Hopkinsville City Council approved several ordinances and municipal orders at Tuesday night’s meeting, which included the closings of four CSX rail crossings, transferring an L&N Depot deed to the Local Development Corporation, and incentives for a downtown development.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, the council unanimously approved an ordinance on second reading to close four CSX rail crossings located at East 5th Street, East 6th Street, East 11th Street, and East 12th Street. In return, CSX Transportation, Inc. provided a monetary contribution to the City in the amount of $400,000 as part of the agreement.
In other action, the council voted to transfer the L&N Depot deed to the Local Development Corporation (LDC). Mayor Wendell Lynch said the LDC has the knowledge to conduct a study of the L&N Depot and then make recommendations to the council of what could be done to salvage the historic property.
Mayor Lynch said the city previously earmarked $130,000 with an additional $30,000 from the state that will have to spend on the L&N Property. He added any additional funding would need to be approved by city council.
Council members approved the downtown development incentives for Cedar Creek Investment Company to develop the former Tom Wade store located at 123 East 9th Street at the corner of East 9th and Virginia streets. As previously reported by the News Edge, Cedar Creek plans to invest $140,000 for the first floor to be redeveloped for retail purposes with the second floor to contain a residential unit.
The council also approved establishing a Future Fire Station Reserve Fund and transferring $300,000 from the CSX Fund, which is a portion of the monetary contribution the city received from CSX Transportation, Inc. for the closing of the four rail crossings. The funds in the Future Fire Station Reserve would be used for a feasibility study. Any of the remaining funds not used for the feasibility study could be applied to the cost of construction, or equipment cost, for a new fire station if approved by the council.
In other business, the city council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Lynch to act on behalf of the city to execute or submit any documents regarding a Delta Regional Authority (DRA) Grant. Mayor Lynch explained the grant application was approved by the DRA and the city was awarded $410,234 for the EZ Access sewer project on Pembroke Road.
All ordinances, municipal orders, and resolutions on the agenda were unanimously approved by a 10-0 vote with council members Patricia Waddell-Bell and Kimberly McCarley absent from the meeting.
