Author: Tom Eblen

City engineers have asked for a two-week postponement of Thursday’s meeting about the  storm sewer project to improve standing water and storm runoff on Cramer Avenue, Mentelle Park and North Hanover Avenue.

The meeting is now scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 19, in the meeting room in back of the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave.  You can  Click here to see and download the updated design drawings for the project.

Engineers will be at the meeting to answer your questions and listen to any concerns you have about the plans before final engineering drawings are completed. They also will discuss the project timeline. Also, someone from Streets & Roads will be there to hear your ideas for improving the crosswalk at Cramer and North Ashland avenues by Ashland Elementary School as part of the project.

City engineers will be available Thursday evening to update Mentelle neighborhood residents on the storm sewer project to improve standing water and storm runoff on Cramer Avenue, Mentelle Park and North Hanover Avenue. Also, someone from Streets & Roads will be there to hear your ideas for improving the crosswalk at Cramer and North Ashland avenues by Ashland Elementary School as part of the project.

The briefing is planned for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at the meeting room in back of the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Avenue.  Click here to see and download the updated design drawings for the project. Engineers will be at the meeting to answer your questions and listen to any concerns you have about the plans before final engineering drawings are completed. They also will discuss the project timeline.

A message from your 3rd District Councilmember:

City engineers will be available March 5 to update Mentelle neighborhood residents on the storm sewer project to improve standing water and storm runoff on Cramer Avenue, Mentelle Park and North Hanover Avenue.

The briefing is planned for 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at the meeting room in back of the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Avenue.  Click here to see and download the updated design drawings for the project. Engineers will be at the meeting to answer your questions and listen to any concerns you have about the plans before final engineering drawings are completed. They also will discuss the project timeline.

I also will be there, along with my legislative aid Reina Slaymaker, to talk with you about this project or any other concerns or ideas you have related to city government.

Mayor Linda Gorton today appointed me to serve the remaining 11 months of Hannah LeGris’ term as the 3^rd District representative on the Urban County Council.

To avoid conflicts of interest, I am resigning as president of the Mentelle Neighborhood Association. Vice President Shelby Reynolds will lead the association until elections at the annual membership meeting this fall.

When the mayor asked me to take on this job, I realized it was a great opportunity for public service. I will work as hard as I can on behalf of our district, and our city. Of course, I will remain involved in our neighborhood, just in a different role.

Hannah, a longtime resident of Mentelle neighborhood, did an outstanding job during her five years on Council. She stepped down last month to take a fulltime job with city government as Lexington’s first access and engagement officer.

In January 2027, I will pass the Council job on to the winner of the November election. Two candidates are running: Griffin VanMeter and Jon Larson. Until then, please reach out if I can be of service as your 3^rd District councilmember.

Chad Walker, owner of the Warehouse Block development along National and North Ashland avenues, asked me to pass this along:

The Mentelle Neighborhood Association is among the Lexington organizations partnering with CivicLex to host a screening of this film at the Kentucky Theatre at 7 p.m. Thursday. “Join or Die” is a film about how joining a club can transform you and your community. This is a a pay-what-you-want event, and it should be fun! Click here to get tickets and more information.

The Mentelle Neighborhood had its annual membership meeting Tuesday evening at the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave. Members elected officers for the coming year and heard presentations from our state legislator, district Council member, the city planning staff and the Warehouse Block’s owner.

Boyd Sewe and Hal Baillie of the city’s Division of Planning talked about the proposed Downtown Master Plan. More information about the plan is at downtownlexplan.com. The website also has a new, refined survey to help citizens offer comments about the plan. The Urban County Council will eventually decide whether to approve the final plan.

Anne Gay Donworth, a Democrat who represents the 76^th legislative district in the Kentucky House of Representative, spoke about two issues of neighborhood interest: new legislation and enforcement to stop overnight drag racing down Richmond and Winchester roads; and efforts backed by Airbnb and other special interests to prevent Lexington and other cities from regulating short-term rentals. Such legislation, which is opposed by Lexington officials and most neighborhoods, has failed in the past two General Assembly sessions. But it is likely to be back when legislators meet again in January.

Hannah LeGris, Lexington’s Third District Council member who lives in our neighborhood, discussed street safety issues and other topics before the Council. She also introduced her new legislative aide, Reina Slaymaker. You can sign up for Hannah’s regular newsletter to constituents here.

Chad Walker, owner of the Warehouse Block, discussed plans for the new parking lot and green space under construction along National Avenue between Mirror Twin Brewing and the building that houses Blue Door Smokehouse, Sav’s Chill and several other businesses. He is seeking ideas for design and use of that green space, which will be bisected by the concrete pad that will continue hosting the Lexington Farmers Market’s Tuesday and Thursday markets. Chad also said he plans to restart his informal “advisory committee” meetings next year, where neighborhood residents can get updates and express concerns.

MNA members elected the following slate of officers, as recommended by the nominating committee. There were no nominations from the floor. Officers are listed with the street where they live: President Tom Eblen (Mentelle Park); Vice President Shelby Reynolds (Aurora); Secretary Esther Hurlburt (Given); Treasurer  Beth Hellebusch (Franklin); Board members Laura Beth O’Bryan (North Ashland), Katie Mueller-White (Aurora), Stephanie Poole (Mentelle Park, D’lorah Hughes (Hambrick) and Jenn McMullen (Hanover Court). All except Jenn McMullen were incumbents.

The Mentelle Neighborhood Association’s annual membership meeting is tonight (Tuesday, Oct. 28)  at 7 p.m. at the meeting room behind the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave.

At this meeting, we will elect officers and board members for the coming year and get updates from Third District Council Member Hannah LeGris, who lives in our neighborhood, and Warehouse Block Owner Chad Walker. This is also your opportunity to suggest and get involved in neighborhood committees, activities and issues.

If you cannot attend in person, we hope to be able to stream it on Zoom. Click here to connect to the meeting.

A nominating committee of two board members and three other members will offer a slate of officer and board candidates, but additional nominations from the floor are welcome. Here are the committee’s recommendations. (All are incumbents except Jenn McMullen. Each candidate is listed with the street where they live.)

President:  Tom Eblen (Mentelle Park)

Vice President:  Shelby Reynolds (Aurora)

Secretary:  Esther Hurlburt (Given)

Treasurer:  Beth Hellebusch (Franklin)

Board members:

Laura Beth O’Bryan (North Ashland)

Katie Mueller-White (Aurora)

Stephanie Poole (Mentelle Park)

D’lorah Hughes (Hambrick)

Jenn McMullen (Hanover Court)

The Mentelle Neighborhood Association’s annual membership meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at the meeting room behind the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave.

At this meeting, we will elect officers and board members for the coming year and get updates from Third District Council Member Hannah LeGris, who lives in our neighborhood, and Warehouse Block Owner Chad Walker. This is also your opportunity to suggest and get involved in neighborhood committees, activities and issues.

A nominating committee of two board members and three other members will offer a slate of officer and board candidates, but additional nominations from the floor are welcome.

The Mentelle Neighborhood Association’s annual membership meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the meeting room behind the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass, 162 N. Ashland Ave. All MNA members are encouraged to attend.

The main purpose of the meeting is to elect officers and board members for the coming year. If you are interested in running for a board seat or office, please email Vice President Shelby Reynolds, who is chair of the nominating committee.  Click here to see a list of current officers and board members.

Also on the agenda: Third District Council Member Hannah LeGris will be there to speak briefly and answer your questions.  We also may have updates from Warehouse Block owner Chad Walker and the city engineers working on the neighborhood storm sewer project.