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Paducah approves contract for Hotel Metropolitan and Purple Room renovations
Summary
The commission approved a contract to renovate the historic Hotel Metropolitan and its Purple Room using Mellon grant funds; community members praised the effort to preserve the historic Black‑owned hotel while staff said work could begin quickly once the contract is executed.
Paducah commissioners voted to approve a contract for capital improvements to the Hotel Metropolitan and the Purple Room, a project staff said is supported by a 2024 Mellon grant and intended to restore a historic downtown landmark.
City staff told commissioners the contract—listed on the agenda as with “Ray Black and Sun Incorporated” and in discussion variously referenced as Ray Blackson and Chris Black—would fund exterior and interior renovations and begin with window replacements. Staff said the city’s co‑stewardship agreement anticipated the city taking the lead in facilitating these capital improvements following the grant award.
Members of the public celebrated the vote. Miss Betty, who spoke during the meeting, called the renovation “a blessing” and noted the Hotel Metropolitan’s history as a Green Book stop important to Black travelers and tourism; she encouraged swift progress and praised staff for moving toward an executive director for the hotel effort.
Commissioners recorded a roll‑call vote in favor of the municipal order; staff said the contractor expected to begin work as soon as the contract was approved and could start window work the following week. The commission authorized the mayor to sign documents related to the contract.
The contract award and renovation schedule did not include a firm completion date in the meeting discussion; staff said they would coordinate construction timing to allow tours and public access where possible.
