Lexington to get new tallest building?

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by sandman1

A waste of fine historic buildings? Those buildings were dumps and an eye sore to the city. It is funny how no one seemed to care about them when they were there but once someone wanted to tear them down everyone came out of the woodwork to save them. If they meant so much to everyone why weren't they treated better or restored or taken better care of. No one was up in arms about the historic buildings until they were being torn down. They were ugly and needed to go. Had people practiced what they preached and cared as much as they say they did the buildings could have been better maintained and maybe they wouldn't have been a wreck and begging to be torn down. Would you like some sweet tea?

I attended many fine shows in one of those "dumps," the Dame. Lexington needs to appreciate its history more and not try to turn into some crappy southern sprawlbelt town like Charlotte (news flash, its not gonna happen with Louisville the kingpin in the state).

Lexington should model itself after a place like Charleston, SC, where history and culture match wonderfully. Historic buildings are never eyesores unless they are left to rot, in which case they should be rehabbed!

[cartomanlex]

Central Kentucky already has its communities the blend history and culture, they are called Paris, Berea and Danville. They are filled with historic buildings and people to go along with them. Lexington is the economic engine of the central part of the state and as such need to exhibit more leadership than being first in pleasure horses. Thoroughbreds are working horses like porn stars are actors, neither does any useful thing, it is all for someone elses pleasure.

The "dumps" that were removed, were empty husks of a bygone era and of little use to anyone except for the first floor retail sales floors. This was one of the most underutilized blocks in the city. The Dame was not going to rehab the building even if they owned it, it is not in their business model. Not then and not now in their new location.

[censusdata]

In a downtown area I'd always prefer for new buildings to be built on parking lots before any older buildings are leveled. Since that block is already gone I hope the more classic design is built for CP.

The main things I'd like to see done in Downtown Lexington would be the razing and rebuilding of that AWFUL looking government building at Main & MLK Blvd and something built on the parking lot next to that ugly looking KU parking garage on Vine Street

[QCP]

Originally Posted by stx12499

But I hope someone in KY can get some skyscrapers going up because right now we have a whole lot of midrises under construction!

Why the infatuation with size? A skyscraper does very little to change the overall feel of a city. Lexington is not a skyscraper type city - that's just a fact and there is nothing wrong with that. I personally think that the midrises are actually much more effective in creating a true urban feel. Instead of worrying about building taller and competing with cities out of it's league, Lex should pattern it's urban development after what Greenville, SC has done. This city, which I discovered by accident, sets the standard in the Southeast for small cities. When I saw these pictures I was blown away: http://www.city-data.com/forum/green...enjoyment.html

This thread inspired me to take a visit. It definitely lived up to the hype in real-life. I find this to be a realistic goal for Lexington's downtown. What do you all think?