walkLEX: Centrepointe Proposal 2.0

Rendering of Proposed Centrepointe, Lexington, Ky.

Yesterday, Dudley Webb unveiled his modified proposal for the Centrepointe development (47 page PDF). The modification includes several major changes. Most notably, the “peak and spire” design is gone being replaced with a flat top roof and a 60-foot flag poll. The original proposal was to be about 500 feet tall (35 stories); the modified structure just under 290 feet (23 stories). BizLex has a good summary of the differences in the two proposals, but Herald-Leader columnist Tom Eblen points out the obvious: with the economy in its current state, he doesn’t “expect to see it rise out of the pasture anytime soon.”

The proposal emphasizes the incorporation of and reinterpretation of historical architectural styles. The proposed structure is immensely better than the original proposal, but I’m still not entirely certain how the structure will complement the rest of downtown or how it will be uniquely Lexington. Although the tower doesn’t rise adjacent to the sidewalk, it is close to the Main Street side questioning what shadows it might cast.

Plus, I’ve posted before on my growing fondness of the downtown horse fence. It truly would be a great area for a 1.7 acre downtown park (a real park, with trails, etc.). That said, the proposal does offer the site for use by Spotlight Lexington and other downtown festivities associated with the World Equestrian Games.

Rendering from Kentucky.com as modified from the Centrepointe Application.

No Destination: Three States Cornerstone

Near the Boundary Marker of TN, KY & VA in Cumberland Gap, Tenn.

At the top of Tri-State Peak is the cornerstone of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. Dr. Thomas Walker and Colonel Richard Henderson first surveyed this site in 1779. A National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark marker notes the Royal Colonial Boundary of 1665. The marker is at an elevation of 1,990 feet.

When Dr. Walker, for Virginia, and Col. Henderson, for North Carolina,  surveyed the land, the two states disputed the rights to lands west of the mountains.  The region was proposed to be part of the never-successful colony of Vandalia and the non-state of Westsylvania. Also, Col. Henderson is the same who purchased the non-state of Transylvania from the Cherokee in 1775, but which purchase was invalidated by Virginia the following year. The present state lines and boundaries were settled by compromise in 1802 and the Supreme Court’s decision, Tennessee v. Virginia, 190 U.S. 64 (1903), finally approved the location.

From the Tennessee roadside marker  pictured above, it is only 1.5 miles to Bell County, Kentucky and the Tri-State Peak.

No Destination: University of the Cumberlands

Bell Tower at the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Ky.

Originally founded as the Williamsburg Institute in 1889 and renamed to Cumberland College in 1913, the University of the Cumberlands took its present name in 2005. Early benefactors seeking to “provide affordable Christian education for mountain people” included James P. and Thomas B. Mahan, Ancil Gatliff, Edwin S. Moss, John W. Siler, and John D. Rockefeller.

Architecture on the college’s campus is well-considered and substantially uniform red-brick. Many of the buildings, especially those recently constructed, are modeled as replicas of America’s historical structures, e.g., Independence Hall and Monticello. The public restaurant in the Cumberland Inn, the Athanaeum, is listed as a must-stop in Eating Your Way Across Kentucky: 101 Must Places to Eat.

Notable alumni include Rep. Eugene Siler, Governors Bert Combs and Edwin Morrow, military generals, and several university and college presidents. The school’s recent history is complete with some controversy when Kentucky courts ruled that state funding of a pharmacy school at UC would be unconstitutional in light of the forced withdrawal of a gay student at the school.

No Destination: Capitol Mural “Civitas”

I’ve been excited since First Lady Jane Beshear announced that the murals were coming to the Capitol. Part of the Capitol’s original design, plans were set aside after artist Frank Millet (a friend of then-Gov. August E. Willson) died on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. One hundred years later, the Capitol finally has its murals! This is the final of four posts about the murals.

“Civitas” Mural, Capitol, Frankfort, Ky.

This mural, Civitas, represents the “light of progress.” Athena, the Roman goddess of civilization, symbolizes progress and strength. Athena refers to a paper in the hand of the male standing next to, and enlightened by, her looks forward toward the future. The kneeling male holds a lantern to illuminate – a sign of both the future and Kentucky’s coal heritage. In background-right, the Roebling Bridge – the architect’s precursor to the Brooklyn Bridge – links Covington with Cincinnati. In background-left, the Jefferson Davis obelisk and the Lincoln Birthplace Memorial remind us of Kentucky’s historical importance as the birthplace of these two leaders.

I think that the Civitas mural is my favorite as it beckons a continued hope for Kentucky as “the light of progress.” I am also quite fond of the Roebling Bridge which appears in the background. All of the murals, however, are quite beautiful as is the newly painted rotunda.

The other murals are Nature, Industry, and Culture.

No Destination: Capitol Mural “Culture”

I’ve been excited since First Lady Jane Beshear announced that the murals were coming to the Capitol. Part of the Capitol’s original design, plans were set aside after artist Frank Millet (a friend of then-Gov. August E. Willson) died on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. One hundred years later, the Capitol finally has its murals! This is the third of four posts about the murals.

“Culture” Mural, Capitol, Frankfort, Ky.

This mural represents Culture and the fruits of knowledge. In the foreground there are four persons: the male on the left holds a tome and symbolizes the jurist as well as the elements of faith, law and instruction; the genteel woman at center  instructs the young child who holds the Kentucky dulcimer; at right, the Muse of the Arts represents the traditions of music and dance. In the background, one can pick out Natural Bridge, the Old State Capitol, and other famed Kentucky structures.

