Planning commission briefed on downtown master plan update, public engagement plans

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Planning Commission on Aug. 21 heard an introduction to a one‑year update of the downtown master plan and an overview of early public engagement from consultant MKSK.

MKSK principal Andy Knight told the commission the firm began work under a May 16 contract and has been conducting stakeholder interviews, market and housing analysis, and a tree canopy inventory. Knight said MKSK will lead three rounds of public engagement — a listening session, an ideas‑testing workshop and a final public celebration — and is planning its first full public workshop for early October at the Lyric Theater.

Why it matters: The update is intended to be both community driven and data driven and to produce implementable actions, zoning recommendations and funding options that staff and decision‑makers can use when considering downtown land‑use changes.

Knight described the project team and coordination: MKSK is the prime firm supported by Development Strategies (market/development analysis), WSP (transportation/mobility),…