For now, Hopkinsville’s historic Weber Street building still has a story to tell.
Four months after announcing the dilapidated structure would be out for public bid, rather than immediately being razed, Christian County Fiscal Court unanimously approved an amendment to its packet Tuesday morning — creating one important provision in the potential agreement.
According to Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam, the county needs first right of refusal and buyback ability, but only if plans go further south.
Gilliam said the county is “moving pretty quick on this now,” and he expects there will be interest in rehabbing the building for development.
In other fiscal court news:
— Magistrates unanimously approved for the court to be a $300,000 pass-through between the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority and the Kentucky Product Development Initiative, in order to complete a major sewer study on Commerce Park II.
— Delivering the monthly Christian County Regional Animal Shelter report for the month of January, Fiscal Court Executive Assistant Erica Miller noted that the last 45 days have seen more outgoing than incoming animals, an uncommon but “positive” trend.
January, specifically, had 255 incoming and 276 adopted.
— At 9 AM this Saturday, Magistrate Phillip Peterson said the Pembroke Fire Department will be hosting the first of three training sessions focused on swift water rescues. Anyone associated with fire departments within the Pennyrile region, he said, are welcome to attend free of charge.
— Magistrate John Bruce remarked that last month’s visit of the Tennessee Valley Authority for its quarterly board meeting was “very interesting,” as more than 60 regional energy consumers signed up for the public comments observed the night before the main day.
— Magistrate Russ Guffey reaffirmed that the Men2Be organization only continues its efforts of due diligence on the former Attucks High School. The second of three meetings, discussing hopes and dreams for the neglected property, just occurred at Hopkinsville Community College.
Guffey said discussion was “very, very fruitful,” as the building has potential for residential, commercial, public and educational space in the school’s old, but loved, shell.
— Raychel Farmer, executive director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Human Rights Commission, said her office handled almost 40 employment discrimination cases against employers in the community last year, and that this year, she’s already “up to 30.”
In the middle of “Black History Month,” Farmer said they are also in the middle of preparations for “Women’s History Month,” which is March.
— Gilliam also confirmed he has at least two trips scheduled to Washington, D.C., in next month: one to advocate on behalf of Christian County and Fort Campbell for a number of projects, and then later as a member of the Pennyrile Area Development District.
