"WAKE UP LEXINGTON: AN EVENT TO SAVE OUR BLOCK" (March 29)

(Lexington has a small downtown area with only a few cool places to hang out and the powers-that-be have decided to destroy a major part of that cultural scene in order to build a hotel that could easily be located somewhere else--WAKE UP LEXINGTON!!! I think the documentary described below is a project Griffin was putting together in which he was going to collect interviews with younger Lexingtonians about how they envision the future of our city.)

"Preserve Lexington is committed to preserving downtown Lexington's historic fabric, voicing the interests of diverse groups and cultures, and promoting quality infill and design."

Preserve Lexington announces:

"WAKE UP LEXINGTON: AN EVENT TO SAVE OUR BLOCK"

CentrePointe, a $250 million 40-story mixed-use development proposed for downtown Lexington, calls for the demolition of all 14 historic buildings on a block in the heart of downtown and adjacent to the historic and new courthouse plazas. At least ten of the 14 buildings on the block are historically and architecturally significant. These buildings have been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

This block is the center of a thriving entertainment district responsible for luring thousands of people back to the city center and for reviving an all but moribund nightlife downtown. It is also home to the popular Lexington Farmers' Market. Both would be displaced if not eradicated by the proposed development.

CentrePointe has been met with skepticism by many members of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, and with opposition from advocates of historic preservation and supporters of the entertainment district and the Farmers' Market. Local architects have also expressed concerns.

To raise awareness of the consequences of this proposed development and to discuss alternative approaches, Preserve Lexington is sponsoring a public gathering on Saturday, March 29 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the historic Kentucky Theater.

"Wake Up Lexington: An Event to Save the Block" will feature speakers discussing the historic, architectural and cultural importance of this block as well as alternatives to the currently proposed development and other examples of alternative developments from around the United States

Audience members will screen the DEBUT OF A SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM made especially for this event. This film tells the story of this block through the memories of Lexingtonians young and old.

Audience members will also view A MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION OF RARELY SEEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON from the early part of the 20th century.

AN EXHIBIT IN THE THEATER LOBBY will illuminate the issues surrounding this controversial development.

MUSIC and REFRESHMENTS will be provided. And all attendees will receive DISCOUNT COUPONS to locally-owned downtown bars, restaurants and retail establishments.

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For more information or to schedule an interview please contact Preserve Lexington at (859)229-0075 or email info@preservelexington.org.

Preserve Lexington is a non-profit organization formed in 2006 to promote awareness of downtown Lexington's historic and cultural fabric and to serve as an educational resource to the citizens of Fayette County. Through working with existing organizations and stakeholders, Preserve Lexington is committed to preserving downtown Lexington's historic fabric, voicing the interests of diverse groups and cultures, and promoting quality infill and design.