Plus, what to do with your longneck Ale-8 bottles.
 
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47º | Morning showers | 61% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:37 a.m. | Sunset 5:18 p.m.
 

With housing + green spaces for all

Imagine Lexington 2045: Building + sustaining successful neighborhoods
An aerial drone photo of a neighborhood, a highway, a lake, and the sunset behind clouds
Zone changes could mean more housing options around Lexington. | Photo by @shoeless.photographer
It’s officially official. Imagine Lexington 2045, the city’s comprehensive plan, was adopted last week.

Led by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government’s (LFUCG) Division of Planning, the years-long process included multiple public input sessions, an evaluation of current conditions, an examination of land use, and so much more.

The final product? A 349-page plan that ensures long-range planning + urban growth to address the needs and contributes to prosperity of all Lexingtonians.

The group has laid out five themes, and throughout the next few weeks, we’ll be breaking down each one. Let’s begin today’s lesson: building + sustaining successful neighborhoods.

The key objective is to create welcoming neighborhoods that supports a diverse population, with a focus on the design of our city. This includes:
  • Expanding housing choices
  • Growing strategically through infill + redevelopment inside the Urban Service Boundary
  • Providing well-designed neighborhoods and communities
  • Addressing community facilities at the neighborhood level
  • Ensuring equitable development + rectifying segregation caused by Lexington’s historic planning practices
Imagine Lexington identified three pillars to help facilitate these goals:

Design

The plan calls for a “putting-people-first” mentality + community-building mindset when it comes to updating or creating new developments. This includes equitable pedestrian infrastructure, open spaces and parks near residential dwellings, and inviting cityscapes that create connection.

Density

Even though the Urban Service Boundary will be expanded, public opinion showed an affinity towards infill and redevelopment. Policies outlined include incorporating residential units within commercial centers, encouraging more single-family home developments, and ensuring new construction matches the rhythm of existing developments.

Equity

Steps have already taken place to address the segregation caused by historic planning processes, but more will come through public education + policy creation. The plan also encourages new development to meet housing needs for all income levels.
 
Events
Monday, Dec. 4
  • Classic Literature Film Series | Monday, Dec. 4 | 2:30-7 p.m. | Lexington Public Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Celebrate Louisa May Alcott’s birthday with two screenings of the 2019 version of “Little Women.”
  • Annual Holiday Potluck & Bazaar | Monday, Dec. 4 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | McLeod’s Coffee House, 376 Southland Dr., Lexington | Free | Support the Autism Society of the Bluegrass by stopping by for a meal, a drink, and shopping from local community makers.
Tuesday, Dec. 5
  • Line Dancing | Tuesday, Dec. 5 | 7:15-9:15 p.m. | Bluegrass Ballroom, 4750 Hartland Pkwy., Ste. 190, Lexington | $5 | Start the night by learning the basics of line-dancing, then scuff, brush, and show off your newly learned skills in the open dance.
Wednesday, Dec. 6
  • 5 Across December Finals | Wednesday, Dec. 6 | 5-7 p.m. | The Kentucky Theatre, 214 E. Main St., Lexington | $5 | This entrepreneur pitch competition hosted by Awesome Inc will see five local startups pitch for a $5,000 cash prize.
Thursday, Dec. 7
  • Bourbon & Sweets Tasting | Thursday, Dec. 7 | 7-8 p.m. | The Kentucky Castle, 230 Pisgah Pike, Versailles | $74.76 | Sip + sample four Kentucky bourbons, each paired with a locally sourced sweet treat, then go home with your own branded Glencairn glass.
Friday, Dec 8
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Tech

Cut holiday spammers off at the source
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This service protects your personal data not only from targeted ads, but also from scammers and identity thieves. | Image by Incogni
The best way to cut down on all those holiday spam emails, texts, and calls? Cut marketers off at the source by removing your personal information from data brokers — aka companies that sell contact info to spammers (and scammers).

Save yourself the manual work and get your data off 180+ data brokers and people search sites automatically with Incogni.

Bonus: Sign up for a one year subscription with code 6AM60 and get 60% off.
Snag 60% off for a limited time
News Notes
Sports
  • The Cats are going bowling. UK will face the Clemson Tigers (hey, GVLtoday) in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 29 at 12 p.m. The Wildcats are one of eight football teams in the NCAA with at least eight consecutive Bowl game appearances.
Closing
  • Chocolate Holler, a chocolate + coffee shop located at 400 Old Vine St., plans to close after Christmas this year. Owner Salvador Sanchez, who also owns A Cup of Common Wealth, said that he’s willing to discuss options for someone to partner, purchase, or breathe new life into the place.
Civic
  • City Council is expected to begin discussions on banning the sale of cats and dogs at pet stores in 2024. The issue was brought forth after multiple council people were contacted by animal welfare groups to help crack down on puppy mills. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
Concert
  • The Lexington Philharmonic is once again giving Lexingtonians the opportunity to see its “A Cathedral Christmas” dress rehearsal via a pay-what-you-can experience. The performance will take place on Friday, Dec. 15 at Cathedral of Christ the King at 7:30 p.m. Reserve your spot.
Read
  • Award-winning author Crystal Wilkinson was chosen to lead University Press of Kentucky’s newest publishing imprint, Screen Door Press. The brand will focus on publishing thought-provoking fiction that share diverse views from the Black community. Submissions will open in February. (UKNOW)
Travel
  • Did you know? There are 300+ “event days” in Greenville, SC. From signature events like Fall for Greenville and Artisphere, there’s always a reason to visit. Check out the calendar of events and plan your 2024 trip.*
Finance
  • Masterworks is a platform that helps you invest in multi-million dollar art by names like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, for just thousands – not millions. When Masterworks sells a painting, like the 16 it’s already sold, investors can get a return. 6am City readers can skip the waitlist to join.**
**Investing involves risk and past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures and aggregate advisory performance masterworks.com/cd.
Environment

So long, farewell, it’s time to say goodbye

So long, longnecks: Ale-8-One discontinues refillable glass bottle program
An Ale-8 bottle with flowers in it and a jar of a bubbly beverage.
Give your bottle new life to keep a little piece of Kentucky history. | Photo courtesy of @katieespurling
Let’s pour one out for our friends at Ale-8-One. On Sunday, Dec. 31, a century-long tradition will be coming to an end — the beloved refillable longneck bottles.

The Winchester-based soda brand was one of the last few refillable bottlers left in the US, keeping the iconic green bottles in circulation for ~30 years longer than most others.

However, the equipment used to wash and refill the bottles is no longer serviced in the US, ending the bottle deposit + payout program. So, what should you do with those emerald beauties?
  • Glass is recyclable, drop it in your blue cart
  • Reuse it as a vase, decoration or drinking glass for a little piece of nostalgia
In the meantime, Ale-8-One announced the “Commonwealth Collective” recycling program with Miguel’s Pizza at the Red River Gorge, which will return the bottles back to the glass supplier Owens-Illinois.
The Buy

The Buy 12.04.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
A fun and useful gift that’s sure to get the holiday party started: a margarita machine.
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The Wrap
 
Molly Thompson in a black shirt

Today’s edition by:
Molly
From the editor
The LEXtoday team checked out the Miracle on Malabu this week and it was so fun. Fun drinks, delicious snacks, and all the holiday decor...what more could you ask for? Secure your spot.
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