What's Bad About Richmond? (Berea: apartments, construction, college)

[eatyourvegetables]

Hello.
I am very interested in possibly relocating to Richmond, KY. I have heard plenty of great things about Richmond but am starting to wonder, what's wrong with it? lol. Are there certain areas of the town that I should stay away from? Any dangerous areas? Where is the safest place to live? In general, what's bad about Richmond. Any info is great. Thanks!

[Bostonredsock5]

I wnet ot EKU and lived in Richmond year round for about three. I loved it. I think the main problem was the traffic. everyone seems to be on the bypass and it makes a long drive from one end of the town to the other. I used side roads alot. Also, I lived in the foxglove apartments by Gibson bay,and around there they had some less than great places. All in all though I love Richmond, and it's getting bigger more stores are being added, good choice.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by eatyourvegetables

Hello.
In general, what's bad about Richmond. Any info is great. Thanks!

Nothing that I can think of. Although, the Bluegrass Army Depot is an area I would rather not have as my neighbor. West and South of Richmond seems to be where most of the growth is taking place. There's a huge new shopping center under construction off the interstate called Richmond Centre. And it's already been mentioned that traffic on the Eastern Bypass can be bad.

[eatyourvegetables]

Yikes! The Bluegrass Army Depot sounds terrifying! Where is it located in Richmond? (N, E, S, W???) And is the water contaminated because of this facility?

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by eatyourvegetables

Yikes! The Bluegrass Army Depot sounds terrifying! Where is it located in Richmond? (N, E, S, W???) And is the water contaminated because of this facility?

Bluegrass Army Depot is the site where many of the US military's nerve and biological weapons have been stored for many decades. When I was in college at UK in the early 70's, the Army wanted to destroy the weapons, but the public outcry prevented the transportation of those weapons, so now some 30 plus years later, the destruction is going to be done on-site.

But that being said, a key to Richmond's reputation occured to me several years ago when I tried to find the county's property valuation administrator (PVA). It was during that research, I discovered that Kentucky, which has 120 counties, has only 119 PVA's while Madison County still has a Tax Commissioner. The change from Tax Commissioner to PVA was made by the Kentucky Legislature in the circa 1968. It might also be noted that the PVA is supposed to inspect all properties occasionally to ascertain all property's fair market value. I found it odd that the Tax Commissioner or properly PVA had photo's of all the Richmond area properties, but none of Berea or Waco.

Interesting, maybe or maybe not, but very indictive of Richmond's backwards attitude with regard to government.

[eatyourvegetables]

Hmm...that is interested.

But, does anyone know where the depot is locating in richmond (N, E, S, or W). And is the water contaminated in the town?

[tomocox]

Originally Posted by eatyourvegetables

Hmm...that is interested.

But, does anyone know where the depot is locating in richmond (N, E, S, or W). And is the water contaminated in the town?

The depot is south of town on US 25 towards Berea. No, it is safe in every way right now.

[eatyourvegetables]

I noticed on one of my maps that it says there's an industrial park called "Bluegrass Station." Is the depot near this station? Also, what kind of industries (factories) are in Richmond? Lastly, is there a certain area of Richmond that's run down and you'd recommend not living in?

[Bostonredsock5]

My room mate was a fire guy at EKU, and his Prof told him that if there were ever a fire at the Depot the falmes would be so strong they would destroy the chemicals and there really wasnt anything to worry about. I would belive some one with a masters and former fire fighter.

[EclecticEars]

I'm not a Richmond fan. Some of the townspeople don't, uhmmmm...keep up with appearances. Meaning, Richmond is not a poor or lazy community but some choose to dress in a scroungy manner thinking it's more "country," when in fact it really isn't "country." I think a person from out-of-state could only move here and live a while to really begin to understand it.

EKU has a beautiful campus and a large shopping center is going up along KY 876. Otherwise, Richmond isn't a very nice town at all.