Tom Eblen

El Cid evicted from National Avenue; neighbors welcome at press conference

New from Chad Walker, owner of The Warehouse Block properties:

At 9 a.m. today, Walker Properties retook possession of the property located at 701 National Ave., formerly leased by El Cid. This conclusion comes after months of delays attempting to evict the tenant.

Considering the attention the shooting tragedy has received, we will hold a press conference at noon on Thursday, Aug. 15 at the site. During that time, we will make a followup statement and allow certain community and business owners to speak. We will also announce a neighborhood adoption of a special day of appreciation for our first responders whose heroic actions and quick response secured the area immediately following this senseless act. (The press conference will begin promptly at noon, with the doors open at 11:30 a.m. for set-up. I would expect the conference to last a half-hour.)

I am asking that this conference be limited to invitees only (including Mentelle neighborhood residents), rather than an open invitation to the general public. We hope you can attend. Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Chad T Walker

859 227-0774

Warehouse Block owner responds to deadly shooting on National Avenue

One man was killed and five others wounded in a shooting early Saturday morning at the El Cid building at the corner of National Avenue and Walton Avenue. Here are links to the news reports from the Lexington Herald-Leader, WKYT-TV , WTVQ-TV and WLEX-TV

Warehouse Block owner Chad Walker had this statement:

Dear Neighbors,

Early Saturday morning, a shooting occurred at 701 National Ave., occupied by El Cid. In an effort to keep everyone informed, I will relay everything we know about the incident. We have been attempting to evict El Cid for months for a multitude of reasons, including changing the initial approved concept from restaurant to “club.” This is the first full eviction Walker Properties has had to endure in 15 years. On Wednesday this past week, a judge issued a final writ that mandated El Cid vacate the building on or before Monday, Aug. 12.

Fortunately, we had just installed a camera that captured the event. I can confirm this was not a “drive-by shooting” and was likely not “random.” Video evidence that captured the entirety of the event was turned over to the Lexington Police Department.

Our thoughts and hearts go out to the victim’s family, first and foremost. We strive to be a community-driven neighborhood that places safety above all else. My personal gauge is that I want a neighborhood my nieces can visit anytime, day or night, and not feel threatened. Unfortunately, no manner of safety protocols could have prevented the incident last night. The shooter stopped, exited the vehicle and opened fire for about four seconds.

Thanks to the immediate response of the Lexington Police Department, the area was secured within five minutes following the initial shot. I was alerted this morning and immediately met with Lexington Police to review evidence footage.

Our neighborhood is strong. Not one business elected to stay closed today. I am hosting an event right across the street at Epping’s tonight, and I’m not changing my schedule. I feel confident the shooter will be caught very soon. If you would like to speak with me direct, my door is always open.

Thanks for the support and have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Chad T. Walker

859 227-0774

Save the date! Home & Garden Tour

For the first time since 2019, Mentelle neighborhood will have a home and garden tour as a fundraiser for the neighborhood association. The tour will be Sunday, Sept. 15 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Several homes and gardens will be featured. It’s a great opportunity to appreciate the beautiful architecture and landscaping of our neighborhood — and to invite your friends to enjoy it, too! Tickets will cost $10 with cash, $12 with card and will be available that day on the Mentelle Park median closest to Cramer Avenue. More details to come!

A fun event at Trifecta Glass Studio

Thanks to everyone who came out for the neighborhood social event Sunday afternoon at Trifecta Glass Studio on Walton Avenue. The glass piece made during the demonstration sold for $950, a portion of which will benefit the Mentelle Neighborhood Association. (Photos by Shelby Reynolds)

If you want to support more social events like this for you and your neighbors, please join the Mentelle Neighborhood Association if you are not already a member. Click here for more information.

Trifecta Glass Studio social is Sunday!

Mentelle neighborhood residents and their families are invited to a glass blowing demonstration and social event on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Trifecta Glass-Art-Lounge, 243 Walton Ave. A silent auction will determine who gets to take the glass piece home. Proceeds will go to the Mentelle Neighborhood Association. Well-behaved children are welcome if closely supervised by parents. Click here for more information about our neighbor, Trifecta.

Neighborhood social at Trifecta Glass!

Mentelle neighborhood residents and their families are invited to a glass blowing demonstration and social event on Sunday, June 23, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Trifecta Glass-Art-Lounge, 243 Walton Ave. A silent auction will determine who gets to take the glass piece home. Proceeds will go to the Mentelle Neighborhood Association. Click here for more information about our neighbor, Trifecta.

Farmers’ Market coming to Mentelle!

Mentelle neighborhood is about to get even better!

The Lexington Farmers’ Market is preparing for the grand opening of its Tuesday – Thursday market June 4 in the Warehouse Block. To get used to the space and allow the farmers and staff time to work on details, the market is hosting four neighborhood preview days — like a “soft launch.”

Neighborhood preview dates are May 21, 23, 28 and 30, roughly starting at 7 a.m. and continuing through around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. The market will have many farmers but they may not be in the same spot each week. There likely will be adjustments to layout and logistics after each session, and the market will seek customer feedback on what is working and what isn’t.

But it will be great having the Tuesday-Thursday market, which formerly was at the corner of South Broadway and Maxwell Street near Rupp Arena, within walking distance of our homes.

Hambrick Block Party is May 19th

From MNA board member D’lorah Hughes:

The second annual Hambrick Avenue Block Party is next Sunday, May 19, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. All Mentelle neighborhood residents are invited for food, fun, and community-building. Please bring your own drink and a dish/snack to share!

Hambrick Avenue will be blocked off, so please walk or park on Ashland or Walton avenues. We’ll have:

balloon art by local artist Twist & Shout
a visit from the Lexington Fire Department – truck arrives at 4 p.m.
sidewalk chalk and bubbles
cornhole, Jenga, pickleball and other yard games
a bounce house for the kids
And more!

We hope you’ll join us!

Thanks from the median committee

From Jill and Ray DeBolt, chairs of the Mentelle median committee:

A huge thank you to all those who have donated their time to keeping the Mentelle median beautiful!

We had a dedicated work crew on Saturday, April 20th, who weeded and mulched the beds: Ray and Jill Debolt, Gil Dunn, Tom Lillich, Shelby Reynolds and Barb Wagoner.

Many neighbors have contributed to keeping the median looking nice throughout the year: Janet Howard and her grandson cleaned out the naturalized bed and maintained the bed on the 3rd median, Barb Wagoner has spent many hours working on the Richmond Road entrance bed, and the Eblen and Giancarlo families picked up sticks prior to the Easter egg hunt. Many more have contributed by picking up trash and other unsightly deposits, caring for trees etc.

Thanks to all who have contributed an estimated 50 hours of sweat equity over this past year!

Book and plant swap is today!

Have any extra books, plants, cuttings or seeds you would like to share with neighbors? (And get a few for yourself?) Then come to the neighborhood Plant & Book Swap in the Mentelle Park median nearest Cramer Avenue today, beginning at 2 p.m.

While you’re swapping and socializing, there will be a wine tasting by a local wine merchant. If you want to participate, there is a suggested donation of $5 per person.