The ‘rainy day’ could be here

By Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer

BEREA January 08, 2009 10:00 pm

— This year, the goal for Berea seems to be to do the most with what the city already has.
“2009 will be a year with few projects and management will be paramount,” Berea Mayor Steve Connelly said Thursday night to a modest crowd in the Berea Municipal Building.
Connelly gave the “State of Berea” address, which was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Berea and Madison County.
The crowd was allowed to ask questions, which were mainly centered around the future financial security of the city, concerns about a potential cut in city services and questions about future development and zoning.
Connelly assured the crowd that basic city services would remain, but that most ongoing projects will have to be put on hold or move at a slower pace than originally anticipated.
“This may be the rainy day that we have been planning for, and it may have come sooner than we thought,” Connelly said.
Money from the state and federal levels has all but come to a screeching halt, but 2009 will bring a few new movements toward future development.
The first phase of the Berea Bypass is finished and the bid for the second phase should be ready to present later this year, Connelly said.
“The state cut out about $8 million out of (funding for the) the second phase of the bypass,” he said.
One of the 2009 goals Connelly mentioned was to continue to have an annual review of the city’s comprehensive plan, which is a working document to help predict and prepare for future growth.
He mentioned the importance of considering alternatives to keep the city’s financial basis afloat if that “rainy day” was to come in the near future.
“The obvious step is to embrace tourism,” he said. “Berea is not embracing tourism.”
Many view Berea as the arts and crafts apital of Kentucky, but that is not enough to sustain the community in tough economic times, Connelly said.
“More people come to Berea because of Berea College, not because of arts and crafts, he said.
He suggested the college take more of an interest in hosting workshops featuring arts and crafts, dancing and music so people will come to the community and stay a few days, rather than just making a day trip to view Berea’s downtown area and artists' workshops.
“One tourism aspect that Berea lacks is overnight stays,” he said.
By people staying in the community more than one day, they are more likely to spend money in other areas of the community, he said.
“(Workshops) are appealing because people are learning something,” he said.
Another way to keep Berea’s economy in good standing is to keep educated young people in the area.
Connelly emphasized the importance of having local entrepreneurship programs that will keep college graduates working and living in the Berea community.
Projects the city would like to do, based on available funding, is the widening of Menalus Road and Short Street, construct a new bridge over Silver Creek and create a bike path connecting Boone Tavern and Peach Bloom Hill, to name a few.
Connelly’s address will be televised on Berea’s local cable access channels. For a complete list of air times, visit the League of Women Voter’s Web site at www.lwvbmc.org.
Madison Judge/Executive Kent Clark will present the State of the County at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, in the Fiscal Court chambers in the county courthouse. Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson will give the State of the City address at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.
All events are free, open to the public and a question-and-answer period will follow each presentation.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.