Jump to content

Lexington, Kentucky

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Cmadler (talk | contribs) at 15:44, 7 August 2006 (→Cityscape: typo). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Lexington, Kentucky
File:PhotodowntownLexKY.JPG
Flag of Lexington, Kentucky
Flag
Official seal of Lexington, Kentucky
Seal
Nickname: 
Athens of the West" "Horse Capital of the World
Location in the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Location in the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Country
State
Counties		United States
Kentucky
Fayette
Government
 • MayorTeresa Isaac (D)
Population
 (2000)
 • City266,358
 • Metro
429,889
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Websitehttp://www.lfucg.com/

Lexington, Kentucky, known as the "Horse Capital of the World," is located in the heart of the Bluegrass region. It is the second-largest city in Kentucky, after Louisville.[1] On January 1, 1974 Lexington became the first municipality in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to form a consolidated city-county government by merging with Fayette County. In 2005, the population estimate given by the U.S. Census Bureau was 268,080. Its population, territory and government are coextensive with that of Fayette County. The Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Area (consisting of Fayette and four of the five surrounding counties) had a population of 429,889 as of 2005 estimates. The Lexington-Fayette-Frankfort-Richmond, KY Combined Statistical Area, which includes the Metro area and an additional seven counties, had an estimated population of 635,547 in 2005. Garrard County is also an important commuter county, even though it is excluded from the CSA.

Lexington is home to the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland race course, the Red Mile race course, a Jif peanut butter plant which produces more peanut butter than any other factory in the world, Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky (UK). The area code (859) spells out UKY. UK's basketball program is immensely popular in the city, and the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team have won more games than any other team in college basketball history.

Lexington has been selected to be the site of the 2010 World Equestrian Games [2].

Cityscape

The new mixed-use CenterCourt development under construction blocks from downtown and adjacent to the University of Kentucky.

Lexington's urban development patterns, confined within an urban growth boundary that protects its famed horse farms, includes greenbelts and expanse land between it and the surrounding towns. This has been done to preserve the heritage and land of the region's horse farms and the unique Bluegrass landscape, which brings millions of dollars to the city both in the way of the horse industry and tourism. Urban growth is also tightly restricted in the adjacent counties, with the exception of Jessamine County, with development only allowed inside existing city limits. Fayette county and all surrounding counties have minimum lot size requirements, which range from ten acres in Jessamine to fifty in Fayette, which prevents rural subdivisions and large homes with expanse yards from consuming the Bluegrass landscape.

Most of Lexington's growth has been historically concentrated south of the downtown since the farmland was considered "replaceable." Consisting of more tobacco farms than pastures for rasing horses, today more than 70% of the population lives south of US 60. Until the mid-1990's, most of the growth occured southwest of the downtown between US 68 (Harrodsburg Road) and KY 1974 (Tates Creek Road). Today, there is a considerable buildup to the Jessamine County line, leading new development towards the southeast along the Interstate 75 and US 60 (Winchester Road) corridor. Of the surrounding counties, growth is occuring the greatest along the counties to which Interstate 75 and US 27 crosses through, such as Scott County, Madison County and Jessamine County. Clark County and Woodford County are experiencing moderate growth, and Bourbon County is stagnant, with almost no growth.

In addition to rampant suburban growth, downtown Lexington is seeing a large building boom, with the revitalization of many historical structures and the construction of many new ones. Several new projects are taking advantage of now-disused tobacco warehouses along the South Broadway corridor. Others are utilizing infill techniques, filling in parking lots and low-density or out-of-character structures.

New developments

With the price of land within the urban service boundary of Fayette County increasing due to the diminishing amount of developable plots, along with a resurgence in downtown living, several new projects are either in planning, under construction, or have already been finished.

The most distinctive of the new developments include the 500's on the Main located across from the Lexington Center. It is a residental and commericial project that features a tall sweeping spire and a clock and will include seven seperate structures and two renovated buildings. Main & Rose is another new project that will feature Lexington's first urban grocery store, along with residental condos. Center Courts is located within the College Town district adjacent to the University of Kentucky and is geared towards professors of the college and professionals. One of the newest to be announced is the Transit Center development. The transit terminal and 770-space parking garage, constructed in the late 1980's along East Vine and East High Street, was designed to support a multi-story structure on top. On June 11, 2006, it was announced that a mixed-use development project, combining enterainment, retail, and residental into one structure, would be constructed. It is in the preliminary planning phases. [2]

History

Lexington was founded in June 1775 in Virginia (17 years before Kentucky became a state). A party of frontiersmen, led by William McConnell, camped on the Middle Fork of Elkhorn Creek (today called Town Branch and rerouted under Vine Street) at the location known today as McConnell Springs. Upon hearing of the colonists' victory in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, on April 19, 1775, they named their campsite Lexington after Lexington, Massachusetts. Due to the danger of Indian attacks, permanent settlement was delayed for four years. In 1779, Colonel Robert Patterson and 25 companions came from Fort Harrod and erected a blockhouse. Cabins and a stockade were soon built, making the fort a place of importance. The town of Lexington was established on May 6, 1782, by an act of the Virginia General Assembly.

