HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A special called Hopkinsville City Council meeting was held Nov. 26, where councilmembers settled on a way to secure additional funding for the new Rotary Park development at Pardue Lane.
Present members unanimously passed a municipal order that would allocate $436,003 of unused FEMA funds to the budget for the park. “I think we are doing the right thing for the city,” said Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight after the vote.
The city was initially granted $727,003 by FEMA following the storms in March of 2023. The money covered the cost of the city’s extensive debris removal and other expenses, with only $196,000 of the grant being spent. In February, councilmembers discussed these leftover funds, and City CFO Melissa Clayton confirmed that there were no limitations to what can be done with the money. It could be moved to the city’s capital fund or general fund for use.
Park funding
Although a portion of the park’s costs are covered by multiple grants and a donation from Hopkinsville Rotary Club for the playground, it was discovered in September that construction bids were nearly $1 million over budget. In response to this setback, Hopkinsville Public Works Director Mike Perry stated that they plan to split the project in two, only accepting bids for the southside portion of the park while also downsizing the sidewalk sizes to lower cost. This would leave the northside unfinished until additional funding is available.
By absorbing the FEMA funds, the city now has an additional $400,000 at their disposal to move forward with the project. Mayor Knight added that during the next city council meeting on Dec. 3, representatives with Miracle Playground will have a presentation revealing more details about what the ADA accessible playground will look like and determine how much more money needs to be raised. Bids will open for the park again on Dec. 5 at the Hopkinsville Municipal Center.
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