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Council approves Liberty Road easement, discusses remediation at Chiloteau Park and UK ROTC use of Hassel Park
Summary
The council approved a small easement to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for Liberty Road improvements, heard that contractors are remediating unsuitable soils at the Chiloteau Park senior-therapeutic center site and discussed a memorandum-of-understanding with UK Army ROTC for Hassel Park use and related signage.
At its May 13 work session the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council approved several routine new-business items and heard staff briefings on park projects and a proposed park use agreement with the University of Kentucky Army ROTC.
Councilmember Gray asked for details about an item (labeled “a”) that grants the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet a 0.026-acre easement to perform improvements along Liberty Road; planning staff confirmed the land transfer is intended to benefit the road and residents near Liberty Park. The council approved that item by voice vote.
Commissioner Ford and Director Conrad described remediation work at the Chiloteau Park site where the city is building a new eight-acre senior therapeutic center. Staff said contractors encountered soils that were not sufficiently firm to support construction; they have begun fortification work to make the foundation suitable before vertical construction continues. Director Conrad described the work as “making the site suitable to hold the facility that’s gonna be built there.”
Council members also discussed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the University of Kentucky Army ROTC to use Hassel Park. Lieutenant Colonel Alan Overmyer, professor of military science at UK Army ROTC, attended public comment to thank the council for Lexington’s support for cadets and staff. Director Conrad and Deputy Director Adrianne Toccoer said staff and UK representatives had worked to craft an agreement that would benefit both the park and the ROTC program. Staff said temporary signage will be used on days of ROTC activities this year and that, in the fall, the city is considering larger banners or more permanent signage to notify users when ROTC activities occur.
Councilmember Gray asked whether adequate signage would tell the public when and where ROTC activities will be held; staff answered that temporary signs and a possible larger banner are planned. Planning staff said the current season has concluded and that future sessions would be communicated in advance.
Routine business: The council approved other routine actions by voice vote during the meeting, including the May 6, 2025 work-session minutes and the allocation of council capital funds. Councilmember Lagree reported out on an Environmental Quality and Public Works committee meeting that included updates on urban forestry efforts and a micro-transit feasibility study from LexTran; those committee items were informational and required no council action.
Ending: Council members said they would continue to follow the Chiloteau Park construction schedule and any follow-up on signage and the Hassel Park MOU as staff finalizes agreements and schedules.