By 1820, it was one of the largest and wealthiest towns west of the Allegheny Mountains. So cultured was its lifestyle, Lexington gained the nickname "Athens of the West." One early prominent citizen, John Wesley Hunt, became the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies. Slaves were widely held and used as laborers, field hands and domestic servants in Kentucky. In 1850, 1/5 of the state's population were slaves, and Lexington had the highest concentration of slaves in the state. However, the state attempted to remain neutral during the Civil War. Not only were both Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis born in Kentucky (less than one year and 100 miles apart), but both had spent time in Lexington. Davis attended Transylvania University in 1823 and 1824. Lincoln visited the city several times with his wife, Mary Todd, after their marriage in 1842.

Lexington hosted one of the first drug rehabilitation clinics, known as the "Addiction Research Center," which opened in 1935 [3]. It also has a Federal Prison.

Law and government

In 1974, the governments of the city of Lexington and Fayette County, Kentucky combined to create the current Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Lexington has an elected mayor and city council-style of government.

Mayor

Lexington's mayor is Teresa Isaac, who has served in the post since 2002.

Urban County Council

The Urban County Council is a fifteen-member legislative group. Twelve of the members represent specific districts and serve two-year terms; three are elected city-wide as at-large council members and serve four-year terms. The at-large member with the highest number of votes in the general election automatically becomes the Vice Mayor who, in the absence of the Mayor, is the presiding officer of the Council. The current council members are:

  • Mike Scanlon: Vice Mayor
  • Chuck Ellinger II: At-Large
  • David B. Stevens, MD: At-Large
  • George Brown, Jr: 1st District
  • Jacques Wigginton: 2nd District
  • Dick DeCamp: 3rd District
  • Linda Gorton: 4th District
  • Bill Farmer, Jr: 5th District
  • Kevin O. Stinnett: 6th District
  • Bill Cegelka: 7th District
  • George Myers: 8th District
  • Jay McChord: 9th District
  • Sandy Shafer: 10th District
  • Richard Moloney: 11th District
  • Ed Lane: 12th District

Geography and climate

Lexington is strategically located at the intersection of Interstates 64 and 75. However, the city's downtown is not served by any controlled-access highways, and traffic congestion is a significant problem. New Circle Road (KY 4) acts as a beltway around the city. Lexington is accessible by air with approximately 100 direct and nonstop flights from Blue Grass Airport.

Fayette County consists of 283 square miles (733 km²) of gently rolling plateau in the center of the inner Bluegrass Region. The area is noted for its beauty, fertile soil, excellent pastureland, and horse and stock farms. Poa Pratensis (bluegrass) thrives on the limestone beneath the soil's surface, playing a major role in the area's scenic beauty and in the development of champion horses. Numerous small creeks rise and flow into the Kentucky River.

Location of Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
Location of Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky

Lexington-Fayette is located at 38°1′47″N 84°29′41″W / 38.02972°N 84.49472°W / 38.02972; -84.49472 (38.029632, -84.494642)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 739.5 km² (285.5 mi²). 736.9 km² (284.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.35% water.

Climate

The average temperature in Lexington is 54.9 °F (13 °C). Annual precipitation is 45.68 inches (1.2 m). Lexington and the Bluegrass have four distinct seasons that include cool plateau breezes, moderate nights in the summer, and no prolonged periods of heat, cold, rain, wind, or snow.

Lexington has the dubious distinction of being recognized as the #1 worst city for spring allergies in the fall of 2005 by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America [4]. Louisville came in at #4 in that same time period. The results for spring of 2006 have since moved Lexington to #75 and Louisville to #12.

Economy

Traditionally the area's economy has been based on horses and tobacco, but since 1950 it has increasingly become a manufacturing and university based economy. There are three public universities, five private colleges, and two theological seminaries located in the Lexington CSA, with Centre College located just outside the CSA in Danville, Kentucky. In addition, Lexington functions as the major medical and commercial center for a large part of Kentucky. Major employers in the Lexington area include:

Kentucky state sales tax is 6 percent . Groceries are exempt. Hotel tax is 6 percent.

