We need your help to save downtown's Phoenix Park. After the Lexington council failed to pass the most recent proposal for a new city hall, Councilwoman Susan Lamb proposed the council consider Phoenix Park as a possible site for a new city hall.  The council scheduled a workshop to discuss Phoenix Park for September 27.

Phoenix Park was originally intended to be a “free speech” park and sits at the center of the city.  You’ve likely walked through the park on your way to watch a parade, let your dog play in the dog park, grabbed lunch at one of the food trucks during the summer, attended a ceremony at the police and fire memorials or perhaps your children have attended one of the outdoor summer actives hosted by the library. 

We have a limited amount of green space and parks downtown, it’s important that we preserve it.  Phoenix Park plays a vital role for the many festivals and parades and it serves as a central gathering place downtown. 

There is no doubt that Lexington needs a new city hall, but if we learned anything about the most recent failed proposal, we learned that there needs to be more feedback and more consensus on the future location. 

It’s important that your voice is heard, let council know that you want to save Phoenix Park. 

Key issues to consider:

·         Phoenix Park serves as an overflow for many of the parades and festivals that are held downtown

·         The library utilizes the park for summer kids’ programs

·         It is environmentally irresponsible to replace a park with a building

·         The development of the park would hinder future development/renovations of the library

·         It would have a negative impact on Panera Bread

·         It would make Park Plaza less desirable to future residents

·         Anything built higher than 7 stories would obstruct the views of residents at Park Plaza

·         The police and fire memorials are in the park

·         Lexington will always have a homeless population, the park is a central gathering place for them, if the park is eliminated, they will be displaced into other areas of downtown

·         Anderson Communities made a $75,000 investment to build the dog park located in Phoenix Park, this year the parks department spent $10,000 to make improvements to the park.  This is the only dog park located inside New Circle Rd. and has been extremely popular among downtown residents and visitors with dogs

·         A development in the park will have a negative impact on Park Plaza residents