Private fundraising begins for Town Branch Commons

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)-  A winding downtown park, following the path of Lexington’s historic water source gets a thumbs up from the Urban County Council for private fundraising.

According to the Council, it recently authorized the Blue Grass Community Foundation to start efforts to raise $50 million to help build and maintain Town Branch Commons. The park system will be nearly two miles including parks, water features, enhanced streetscapes and bike/pedestrian friendly infrastructure.

“Town Branch Commons is a transformative project for our city that will link two existing trail systems: the Town Branch Trail and the Legacy Trail. It’s an important investment in transportation safety improvements and quality of life,” Mayor Jim Gray said. “A strategic plan is in place that implements a broad public-private partnership, including state and local government, civic groups, non-profit organizations and private philanthropy. The Blue Grass Community Foundation has the experience and innovative leadership to meet fundraising goals.”

The Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to grow charitable giving and improve quality of life throughout the community. Funds raised will also go toward upkeep for the park system.

“Blue Grass Community Foundation is excited to guide the effort, in partnership with community leaders, to raise $50 million in private philanthropic funding,” said Lisa Adkins, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Town Branch Commons will have a lasting impact on our city and region, but it also offers the unique opportunity to organize and catalyze philanthropy at a completely new level for Lexington.”

It was in 2012, when the design and planning for Town Branch Commons began, according to organizers. The Downtown Development Authority held an international design competition that led to a master plan.

Developed by SCAPE/Landscape Architecture, the path for the Commons stretches from the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden at Third Street & Midland Avenue, down Vine Street, to the Distillery District at Oliver Lewis Way. It incorporates Lexington’s limestone topography to reshape the corridor with defined spaces for water, pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicular traffic.               In addition to private fundraising for Town Branch Commons, the City is seeking a $13 million federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant that would be matched by $10 million in local funds and nearly $1 million from Lextran.