Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents ask Hopkinsville to pause demolition of Blue Streak and explore rehabilitation
Summary
Several residents and local preservation advocates urged Hopkinsville leaders to pause demolition plans for the Blue Streak/Blue Street printing building, request a structural engineering report, and pursue state and federal rehabilitation incentives and private redevelopment opportunities.
Multiple residents urged the Hopkinsville City Council to halt demolition plans for the Blue Streak (also referenced as the Blue Street printing building) and explore rehabilitation alternatives.
Grace Abernathy told the council that Blue Streak—built in 1912 as The Rex—connects to local cultural history and cited the building’s role in children’s entertainment and a link to journalist Ted Poston. Abernathy recommended the city pursue available financial tools, saying the National Park Service and Kentucky rehabilitation credits can provide demolition‑avoidance options.
Kate Russell, who identified herself with Hopkinsville Brewing Company, asked the council to give Blue Streak the same chance the city afforded the train depot and said the mayor had committed to a structural engineer’s report before determining the building’s fate. Russell suggested the city involve the Kentucky Heritage Council (State Historic Preservation Office) to pursue federal and state rehabilitation tax credits and technical assistance.
Tammy Van Buren, treasurer of the nonprofit Hopkinsville Historic Community, said her group stands ready to assist with fundraising and outreach and asked council members to vote against demolition. She noted her organization’s bylawed purpose includes preservation, education and partnership with local entities.
Mayor James R. Knight Jr. responded that the city owns Blue Streak and adjacent properties and said the city has invested about $1,000,000 in those downtown properties (citing demolition, code enforcement and other costs). He said the city has allocated $500,000 related to the Blue Street building and that a structural engineer has been commissioned to determine whether the building is salvageable; he added that teardown would also carry significant cost if required.
Next steps: the mayor said the city will await the structural engineer’s report before making a final decision about demolition or rehabilitation.
