “Working with campus collaborators — the talented students and faculty in the Department of Landscape Architecture and the terrific staff of the Tracy Farmer Institute — we join together with community partners to use design to meet the opportunities in the Southland area which, in turn, benefit the city. There can be no greater lesson for students than that.”

Community Input To help make this project successful, the city is seeking public input and encouraging citizens to complete a brief online survey about how often they frequent the Southland corridor, what they like, dislike and what improvements they would like to see. 

The collaborative "Retrofitting the RETRO" project has been championed by Urban County Councilmembers as well.

“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 Drive corridor.

Next Steps in 'Retrofitting the RETRO' The Division of Planning, along with the UK design students, is currently working to gather community input to develop conceptual masterplans and identify key public space locations in the district.

Once completed, the Division of Planning will launch a student design contest for the project. The design 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 and/or contact Brandi Peacher in the Division of Planning at bpeacher@lexingtonky.gov.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu