City council adopts former Legacy Hopkinsville programs amid CDS transition

Previously implemented incentive programs facilitated by CDS have been adopted by the City of Hopkinsville.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Several municipal orders and executive orders have been approved by the Hopkinsville City Council, allowing the city to officially implement specific services that were previously under Community and Development Services.

At the end of September, the City of Hopkinsville announced that Legacy Hopkinsville programs previously facilitated by Community and Development Services were temporarily paused until the final stages of the transition of services took place. These programs are aimed to promote development and beautification in the inner city with grants and match funds.

On Oct. 6, councilmembers amended ordinances to eliminate the planning commission from the language and passed municipal orders to establish the following Legacy programs under the umbrella of the city.

Housing Empowerment Plan: Provides suitable living environments for residents, preserves city resources for demolition costs due to continued deterioration, and assists with preventing homelessness. Housing Empowerment Plans encourage neighborhood pride and engagement and promote stability and collaboration through public/private partnerships.

Legacy Hopkinsville Rental Rehabilitation Incentives Program: This program provides financial assistance in the form of reimbursements up to $10,000 to eligible rental property owners for bringing their newly acquired residential rental properties up to current code standards, implementing additional energy efficiency measures, enhancing the structure’s aesthetics and providing for demolition of the structure when deemed beyond repair or financially infeasible with immediate redevelopment.

Legacy Single Family New Construction Incentives Program: This program is designed to encourage investment in new residential construction within the Legacy boundaries of Hopkinsville. There are several incentives available for eligible developers to receive which include financial assistance, rebates and/or discounts on construction elements for single-family developments.

Legacy Duplex and Multi-Family New Construction Incentives Program: This program is designed to encourage investment in new residential construction within the Legacy boundaries of Hopkinsville. There are several incentives available for eligible developers to receive which include financial assistance, rebates and/or discounts on construction elements for duplex and multi-family developments.

Downtown Development Incentive: The purpose of the Downtown Development Incentive Program is to foster economic development in and around the Downtown Renaissance District by encouraging the development and restoration of the existing commercial and residential stock within the City’s Central Business District.

Payment in Lieu of Taxes Program (PILOT): Financial incentive program that is designed to encourage commercial and residential development in and around the Hopkinsville Downtown Renaissance District by “freezing” property taxes at the predevelopment level for a five-year period.

50/50 Matching Grant Incentive Program: Designed to assist property owners/tenants with making exterior improvements to their buildings, opening new businesses and/or converting the upper floors of their properties for residential use by providing matching grant funds in the amount of 50% of their total project cost on a reimbursement basis.

Paint this Town: Property owners/tenants will be afforded the opportunity to paint the exterior facade of their building(s) on a 50/50 matching basis, with reimbursement to the property owners/tenants not to exceed $5,000.

Collateralized Loan Program: Financial incentive that is designed to assist downtown property owners and/or tenants in securing financing for short-term working capital, facade improvements, upper story residential conversion, business start-up, and streetscape improvements.