A public meeting focusing on neighborhoods in transition attracted well over a hundred people Thursday night in Lexington. The often cited term “gentrification” appeared to be on the minds of many participants.
The discussion included gentrification, the practice of buying up properties in low income areas which can lead to displacement of residents. Residents also talked about code enforcement, policing, and affordable housing funding. People gathered around scores of tables discussing issues and possible solutions. Local resident Danny Woolums said his group wondered about finding financial means within an existing neighborhood. “So we were talking about ways to identify those within communities and help them invest, help them spread their wealth in their own communities as opposed to trying to find all this outside wealth and bringing it in,” said Woolums.
Speaking on behalf of her table, local resident Kiah Arnold said extending residential areas a bit onto horse farm properties could help meet housing needs. “There’s really not a lot of places for people to go, so that’s why people are revitalizing these homes and gentrifying these areas. They’re buying up these low property value places and just rebuilding and flipping, because there’s really no where else to go,” noted Arnold.
A long list of suggestions were recorded to pass on to members of the task force working on neighborhood transition issues. Council Member James Brown anticipates a formal report from the task force to come next year.
Lexington Council Member and Neighborhoods in Transition Task Force Member James Brown on last night's public meeting:
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