Mayor announces distillery, RV resort park planned for Mitchell farm at northwest corner of I-64 interchange

City limits in pink; urban service boundary is line above “Proj A.”

UPDATE, July 15: The conditional-use permit process for the RV resort is not expected to begin until September, and will start with the Agricultural Advisory Review Committee, Planning Director Pattie Wilson told the Messenger.

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift sent this in an email to the City Council and news media today.

By Grayson Vandegrift

     I’d like to give you an overview of two new projects that are currently under option on the “Mitchell Farm,” also known as Elkwood, on the western side of 341, across from Midway Station. As you know, industrial and agricultural land has been for sale for quite a long time.

     All of this is preliminary, and by no means are they final, but there are two projects scheduled to close on land purchases in October. For now we’ll call them “Project A” and “Project B.”
     Project A is a small, local distillery that wishes to relocate from Lexington. Their facility would be built near our wastewater facility, within the Urban Service Boundary, but currently just outside the city limits. It is on industrial land and requires no rezoning (see picture).
     Project B would be, in short, called an RV resort, but it could offer much more to the citizens of Midway (see below). After speaking with the brokers involved in the investment, I was assured the RV campsites would be far from KY 341 and out of view. The resort would feature a horseback riding equine pasture on the front end, facing 341. On the rest of the land, which straddles parts of northern Woodford and southern Scott counties, they plan to offer a swimming pool, a swimming pond, a fishing pond, a lazy river, access to Elkhorn Creek, and much more which you can see from the preliminary sketch of the resort.
     While this is an RV campground that would certainly boost tourism for downtown Midway, I was pleased to learn it will also be open for the public to purchases passes for usage. It is on agricultural land and does not need to be rezoned, but the Board of Adjustments of Planning and Zoning will need to grant a conditional use permit. Current zoning laws do permit this type of use on agricultural land so long as that permit is issued. The investors are scheduled to go before the Board of Adjustments on Wednesday.
     Both Projects A and B wish to be on city water and sewer, which we have the capacity for, and which would help us keep our rates in check, if not help us lower them more in the future. This would require us to annex these lands into the city, effectively bringing the city limits to the Scott County line on the western side of 341.

     Project A has been trying to get its distillery moved to Midway for two years, and Project B is likewise struck by our charm, quaintness, and vibrancy. Both would bring jobs and tourism to town. I do not have a total job count for either project at this time.
     Project B will be presenting to the council in an upcoming meeting, and Project A will likely do the same once they get a few more things in place.
     As always, I want you to be able to see this, chew on this, and ask questions. Neither is a sure thing, and public input will be extremely valuable and will be heard going forward. Both projects fit our modus operandi of developing north of Leestown Road around the interstate, and neither requires rezoning. If you have any questions just let me know, you’ll have plenty of time for more questions as the process moves forward.
     I think it’s important to note: The land owners are eager to sell, and the buyers eager to develop. Regardless of how anyone may feel about any of this, if it’s going to happen, I want to bring it in to the city so we can benefit from the tax revenue and the relative distance from our residential centers and the separation provided by a highway and an interstate.

Here's the developer's description of the land use plan:

The Bluegrass RV Resort is nestled in the heart of Central Kentucky along I-64 on the northern edge of Midway, a quaint city with great restaurants, friendly charm and historic equestrian and bourbon industries. Guests will enter the property with views of the entry pond and equestrian pasture beyond. After a peaceful scenic drive, guests will arrive at the clubhouse, where they can relax and receive guided access to their site when ready. This property is home to a luxury RV club resort, family RV campsites and short-term cottage rentals. RV sites provide opportunities for both family sites and adult sites. Amenities include a clubhouse with bourbon tasting and educational tours; the tables with horse riding and a horse rescue; aquatic park with a lazy river, slides, splash pad, and pond swimming; amphitheater; country store; kayak and tub rental; and an adult recreational center with a pool and swim-up bar, fire-pit, and hammock retreat.

Mayor says city will levy fines against Columbia Gas for closing part of Main Street without encroachment permit

Outdoor work on 116 E. Main started June 30.

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift says the city will levy fines against Columbia Gas for causing closure of the north side of East Main Street today.

