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Historic Downtown Murray Property Owners Share Concerns, Brainstorm Ideas for Revitalization

Whitney Jones

Downtown Murray property owners gathered last night to share concerns and ideas for the area’s future as it recovers from a year of disasters, including collapses and a fire.

The meeting comes after Murray Main Street held two town halls to discuss the community’s wishes, where a few property owners were present.

Steve Sexton, who owns several properties along Main Street, says his biggest concern is ensuring all buildings downtown are structurally sound and maintained.

“Because no one wants to come down and put $75,000 or $100,000 into a building that they’re renting or buying and having to worry about it falling down on them,” he said.

Other concerns from property owners include city regulations against signage and advertising, parking, maintaining the historic feel of downtown and attracting more entertainment venues and businesses.

Bobbie Bryant with the Kentucky League of Cities facilitated the round table discussions and is taking the comments back to the agency in Lexington to compile before the information is presented to the Murray City Council.

Murray Mayor Jack Rose says the next step toward revitalization is presenting the compiled information to city council, who can then decide how it is able to help business and property owners. Many city council members were at the meeting.

“Anything that they come up with that promotes the revitalization of downtown Murray that’s legal and we can afford as a city I’d recommend that we’d do it.” Rose said.

He added one idea brought to his attention is a multi-level parking garage, but he says that is currently not an option for the city due to its expense.

Anyone wishing to add their concerns or ideas for downtown, can contact City Hall.

Whitney grew up listening to Car Talk to and from her family’s beach vacation each year, but it wasn’t until a friend introduced her to This American Life that radio really grabbed her attention. She is a recent graduate from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., where she studied journalism. When she’s not at WKMS, you can find her working on her backyard compost pile and garden, getting lost on her bicycle or crocheting one massive blanket.
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