Owensboro commission approves purchase of two downtown lots for future development and interim parking

The Owensboro Board of Commissioners voted on Oct. 7 to approve two municipal orders authorizing the mayor to execute purchase agreements for parcels at 315 and 317 Walnut Street. City staff told the commission the purchases move the city toward assembling more than 90% of the block immediately west of the indoor sports facility; interim uses may include parking for the sports facility and other downtown events.

City manager explained that Roberts Brothers Automotive and Sunlight Studios occupy portions of the block and that the city currently owns most of the block. The stated purchase prices were $100,000 for 315 Walnut Street and $115,000 for 317 Walnut Street. The manager said the acquisitions would be part of a longer‑term development strategy to eventually acquire the entire block.

A motion and second were made for each municipal order. Commissioners voted "Aye" and the mayor declared both motions carried. The vote was recorded in the meeting as unanimous 'Aye' calls with no roll‑call tally printed in the transcript. Commissioners noted that these purchases will remove the parcels from the tax rolls while enabling planned public uses and future development.

The commission then moved into other agenda items; the closed‑session motion later in the meeting referenced future acquisitions and sales of property under KRS 61.810(1)(b).