"The work violated city ordinance, disrupted Friday traffic downtown, and burdened businesses such as restaurants, who rely on gas for their operations," Vandegrift said in an email. "We are starting the process to levy fines on Columbia Gas for violating our ordinances."

The mayor said the word was done without an encroachment permit allowing access to the city's right of way. "Encroachment permits are required of every citizen, every property owner, every utility company before cutting into city owned streets," he wrote. "We need to know before such action is taken and need to approve it so that we know the work to be done, and to have assurance that the replacement of the pavement will be to city specifications."

Vandegrift said a Columbia Gas supervisor told him that the work was being done "on behalf of 116 East Main Street," site of a historic but long-dilapidated building now being renovated by owner Ness Alamdari of Lexington under orders from the Woodford County building inspector.

"As to Mr. Alamdari, this is living proof of what we have been dealing with for more than four years," the mayor wrote. "For whatever reason, Mr. Alamdari continues to attempt to go around the city, around Planning and Zoning, and around any local law he can for his own purposes, despite the will and laws of our citizens."

Summing up, Vandgerift said, "Columbia Gas should have known better, and therefore should pay the penalty for doing such work without going through the process we as a city require. This behavior will not and cannot be tolerated. The interests of one person do not supersede the interests of the city and the people we work for."

Merchants reach foregone conclusion, cancel festival

The Midway Business Association canceled this year's Midway Fall Festival at its monthly meeting Wednesday, due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was a decision no one liked.

"It sucks," MBA President Cortney Neikirk and event coordinator Elisha Holt said, at different times.

Neikirk began the discussion in the Mezzo patio by saying, "I think we all know what the inevitable vote is." She said Mayor Grayson Vandegrift had made that clear, and though the City Council had issued a permit in  January for the event to be held Sept. 19-20, it could revoke the permit if necessary.

"In all fairness, we don't want to have the council make a decision that's ours to make," Neikirk said. She said the idea of having the event on private property wasn't "sensible . . . because Fall Festival is for the merchants."

Some events such as the Kentucky Derby are going ahead with limited attendance, but they are able to enforce limits because they can block access to parking, which can't be done with the festival, Holt said.

Neikirk said the merchants "still have some options to do a few things," such as socially distanced movie nights in the yard between Main and Martin streets, but "I don't know that it would necessarily help the merchants," and "The movies are pretty expensive" to rent.

Earlier, Holt said, "I honestly think that our fall time is dead." She said the association still hopes to have Santa Claus arrive on a train the Saturday after Thanksgiving, but remain on the train and have some sort of socially distanced interaction with children.

"People are itching to get out and do things," Holt said, but Nekirk gave the flip side: "The last thing we want to do is be overrun and be accused of causing an outbreak."

On more positive notes:

• Holt reported that the Facebook commercial filmed recently, with merchants and restaurateurs waving at a drone flying down Main Street, is almost ready and will be targeted to metropolitan areas within driving distance.
• Emily Downey, executive of the Woodford County Chamber of Commerce and the county Tourism Commission, said the agency is targeting markets such as Nashville and St. Louis with ads promoting "Woodford Weekends" for "families, gals and guys."
• After a discussion of the need for a public restroom downtown, especially on weekends when City Hall is closed, Neikirk said she would again discuss the issue with city officials.
• The city is accepting applications from businesses for federally funded grants to compensate them for pandemic-related losses. All those approved will get the same amount, Neikirk said, noting, "We fought for this." The City Council voted 3-2 for two more rounds of vouchers that citizens could redeem at businesses, but switched to grants after state officials said federal relief funds wouldn't pay for vouchers and 19 Midway business people signed a letter warning that most businesses in town could close if they didn't get direct aid.
• Vandegrift told businesses in an email, "The application is available for you to print on our city website meetmeinmidway.com. If you are unable to print you can pick up a copy at City Hall, you may just want to call ahead. Please fill out the application and return to city hall or scan and email it back to sonya@meetmeinmidway.com by 4 p.m. Friday, July 17."

Council OKs $75,000 in federal relief money for grants to businesses; mayor exploring options to fight speeding

Green lines show sewers involved in cleaning and renovation project; red outlines big main targeted for replacement.

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

The Midway City Council voted 4-0 Monday evening for a grant program to provide federal covid-19 relief funding to local businesses. 

