News Summary
On January 27, 2025, Mayor Linda Gorton delivered the annual State of the City address, highlighting Lexington’s accomplishments and future initiatives amidst its 250th anniversary. Emphasizing progress in affordable housing, economic development, and community safety, she outlined plans for new infrastructure and employment opportunities, while addressing public safety improvements through technology. Lexington is on track for a transformative year with substantial investments and partnerships aimed at enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Exciting Times Ahead for Lexington: Mayor Gorton Shares Updates and Future Goals
On January 27, 2025, Lexington buzzed with energy as Mayor Linda Gorton delivered her annual State of the City address. This speech, presented to the Lexington Forum at the Central Bank Center and Rupp Arena, was her seventh and came at a significant milestone—Lexington’s 250th anniversary. What better time to reflect on the past while setting the stage for an even brighter future?
Forward-Thinking Initiatives
Mayor Gorton isn’t slowing down, emphasizing the importance of continuous change and improvement for the community. Over the past two years, she honed in on critical issues like reducing homicide rates and striving to combat non-fatal shootings. There were significant increases in investments related to affordable housing, with the city overseeing a whopping $121 million in infrastructure upgrades funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
As Gorton enters her second year of her second term (having been re-elected in 2022), the city is buzzing with progress. Lexington boasts its highest employment rate in history, with over 178,000 residents gainfully employed as of October 2024. The Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland even highlighted Lexington as the top performer for job growth in the Midwest, boasting a solid growth rate of 5.5% since the pandemic hit.
Economic Development and Job Creation
The city’s robust economy is fueled, in part, by the wage tax, which contributes over 60% of the city’s budget. Looking ahead, construction is set to ramp up this year on the grand 200-acre Legacy Business Park. This development is expected to bring approximately 1,700 jobs. But that’s not the only partnership in the works—Fayette County has joined forces with Madison, Scott, and Berea to establish Central Kentucky’s first public regional business park in Berea. Talk about teamwork!
A notable development plan for a 17-acre parking lot right across from the Central Bank Center is on the horizon too. The plan includes not just parking garages, but also apartments and retail spaces. It all adds up to create a lively urban atmosphere in Lexington!
Housing and Community Initiatives
In 2024, the city opened 577 affordable living units and allocated $4.7 million for affordable housing initiatives this year. Lexington also received a generous $2 million federal grant to help seniors adapt their homes for better living conditions. Homelessness services are on the rise, too, with federal funding projected to increase by 8.8% next year, allowing over 99% of the city’s requested funds to be fulfilled.
Safer Streets and Cutting-Edge Technology
Thanks to a concerted effort, homicides in Lexington dropped from 44 in 2022 to just 22 in 2024. That’s a substantial 10% decrease from the preceding year! Meanwhile, reported shooting victims aged 10 to 29 saw a dramatic 68% reduction. Mayor Gorton attributes this positive shift to the outstanding work of the Lexington Police Department and innovative programs like One Lexington.
Before this leap forward, the city invested in cutting-edge crime-solving tech, including the Flock license plate readers and a real-time intelligence unit, which have enhanced the police’s ability to tackle crime effectively. The city’s emergency response teams have also seen improvements, adding 12 new firefighters and progressing towards full staffing at the Fayette County Detention Center.
Upcoming Green Spaces and Infrastructure
After 25 long years of planning, the Cardinal Run North regional park, featuring a dog park, trails, and sports courts, is officially set to open later this year. Meanwhile, the eagerly anticipated Kelley’s Landing park, which will provide public access to the gorgeous Kentucky River, is also on track to open partly in 2025. A new pool at Douglass Park is set to be unveiled soon, much to the delight of residents.
A Smooth Winter Ahead?
While Mayor Gorton didn’t cover the city’s challenges regarding winter storms, she did announce plans to improve snow clearing efforts. Lexington will hire additional snowplows and contractors for future storms—a move that many in the community will surely appreciate!
Though she did not dive into national politics or respond to public complaints during her address, the mayor clearly has her eye on pushing Lexington forward, focusing on progress, community safety, and economic stability.
As this vibrant city continues to evolve, Lexingtonians can be proud of the strides made and the exciting plans ahead!
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum News 1
- Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
- Kentucky.com
- Google Search: Lexington mayor address 2025
- Lex 18 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lexington, Kentucky
- Fox 56 News
- Google News: Lexington mayor Gorton
- WKYT News
- Lane Report
