Today Mayor Jim Gray gave his outlook for Lexington’s future in his annual State of the City address.
“It really boils down to three words. Getting things done!” That was the overall theme of Mayor Jim Gray’s State of the City Address today. Early in his speech, Gray touched on the accomplishments made during his first four years in office, including cutting the unemployment rate in half, investing three-quarters of a billion dollars into public safety, improving government efficiency and securing a stable pension reform that’s been called the most effective in the country. In looking to the future, Gray promised to focus on public services and infrastructure. He also vowed to preserve Lexington’s history, beginning with the fate of the old courthouse. “The courthouse will have an assessment report in the next few weeks and then in February and March we will host a series of public meetings to gain community input. And I will include funding for the first phase in my budget address in April.” Gray also envisions making Lexington the best city in America to live and work. He said achieving that goal means delivering the best public services, infrastructure and educational opportunities as well as continued job growth and preservation of our city’s history. The Mayor plans to focus on creating a “world class” park system and the Town Branch Commons. He also asked legislators to pass House Bill 1, known as the LIFT initiative.
While renovations of Rupp Arena were not mentioned in the address, when asked about it afterward, Gray said “The legislature set aside the $65 million last year in last year’s budget and so it all depends on whether or not the legislature has an interest. But all the parties really need to be, before anything happens, all the parties must be on the same page.” Gray said the plan is in place but that everyone needed to be patient, especially on a project as significant as Rupp Arena.