This program will “keep them afloat, make up for lost revenue, pay their employees, purchase their goods, pay their bills, or keep their lights and water on,” Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said.

The council voted to appropriate $75,000 from the city’s $129,000 relief allocation to fuel the grant program. Vandegrift said the city has another $53,000 in pandemic-related expenses that the allocation will cover.

The $75,000 will be split evenly between businesses approved by a three-member council committee. “If 30 businesses apply and were granted this money, you divide it evenly, which would mean each business would get $2,500,” the mayor said.

Vandegrift and Council Members John Holloway and Stacy Thurman, members of an ad hoc committee, debated and worked out most of the details at a meeting last week.

“I think that we simplified it and mainstreamed it enough where we’re still showing some guidelines and that this is a serious application,” Thurman said. “But we give them enough credit that they’re going to be honest . . . with the money in the best way that they can to stay open.”

The application asks what costs or losses were suffered due to closure related to the pandemic. Vandegrift said city attorney Sharon Gold added a final section in which applicants agree to cooperate with any audit, certify that the information they give is correct to the best of their knowledge, and acknowledge that a false statement may require them to return the money.

Grantees must have a physical location in Midway, have been forced to limit activities due to the pandemic, and must not owe taxes to the city. No grant can exceed the amount of the funds business lost. The application asks what the money will be used for, and requires recipients to report by Dec. 30 how they used it.

The application also asks, “Is it your intention to continue operating your business in the City of Midway for the next six months?” Vandegrift said Versailles is requiring its recipients to stay open for a year; he asked, “How can you guarantee that?”

Council Member Sara Hicks said, “We’re just asking them to act in good faith.” For more details of the program and the application form, see the council meeting packet, downloadable here.

The plan is for the applications to be posted as soon as Tuesday and have the program launch on July 8, “time is of the essence,” Vandegrift said. All applications must be turned in by July 17 and can be picked up and turned in either online or at city hall.

As soon as the committee of Holloway, Thurman and Hicks reviews and approves applications, the mayor said, he will instruct Foster to begin writing checks. 

The three voted for the program along with Council Member Logan Nance. Vandegrift said Council Member Kaye Nita Gallagher was ill, and Council Member Bruce Southworth was absent because his mother, Ann Southworth of Georgetown, died unexpectedly; services are Tuesday in Georgetown.

Last month, Nance, Gallagher and Southworth made the 3-2 majority (Thurman had left for a work obligation) that voted informally for a second and third round of a voucher program that allowed residents to use $50 in “Midway Bucks” at local businesses, which the businesses turned in for cash.

The program was popular, but the state Department for Local Government said the federal relief bill didn't allow the city to be reimbursed for it, and 19 business people signed an open letter warning that some of them could close without help, so the council chose the grant program, which is specifically authorized by the relief bill.

Vandegrift noted that the council funded the program with $40,000 in unspent economic-development funds before the relief bill passed. He said only $27,000 in vouchers were redeemed by the end of the program on June 30, but he and the council praised the program.

Nance said, "I think a lot of people felt kind of helpless and wanted to help but didn't really did not know how, and I think the voucher program gave them a way to say, you know, I have this little bit of money that I can use to invest and I can support a business I appreciate. With everything going on right now that separates us, I feel like this was a really good way to connect us to come together and do something."

Vandegrift added the voucher program was one of his proudest accomplishments as mayor but feels the grant program will help give businesses a much needed “shot in the arm.” In originally proposing the grant program, he said retailers didn’t benefit from it as much as restaurants.

Nance said, “I definitely think this is going to be a great way to help our businesses.”

In other business Monday, the council:

● Heard Vandegrift say he wants to try rumble strips or speed tables (slightly elevated sections of a street) “on a bunch of streets” to reduce speeding, which he said is the main complaint he gets from residents. “I feel like we have to change the tactics here or lose the game,” he said, adding that he would check cost, probably refer the issue to a committee, and “I’m not saying we’ll vote on anything anytime soon.”
● Heard the mayor say that the next step in the city’s sewer work should be replacement of a 10-inch main leading to the treatment plant with a 15-inch main. He said sediment in the line in causing problems upstream, but cleaning of those lines has stopped manholes from overflowing during heavy rains.
● Heard Vandegrift say he would swear in and update the city’s new Code Enforcement Board on Thursday, even though the city still hasn’t named a code enforcement officer. He said that has been delayed by the pandemic.
● Appointed Michael Hunter to the county board overseeing the 911 dispatch system and its funding. Hunter, a Midway native and resident, is a former Woodford County EMT and 911 dispatcher who knows the system, Vandegrift said.
● Debated returning one block of Johnson Street to one-way. Holloway, who lives off the street, said one way or the other would make it difficult for residents to get into their driveways. The council agreed that residents need to be consulted.