The four murals cost $225,000 and were paid for by a donation from Mr. and Mrs. Forcht (of Forcht Bank). Apparently, two spots remain for donors to step forward for murals in two lunettes: one each above the entrances to the State Reception Room and the Governor’s Office.

The other murals are Nature, Industry, and Civitas. 

No Destination: Capitol Mural “Industry”

I’ve been excited since First Lady Jane Beshear announced that the murals were coming to the Capitol. Part of the Capitol’s original design, plans were set aside after artist Frank Millet (a friend of then-Gov. August E. Willson) died on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. One hundred years later, the Capitol finally has its murals! This is the second of four posts about the murals.

“Industry” Mural in the Capitol, Frankfort, Ky.

This  mural represents Industry with the paddlewheel boat steaming down the Kentucky River. Mercury, Roman god of commerce, stands behind Vulcan (Roman god of the forge) and a laborer who is moving a bourbon barrel.

The other murals are Nature, Culture, and Civitas. 

No Destination: Capitol Centennial (1910-2010)

Though ground was broken in 1904 and the cornerstone was laid in 1906, Kentucky’s fourth and present capitol building was opened on June 2, 1910. This weekend, the Commonwealth celebrates the centennial of this magnificent building which replaced the Old State Capitol in old Frankfort.

So Happy 100th Birthday to this Beaux Arts gem (I’ll do a post on the building itself soon…)!! As part of the festivities, four murals were unveiled in the rotunda. I’ll be posting on these four murals as bonus posts over the weekend. Suffice it to say, they are gorgeous!

At noon, Gov. and First Lady Beshear hosted former governors and first ladies and other dignitaries for lunch in the Executive Mansion before a ceremony held on the grounds. During the festivities, the capitol grounds also hosted a farmer’s market, a number of Kentucky craft vendors and artisans as well as an antique car show. It was a wonderful birthday party! 

No Destination: Capitol Mural “Nature”

I’ve been excited since First Lady Jane Beshear announced that the murals were coming to the Capitol. Part of the Capitol’s original design, plans were set aside after artist Frank Millet (a friend of then-Gov. August E. Willson) died on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. One hundred years later, the Capitol finally has its murals! This is the first of four posts about the murals.

Mural “Nature” in the Capitol, Frankfort

The first mural represents Nature and the bounty of the land. In the foreground is Ceres, the Roman goddess of agricultural prosperity. Kentucky’s signature industry – the horse – also appears in the foreground. In the background you can see the twin spires of Churchill Downs, as well as the limestone fences, barns and fields of harvest for which Kentucky’s bluegrass is so well known.

These murals are grand and a fine addition to the Capitol. So many emphasize the characters depicted in the foreground that they ignore the detail in the background.

The other murals are Industry, Culture, and Civitas.

No Destination: Historic Midway

Midway, Kentucky

Midway, Kentucky is a bustling town in Woodford County. The land that would become Midway was purchased in 1835 by the Lexington & Ohio Railroad Company. Located “midway” between Lexington and Frankfort (and also “midway” between Versailles and Georgetown), the town was Kentucky’s first railroad down. Of course, its location as a great crossroads was already known from the importance of the nearby Offut-Cole Tavern. And a train still travels through the middle of town on Railroad Street (unlike LaGrange, the train doesn’t impede parallel traffic)

Historic Midway has so many stories, and it has many historic markers on its Railroad Street that shares those stories:

“Sue Mundy” Here, Marker 537:

Jerome Clarke, called Sue Mundy, one of Morgan’s Raiders, formed his own guerrilla band on Morgan’s death Sept. 1864. Clarke and band raided here November 1, 1864, killing Adam Harper. Four Confederate prisoners executed in reprisal by Union forces. On Feb. 2, 1865, Clarke returned with William Quantrill, another guerrilla leader, burned depot here and stole 15 horses.

 Edward Dudley Brown (1850-1906), Marker 2027:

This well known African American horse owner, trainer, developer, and jockey was born into slavery, 1850. Raised as a stable boy near Midway, he was nicknamed “Brown Dick” after the record-setting racehorse of that name. Brown was associated with great horses such as Asteroid, Ducat, and Kingfisher. Presented by City of Midway and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission.

(Reverse) Noted Horseman – “Brown Dick” worked with Kentucky Derby winners Baden Baden (1877), Ben Brush (1896), and Plaudit (1898). He died at a friend’s house in Louisville, May 1906, of tuberculosis and was returned to Midway for burial. He was inducted into National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame on August 8, 1984. Presented by City of Midway and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission. 

 Midway, Marker 1580

First Kentucky town established by a railroad. In 1831, Lexington and Ohio Railroad Co. began railroad between Lexington and Frankfort and first train reached midway point, 1833. John Francisco farm bought by L&O in 1835; town of Midway laid out by R. C. Hewitt, civil engineer for railroad. Many streets named for L&O officials. Midway incorporated, 1846, by Ky. legislature.

Morgan at Midway, Marker 516:

Taking 300 abandoned USA horses and mules at Versailles, Morgan’s Raiders came here July 15, 1862. Advised of troop train approach from Frankfort he had tracks torn up and howitzers set. Train warned and returned to Frankfort. Morgan took telegraph line and coaxed train at Lexington to come on but it turned back. He and his men reached Georgetown that evening.

Besides its fascinating history, Midway is also the home to several great restaurants and antique shops.