Lexington committee moves downtown master plan toward consultant selection, emphasizes anti‑displacement and public engagement

The General Government and Planning Committee heard an update March 4 on the downtown area master plan process, including that funding is in place and a request for proposals (RFP) is underway to hire a consultant to lead research, outreach and drafting of the plan.

Staff said the project will implement the city’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan placemaking policy and will produce a downtown master plan that, if completed as proposed, would be considered as an amendment to the comprehensive plan.

Senior Long Range Planner Boyd Sayway told the committee the downtown master plan is “a direct response to the 2045 comprehensive plan, specifically placemaking policy number 13, which calls for an update to the downtown master plan.” He said the selected consultant will perform research, lead stakeholder outreach and refine a preliminary infill and redevelopment study area the city provided as a starting point.

Why it matters: Committee members repeatedly emphasized concern about displacement and the need for inclusive public engagement. Council member Lynch asked that anti‑displacement be explicitly included in the consultant scope; staff confirmed that…