● Approved encroachment permit for a new entrance for White Dog Trading Co. in Midway Station to separate the bourbon-warehousing firm’s office and truck traffic. “We just feel it’s a safety issue,” White Dog consulting engineer Matt Carter said.
● Approved an encroachment permit for Tom and Mur Greathouse to park their pumpkin-sales wagon in a space at 112 S. Gratz St. this fall, as they did last fall.
● Agreed to waive the sewer tap-on fee for 230 S. Gratz, the former home of the Midway Woman’s Club. Vandegrift reported that the new property owners discovered their sewer had never been hooked to a city main though the Woman’s Club had paid sewer charges for decades.

The Secret Service took Danny Smith around the world; when he came home to Kentucky, he chose Midway

Then-Vice President George H.W. Bush signed this photo of himself and Danny Smith in Beijing (then Peking).

Smith shows his Secret Service ID. (Photo by Madison Dyment)

By Madison Dyment
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

In a town as small and close-knit as Midway, it’s easy for the phrase “everybody knows everybody” to roll off your tongue. But given a closer look, how well do we really know our neighbors? So many peoples’ stories float around Midway, often not getting the recognition they deserve. So, Midway, meet your neighbor since 1985, Danny Smith.

Despite coming from humble roots in Lebanon, Ky., Smith found himself along a different life path as a member of the Secret Service.

“After Bobby Kennedy’s assassination in 1968, President Lyndon Johnson ordered Secret Service protection for presidential candidates, which is kinda how I found out about it,” said Smith. “I met some FBI and Secret Service agents through my brother, Jack Smith, who was a federal prosecutor, and they asked if I would be interested in it.”

Smith went through rigorous study and was “off and running” in 1969, he said. His work had him stationed across the country through some of the most defining historical moments.

He was stationed in D.C. during the anti-war demonstrations at the end of the Vietnam War, went through the resignation of President Nixon and Watergate and personally served and protected every president from Richard Nixon to George H.W. Bush, who served in 1989-93.

Smith, who graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1967 with a double major in history and political science, a minor in German and taught history at Lebanon High School for two years, found the position intriguing for someone with his interests.

“It was a very serious employment and, especially as someone who had an interest in history, political science and world affairs, it was an exciting career for me,” said Smith. “It was just a very interesting period of history.”

Smith was stationed directly in the White House in an “intelligence role” during the Nixon administration from 1971 until 1974.

“If people came up and were exhibiting irrational behavior, the White House Police would get ahold of them and the intelligence guys would come out and deal with the situation,” said Smith.

Although Smith declined to comment on any personal opinions or stories regarding the presidents he served, he holds the utmost respect for them and others he protected. His basement is filled with photos and notes, including a photo of Smith and George H.W. Bush in China, signed by Bush with an accompanying note thanking Smith for his service. A framed collage of Jimmy Carter hangs on the wall as a memory of his time serving and traveling with that president, who appointed his brother U.S. attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.

Golda Meir, then prime minister of Israel,
autographed a picture of her for Smith.

“I don’t like to talk about their personalities or little stories,” said Smith. “The protectee has to have utmost confidence that what they do will be kept private. You have to have respect for their privacy, official and personal.”

Smith protected other interesting figures, such as Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, King Hussein of Jordan, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, Mikhail Gorbachev, the former General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and Pope John Paul II.

“To be able to meet and be around these people was just fascinating to see and interact with these historic world leaders,” said Smith.

Despite the close interaction with political figures, Smith never allowed his experiences to sway his political views or opinions. Professional to the core, he took his job seriously and never let anything come in the way of his duty.

“I’m proud of the agents from my era, we were pretty apolitical,” said Smith. “It didn’t make any difference if the protectee was a Democrat, Republican or foreign dignitary, we had a job to do and we did it.”

