HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – After the Weber building dodged demolition, developers interested in restoring the oldest standing structure in the city will soon have the opportunity to obtain the property from the county. Located at 521 Weber Street, the building was initially built as a residence in the 1800s and was later transformed into an office and restaurant.
In July 2025, the county announced that the building would be declared a surplus with the intention of tearing it down due to major structural issues and safety concerns. After public pushback, they pivoted and decided to allow developers the opportunity to restore the structure.
Christian County Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam said they are nearly ready open bids on the building via RFP (Request for Proposal). During the Feb. 24 fiscal court meeting, magistrates finalized a resolution that establishes restoration parameters for interested developers.
“I would say we are moving pretty quick on this now,” said Gilliam during the meeting. “We want to get this out there for our folks that appreciate the history, as we all do, who want to jump out there and try and rehab that building.”
The parameters for restoration were initially approved during a meeting in October 2025, deemed necessary due to the property’s proximity to the Christan County government campus. Amended changes approved during Tuesday’s meeting include permitting the county to buy back the building if the condition of it becomes dilapidated.
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What the Weber Building could be: Prohibited and approved establishments
An interested buyer could use the property for only the following purposes as laid out in the resolution.
- Office use.
- Bookstore, gift shop, boutique, art gallery and similar light retail establishment.
- Restaurant.
- Cultural uses like museum, art center or community meeting spaces.
- Educational uses including classrooms and training facilities.
- Nonprofit organization offices.
- Residential uses.
- Any other use specifically approved in writing by the Christian County Fiscal Court.
The resolution prevents the building to be used for the following purposes.
- Any type of adult entertainment business.
- Smoke or vape shops.
- Liquor stores or bars.
- Payday loan or pawn shop.
- Gambling establishment.
- Tattoo or piercing parlor.
- Weapons or ammunition storage or sale.
- Industrial use.
- Anything deemed to be a public nuisance incompatible with government operations.
- Commercial rental unit/storage facility
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