City of Berea issued the following announcement.
Some big plans are in the works from the Berea Tourism Commission, such as creating a new historic district and a new farmer’s market pavilion. Above, Berea Tourism Commissioner Richard Thomas highlights some of the features of the proposed pavilion.
The Berea Tourism Commission voted unanimously to support the design of a historic district in Berea, which would encompass North Broadway Street, parts of Adams Street, and run from Chestnut Street to Main Street.
Berea Tourism Director Kerri Hensley said the process would include a future public meeting to engage stakeholders, including property and business owners. In the meantime, Palmer Engineering is asking for a commitment of up to $20,000 if the design process goes forward. Historic Preservation Kentucky would be the grantor of the historic designation, officials said.
If the designation is approved, business owners in designated areas, such as North Broadway, would receive a 40 percent tax credit for renovating their property, officials said. In theory, that would spur further economic development in the proposed district. The commission ultimately voted to commit up to $20,000 to the project, contingent upon approval from the community.
Also at last week’s meeting, the Berea Tourism Commission pledged to support the effort to win funding for a new Berea Farmer’s Market pavilion. The commission unanimously voted to support a multi-purpose facility with up to $300,000 in matching funds. Sketches of the proposed facility were shown at the commission’s regular business meeting last Wednesday.
In related news, Mayor Bruce Fraley announced Tuesday at a meeting of the Berea City Council that a cooperative partnership between the city, the Berea Farmer’s Market, and Berea Tourism, won approval on Monday for a $10,000 grant for the project from the Madison County Agricultural Development Council.
Artists rendering of the proposed Berea Farmer’s Market pavilion.
The pavilion, located on Chestnut Street in the empty parking lot next to the Tolle Building, would be approximately 25,000 square feet, and will have 70 parking spaces around it. In describing the pavilion for commissioners at a prior tourism meeting, Mayor Fraley said the venue could also serve as a place for concerts and other community events, but that in the long run it be an important economic gateway into the community. “If there’s something attractive there it could be a nice gateway to the city and could generate some economic development,” Fraley said.
Fraley said he has been working with Berea Farmer’s Market to find the market a permanent home. Fraley became aware of state tobacco settlement funds that could potentially be available through the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy if the project moves forward.
Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley recently told the Berea Tourism Commission that a farmer’s market pavilion could spur a new wave of economic development. Fraley led the effort to apply for funding for the project, which included a joint application from the City of Berea, Berea Tourism and the Berea Farmer’s Market.
Expressing support for the pavilion concept, Tourism Commissioner Charles Arnold said citizens might look favorably on the project because it provides a resource for local residents. “This gives the community something tangible that they can use for their [restaurant] tax,” Arnold said. Commissioner Patrick Huston., meanwhile, noted revenue derived from renting out the venue could be used to support other tourism programs.
When it came time for a vote, Ahmad Reynolds, Charles Arnold, Dale Ballinger, Patrick Huston and Rick Thomas voted in favor of the motion to support the project. Linda Ross and Charles Sanders were not at the meeting.
In other business, the commission agreed that the request for quotation deadline for advertising firms to submit bids for services would be December 31, 2019, and that separate proposals may be required for web management and digital services.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Berea
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