Newtown Pike Extension Lexington, KY

1. Newtown Pike Extension Lexington, KY FHWA 2006 Environmental Conference Arlington, VA, June 29th, 2006 David Whitworth Transportation Planner/Environmental Engineer Kentucky Division

4. New Highway from West Main Street to South Broadway: comprised of 4 lanes w/median • Improve traffic flow of through traffic and draw unnecessary traffic out of downtown. • Improve access to UK central campus by efficient traffic routings. • Reduce vehicle congestion, improve safety, and improve bicycle and pedestrian environment. • Opportunity for improving downtown and increasing the quality of life in surrounding neighborhoods.

6. Downtown Lexington Newtown Pike Extension will reduce traffic in Downtown Lexington 15% - 40% resulting in: • Improved traffic patterns, resulting in a revitalized west downtown area and better utilization of existing commercial and residential assets. • Flexibility to alter street system to encourage downtown development and activities, such two way streets, street closures, and reduced street widths. • Improved Pedestrian Environment

7. Newtown Pike Extension History • 1930’s – proposed in City Master Plan • 1960’s – studied as an interstate type facility • Proposed in every LFUCG long-range transportation plan since 1971 • 1971 & 1981 studies contained recommendations for resolving zoning, housing, and community issues for Davistown and Irishtown • 1975 draft EIS; never signed because of high number of residential and commercial relocations • 1997-2000 – Study to consider Limestone and Euclid Corridors • 2001 – Design, Environmental, and Corridor Plan Implemented Main Street - @ 1915

8. Why Now? • Large growth in Lexington in 1980s and 1990s • Deteriorating conditions in area due to landlord neglect and overshadow of project. • Abandonment of a railroad line near the neighborhood. • Political willingness to act. • 1995, two-day workshop of representatives from state, city, UK, and transportation consultants to study feasibility of NPE project. • 1998, FTA permitted the project to bypass MIS and proceed directly to environmental studies. Also, a stakeholders committee met and determined purpose and need.

11. Existing Southend Park

12. Existing Southend Park

14. Existing Davistown

15. Why Environmental Justice? • Impacts from the adjacent roadway project would cause disproportionate impacts (including indirect/secondary/cumulative) to the lower Davistown neighborhood (also known as Southend Park) BECAUSE • Data indicated (and verified) that over 43% of residents were minorities and over 74% were low income. It is the “Most economically disadvantaged neighborhood in Lexington.”

16. Project team says, “this project is not like the others!”

17. How Can We Mitigate ? • Community Disruptions • Relocations of the Neighborhood • Elimination of Low-Income Housing • Impacts to Southend Park (4f property)

18. Mitigation Measures • Purchase entire 25 acre tract of community • Rebuild Infrastructure • Construct in stages (goal of only moving residents ONCE). • Temporary Housing (if necessary) • Rebuild sustainable, affordable housing • Implement community services • Organize community (CLT)

19. SouthendPark Neighborhood Redevelopment Goals • Provide a level of affordable, safe and decent housing for existing residents at or near the same rent or house payment • Maintain Community Cohesion and Minimize Community Disruption • Provide Support Services and Counseling • Plan and design a neighborhood that is livable, affordable, and sustainable

20. Why relocate back to the area?! • 95% residents wanted to stay in the area (10 owners and 25+ renters included) • Access to social services (Nathanial Mission) • Relatives and former residents wanted to move back to area. • Average resident has been there 31 years. • Need for affordable housing (median rent = $288 and don’t qualify for public housing). • Zoning changes planned.

21. Proposed Southend Park • 100+ Affordable Single Family and Townhouse Residential Units (32 existing) • Mixed Use Development providing neighborhood commercial, office, and residential opportunities • Non Profit Development providing social support services • Enhanced Southend Park (Baseball field/recreation area) • Improved Infrastructure – Roads, Drainage, Utilities, Noise Wall

22. Community Land Trust • Protect Housing Affordability Long Term • Involve Community Members in Land Ownership and Land Use Planning • Holds and Can Transfer Ownership of Property • Protects Neighborhood Integrity • Can involve non-profits in Housing Development • Can Provide Rental Units • Is Self Sustaining

23. Community Land Trust… • Removes land cost from price of a home, making it more affordable. • Allows the neighborhood to own commercial property and its use. • Allows trust to provide support services to its homeowners. • Places restrictions on absentee ownership. • Allows board of directors made up of community representatives to govern the trust. • Provides families opportunity to own homes. • Provides way for homes to stay affordable via pre-set resale formulas. • Prevents land from being sold to developers. • Preserves character of the neighborhood.

24. How to accomplish?! • Staged construction for project • Establish manufactured homes in park area. • Use of manufactured homes by displaced residents during staged construction. • Keep community together for those who wish to remain. • Minimal disruption to lives.

25. Newtown Pike Extension Cost Total Highway = 36,400,000 Neighborhood Red. = 37,900,000 Total Project Cost = 74,300,000 Anticipated Funding Sources: FHWA, HUD, KYTC, LFUCG, and others

26. RELOCATION PAYMENTS IN A CLT

29. Newtown Pike Extension Anticipated Schedule * SCHEDULE DEPENDENT ON AVAILABILTY OF FUNDING • Design/Environmental Assessment/Planning: • 2001 – 2006 • Right of Way Acquisition/Utility Relocations: • Late 2006 – 2009 • Southend Park Implementation: • 2006 – 2012 • Roadway Construction • 2008 – 2012

30. Existing Southend Park

31. Proposed Southend Park

32. Proposed Southend Park

33. Proposed Southend Park Mixed Use Development providing neighborhood commercial, office, and residential opportunities

34. Community Involvement • Public Meetings • Surveys (Neighborhood and Individual) • Neighborhood Liason • Focus Groups • Newsletters • Web Site (www.newtownextension.com) • Neighborhood Association

35. QUESTIONS?