HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Almost a year after the Blue Streak Building was torn down in downtown Hopkinsville, a prominent section of East Ninth Street remains an empty lot, with no immediate plans to fill the space due to lack of commitment from developers.
This past spring, potential developers were able to submit their proposals for what the city called the “9th & Main Street Redevelopment Project,” and no submissions were received through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process by the July deadline. The RFP was ultimately extended through mid-August, but there were still no submissions by potential developers.
“The mayor and team are currently working through next steps and considering the best approach for developing this property in a way that benefits our downtown and supports the community’s long-term growth,” said City of Hopkinsville Public Information Director Amanda Brunt.
When asked if the city will be soliciting more developers for the project in the near future, Brunt responded, “No decisions have been made about reopening the RFP, but we are keeping all options on the table. This is an important location, and we want to make sure whatever comes next is a good fit and brings lasting value to the area.”
Historic buildings torn down
The lot was created as a row of historic buildings were demolished due to deteriorating conditions within the past three years. This includes the controversial decisions to tear down the Blue Streak Building, and Pheonix building along with Lee’s Game Room, and the Holland Opera House. The entire lot is currently being sold for development as one entity with the intention to now fill it with both commercial and residential spaces that blend in with the architecture of downtown.
Wording from the initial RFP by the City of Hopkinsville said in part, “The City is interested in receiving proposals that show market-responsive uses of the building, with a preference for the development of a two to four story building consisting of commercial space on the ground floor and residential units on the upper stories, however the city is open to entertaining other concepts for this property.”
Mayor James R. Knight previously stated that bringing in new development to this area of downtown will give them an opportunity to change the look of this high trafficked roadway in a positive way.
In the meantime, other developments that involve restoring and renovating historic buildings downtown are in the works including a new lounge, apartments, a new restaurant and a previously unused pocket park.
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