Demographics

Calvary Baptist Church, Lexington

The estimated 2000 population of Lexington-Fayette was 260,512. The estimated 2000 population of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA), comprised of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford Counties, is 424,778.

In 2005 a Combined Statistical Area (CSA) was established for "Lexington-Fayette-Frankfort-Richmond" for which Lexington is a part. [5]

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 260,512 people, 108,288 households, and 62,915 families residing in the city. The population density is 353.5/km² (915.6/mi²). There are 116,167 housing units at an average density of 157.6/km² (408.3/mi²).

The racial makeup of the city is:
81.04% White
13.48% African American
0.19% Native American
2.46% Asian
0.03% Pacific Islander
1.21% from other races
1.58% from two or more races
3.29% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 108,288 households out of which:
27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them
43.5% are married couples living together
11.5% have a female householder with no husband present
41.9% are non-families
31.7% of all households are made up of individuals
7.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older

The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.90.

The age distribution is 21.3% under the age of 18, 14.6% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $39,813, and the median income for a family is $58,677. Males have a median income of $36,166 versus $26,964 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,109. 12.9% of the population and 8.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

There are over 230 churches, mosques and synagogues in Lexington, representing 38 denominations.

Media

Newspapers

Television

  • WLEX, NBC affiliate, - NTSC channel 18
  • WKYT, CBS affiliate, - NTSC channel 27
  • WTVQ, ABC affiliate, - NTSC channel 36
  • WKLE, PBS and KET member station, - NTSC channel 46
  • WDKY, FOX affiliate, - NTSC channel 56
  • WBLU, independent, - NTSC channel 62 (Low Power) (Soon to be RTN and My TV Networks )
  • UKYT, UPN affiliate, - Cable only; 13.2 (WKYT-DT 27.2) (Soon the be The CWKYT)

Radio

  • WVLK, (News/talk) - 590 AM
  • WLAP, (News/talk) - 630 AM
  • WLXG, (Sports) - 1300 AM
  • WRFL, (Alternative) (College Radio) - 88.1 FM
  • WUKY, (Adult Album Alternative NPR PRI) - "NPR Rocks at 91.3 FM"
  • WBVX, (Classic Hits) - 92.1 FM "B92"
  • WLXX, (Country) - 92.9 FM "The Bear"
  • WMXL, (Mixed music/X-mas music from Nov.1-Dec.25) - 94.5 FM "Mix 94.5"
  • WGKS, (Soft Rock/X-mas music from Nov.1-Dec.25) - 96.9 FM "KISS-FM"
  • WBUL, (Country) - 98.1 FM "The Bull"
  • WKQQ, (Rock) - 100.1 FM "Double Q"
  • WLRO, (Sports Radio/Talk) - 101.5 FM "101.5 The Planet"
  • WLTO, (Top 40/Hip Hop) - 102.5 FM "Hot 102"
  • WXZZ, (Rock) - 103.3 FM "Z 103"
  • WLKT, (Top 40/Mixed) - 104.5 FM "The Cat"
  • WMKJ, (60s/70s Hits) - 105.5 FM "Magic 105"
  • WCDA, (Top 40/Adult Contemporary) - 106.3 FM "CD 1063"
  • WBTF, (Urban/Hip Hop) - 107.9 FM "The Beat"

Education

Area colleges and universities

Public schools

The city is served by the Fayette County Public Schools district.

High schools that serve the city include:

Private high schools

Sports teams

Notable residents

Famous residents of Lexington have included:

Gary Egelston

Points of interest

Sister cities

Lexington has four sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:

All four are, like Lexington, major centers of the thoroughbred breeding industry in their respective countries.

Notes and references

  1. ^ Lexington was briefly Kentucky's largest city by 10,000 people, from the 2000 Census until January 1, 2003, when Louisville merged with Jefferson County.
  2. ^ Fortune, Beverly. "Downtown officials pick 3 plans for developing Transit Center." Herald-Leader [Lexington] 11 June 2006. 12 July 2006 [1].
  3. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Marquis Who's Who. 1967.
  • Bolin, James Duane. Bossism and Reform in a Southern City: Lexington, Kentucky, 1880-1940 (2000) ISBN 0-8131-2150-7.)

Template:USLargestCities

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lexington,_Kentucky&oldid=68206987"