Lexington’s resilient downtown

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Hey, downtown Lexington, we think you’re pretty cool too. | Photo by @femibranded

On Wednesday, The New York Times released a list of 10 cities whose downtown “have come back even stronger and more resilient” since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

And guess who was listed — we were.

Here are a few key points:

  • The resurgence of downtown in the 2010s — thanks to new restaurants, bars + the repurposing of old buildings — took the area from “an afterthought” to “blooming.”
  • Lexington is more recession-proof due to our largest employers being universities and hospitals.
  • While the pandemic has been cited as the cause for many hits + closures, some business owners say in terms of people out doing things — numbers are better than in 2019.

And with the addition of Town Branch Park , the Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center renovations + the High Street development , our resilience is strengthened and even growing.

So, let’s write a love letter to downtown. Share with us your favorite memories, businesses, or features of downtown.

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Molly is based in Lexington, KY and has worked for a variety of entities including JMI Sports, the Harrodsburg Herald, and the Sports Business Daily. When she’s not writing + editing for LEXtoday, you can find her teaching or practicing yoga or exploring the city with her husband and dog Ziggy.
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