Smith credits the Secret Service for bringing him to Midway in 1985. When the service opened an office in Lexington, he jumped at the opportunity to return Kentucky. He had previously visited Midway and enjoyed the small-town feeling and proximity to Lexington.

In this position, he worked on intelligence cases at the Federal Medical Center on Leestown Road, with individuals such as Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme of the Charles Manson family when she was detained for trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford in 1975.

In 1989, Smith left the service and took up work with the Department of Justice through the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District, in Lexington. He served as a coordinator of law enforcement efforts, bringing together law enforcement officers from all levels to address initiatives such as anti-terrorism, gun violence, or drug laws. He retired in 2006.

“I was very fortunate that I was able to have two great law enforcement careers in two different agencies that I enjoyed,” said Smith.

Smith served on the city's water-sewer task force in 2011. (Photo by Dick Yarmy)

Now, sitting on his front porch talking with his neighbors is just the level of excitement the 74-year-old Smith wants. Having raised his three daughters in Midway, he and his wife, Georgette, enjoy the small-town atmosphere and homey environment of the town.

“I’ve always known everybody on my street, Gayland Drive, and in my neighborhood and I think that’s fantastic, I really enjoy that,” said Smith. “We would sit on our porches and talk with each other at night and that small-community feel of Midway is just lovely.”

Smith promotes these neighborly values in his everyday life. Between going to breakfast every Saturday with neighbors and friends, to cherishing the opportunity to see people at the post office, and promoting local shopping and support of local business, this worldly person has become a Midway man through and through.

“Staying in contact with your neighbors is so important,” said Smith.

You may wonder what the one big takeaway is for a man who has seen so much in a lifetime. To Smith, it’s a simple mantra that he’s repeated countlessly.

“Be prepared for opportunity when it knocks, because it will knock several times in your life and you need to be prepared for whatever comes to your door,” said Smith. “I hope we don’t lose that message in our future.”

Mayor reinstates open-container ordinance, recounts fireworks rules, calls for empathy in that and masking

By Aaron Gershon
University of Kentucky School of Journalism and Media

Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said today that he has reinstated the "entertainment destination district" that allows customers to carry open containers of alcoholic beverages from the city's restaurants and bars. Vandegrift suspended the ordinance in March as the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Vandegrift made the announcement near the end of his biweekly video update on coronavirus matters, which he said he would now do monthly "unless circumstances dictate otherwise." He talked about the need to wear masks and said "I'm glad to see that mask wearing has become less of a political football."

Vandegrift offered more praise to Midway residents for doing "very well" with their response to the pandemic. "We are seeing spikes in cases all over the country, but in Kentucky, we're doing relatively well," he said. "In Woodford County, we're doing well and in Midway, we're doing very well."

He said that's because residents have stayed diligent and vigilant, with social distancing and wearing masks.

"I think mask-wearing is one of the most typical, straight on examples of empathy," the mayor said. "When I see someone wearing a mask I say that person cares about me.  If I can do the same we build on each other’s empathy."

Vandegrift also noted that wearing masks indoors and in crowded outdoor areas is important that masks are not necessary when people are spread out outdoors. "When you're outdoors in open areas and there are not a lot of people around, I don't think a mask is necessary," he said. "There's so much open air even if you were unwittingly carrying covid-19, the odds of you getting someone enough of a virtual load if you spread out is nearly impossible science has shown."

Fireworks: Ahead of the July 4 holiday on Saturday, the mayor reminded residents of rules and regulations regarding fireworks. "If you are someone who's going to shoot off fireworks, you're allowed to," he said. "You can't be shooting them the week before or after July 4."

He reminded those planning to shoot fireworks that they must be 100 feet from any structure, and can't shoot them before 10 a.m. or after 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, midnight Friday and Saturday.

Vandegrift again encouraged empathy, for those who have served in the military and may suffer from PTSD, as well as residents with dogs who may fear fireworks. "If we do empathize with each other I believe we will find a common ground," he said.

Owner of 116 E. Main St. begins outdoor renovation

Ness Alamdari of Lexington took a rest Tuesday afternoon after helping a worker put up a scaffold in front of his historic but condemned building at 116 E.Main St. Alamdari is under orders to repair the building by Oct. 31 or risk having it torn down as a safety risk. He told the Messenger the outdoor work was preceded by some interior work.