Consultants gather stakeholder input on Jenkins Revitalization and Resiliency Plan; buyouts, flood mitigation and more prioritized

Eunice Holland, project contact with qk 4 planning engineering, opened a stakeholder meeting in Jenkins to present the Jenkins Revitalization and Resiliency Plan and solicit community priorities for downtown revitalization, flood mitigation, housing and connectivity. The plan is funded through the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and responds to flooding disasters that the consultants said shaped recent local planning work.

Holland summarized prior and regional planning documents that inform the effort, including the CRAD community economic development strategy, a post-2022 flood strategic plan and a county long-term recovery plan and committee called LIFT, as well as a multi-jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan, a 2023 Recreation Economy for Rural Communities workshop, a 2022 county bicycle and pedestrian master plan and a 2018 health-impact assessment tied to Elkhorn Lake improvements. "These previous plans identify common priorities such as downtown beautification, reuse of vacant and flood-impacted properties, parks and community gathering spaces, and infrastructure improvements," Holland said.

Consultants listed projects already funded or underway in Jenkins, citing City Hall ADA renovations, Raven Rock sewer and water extension, Grand View housing infrastructure, Jenkins Sewer inflow-and-infiltration (phase 1 and 2), park renovations, an Elkhorn Lake dam study and stormwater and waterline work. Holland said the city currently has "more than $26,000,000 in projects" that are funded, in design, under construction or slated to proceed as funds are released.

She described properties acquired through FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance and NRCS flood-recovery programs as "buyout properties," explaining that acquired structures are removed and the land is required to remain as open public space with permanent restrictions: "No new residential, commercial, or industrial buildings" and no structures intended for permanent occupancy. Holland said there are "approximately 16 buyout properties that have been acquired so far within the city limits of Jenkins," and listed possible uses including parks, pocket parks, trail connections, streambank restoration, community gardens and passive recreation.

Tom Springer of consultant firm 2 k 4 led an interactive exercise and asked attendees to scan a QR code or use Slido to rank priorities. He walked participants through survey questions on downtown priorities (streetscape/site improvements, public gathering spaces, small-business support, infill development), flood-mitigation options (drainage improvements, stream stabilization, green infrastructure, property buyouts, emergency preparedness), ecotourism investments (trails, access to natural areas, outdoor amenities, heritage tourism) and housing needs (affordable rentals, starter homes, senior and workforce housing, rehab). Priscilla Bowman summarized a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) sidewalk inventory and a June 25 walkability audit that identified gaps and ADA needs; consultants then divided attendees into small groups to mark maps with priorities and concerns.

Holland said consultants will compile stakeholder feedback, email the survey to attendees, do outreach at Jenkins Days, publish a story map and social-media materials, circulate draft recommendations to the city and stakeholders and hold a possible public meeting in November; she said the final plan is expected in December. No formal votes or policy actions were taken at the meeting; consultants will summarize input and provide draft recommendations to city staff.

Questions and technical clarifications raised during the meeting included connectivity challenges for some attendees during the interactive exercise and requests for paper alternatives; consultants acknowledged the issue and said they would email the survey and follow up to ensure broader participation.

The meeting closed after approximately an hour. Holland provided business cards and contact information and encouraged follow-up via phone or email.