Pikeville is a small city of about 7,000 residents. Our community depends on locally accessible businesses, especially for seniors and long-time residents who rely on nearby stores within walking distance.

 

Recently, Pikeville Medical Center purchased the Town & Country Shopping Center, which currently houses multiple locally used businesses, including the discount grocery store Super Dollar.

 

This shopping center serves many Pikeville residents who depend on affordable and accessible stores. When large institutions purchase entire commercial centers, it raises serious concerns about the future availability of those businesses and the long-term loss of retail space for the public.

 

Pikeville already hosts major facilities operated by University of Pikeville and Pikeville Medical Center. While these institutions play an important role in the region, the city must also protect access to local businesses and services for the residents who live here year-round.

 

We respectfully call on the Pikeville City Commission to:

 

1. Review the impact of the Town & Country Shopping Center purchase on local residents and businesses.

2. Protect affordable grocery and retail access for Pikeville residents.

3. Require public review and city approval before large institutions purchase major commercial centers within city limits.

4. Establish safeguards to prevent excessive concentration of commercial property in the hands of a small number of institutions.

 

Pikeville’s future should balance institutional growth with the needs of the residents who call this city home.

 

By signing this petition, we ask the City legislature to protect access to local businesses and ensure Pikeville remains a community built for its residents.