At Tuesday night's meeting, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance adopting the Southside Revitalization Plan., making it a priority to address a shortage of housing and commercial units in some of the city's earliest neighborhoods.
The ordinance defines the Southside Program Area to consist of eight main neighborhoods: Walter Jetton, Uppertown, River Park, Kolb Park, Farley Place, Littleville, Dolly McNutt, and Ella Munal, consisting of 3.3 square miles and containing 3,678 parcels of land.
Due to this large-scale area, the Plan will be implemented in phases. Phase one includes the area between the southern right-of-way line of Kentucky Avenue to the northern right-of-way line of Caldwell Street, and from the western right- of-way line of South 3rd Street to the eastern boundary of the Illinois Central Railroad track between Kentucky Avenue and Caldwell Street.
The ordinance also designates the Urban Renewal and Community Development Agency of Paducah with the authority to implement and oversee the administration of the plan.
Representatives from CFSB attended to show their support in providing up to 100 percent financing for single-family residential loans and construction loans.
The Planning Department will also be bringing an updated incentive program before the City Commission for adoption. Communication efforts will include an "I am Southside" initiative to showcase the neighborhood. Communication efforts will include a breakfast for developers, a lunch for pastors, neighborhood signs, neighborhood walks, increased social media presence, a newsletter, and educational workshops.
