HENDERSON, KY, March 4, 2025– In late 2022 the City of Henderson Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $1.2 million in funding for a four-year “Inner City Improvement Plan”. The structured plan includes $300,000 in funding that became available in July 2023 and will continue over the next four consecutive fiscal years, according to a news release.
The plan called for the establishment of five committees responsible for addressing certain impact areas throughout the Inner City. In 2023, Blight/Affordable Housing, Economic Development, Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Beautification/Special Projects were the impact areas the City chose to address. In 2024, the impact areas included Youth Enrichment & Engagement, Public Safety, Mental Wellness, Blight & Affordable Housing, and Economic Development. For 2025, the City has announced the impact areas will include Youth Enrichment & Engagement, Neighborhood Empowerment, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Blight & Affordable Housing. Each committee includes a representative from the city commission, local experts within the respective impact area, and residents/stakeholders who reside or have significant interest in the inner city of Henderson, Kentucky.
An orientation date has been set for Wednesday, March 19th for those who have volunteered to serve on the committees. The meeting will kickoff at 5:30 p.m. at the Henderson Municipal Services Center located at 1449 Corporate Court.
Following the orientation, the committees will meet monthly to discuss issues and concerns within their given impact area. They will formulate action items and projects to help address concerns and improve circumstances in the inner city. In late summer, the committees will gather for a formal work session at a location to be determined within the inner city area. At the work session, all committees will present their action items and projects for consideration. Those in attendance will help prioritize these items to help guide the commission as it awards the allotted amount at a formal commission meeting.
“This plan gives us the opportunity to match up many of our local people with special knowledge and skills in a certain area with residents and with the city commission. We want to make sure that as we succeed as a community that we all have the ability to share in the growth and success no matter who we are or where we live.” says Mayor Brad Staton.
“We can do a lot of good things with this program, especially with economic development. I’m looking forward to making sure people of all incomes have the opportunity to become business owners.” added Henderson City Commissioner Robert Pruitt, Sr.
During the first two years of the program the City has seen many successful projects come to fruition.
In 2023, Inner City residents voted for the expansion of the Flock camera system in their neighborhood. A project that came out of the Public Safety committee, this allowed for the placement of seven new Flock cameras throughout the inner city that are used to enhance security and assist law enforcement. From the 2023 Infrastructure committee, residents saw alley improvements take place in the inner city. These improvements included tree trimming, leveling, and grating to enhance the conditions and appearance of many local alleys. The inner city also saw the expansion of the City’s tax moratorium. The 2023 Economic Development committee asked the Board of Commissioners to expand the tax moratorium to include the inner city – aiming to stimulate the renovation and revitalization of older buildings. To see a complete list of projects, visit the City’s website.
The plan of action for the projects from the 2024 Inner City Improvement Plan are on the agenda for the March Board of Commissioners meeting. After the commission approves the plan, the City will begin work to put many of those projects into motion.
For the purpose of this initiative, the “inner city” is currently being define as Washington Street to Sand Lane, Green Street to Atkinson Street.
If you live or work in this area and would like to participate in the program, you can sign up to volunteer on a committee by visiting the City of Henderson website at hendersonky.gov and visiting the Inner City Improvement Plan page, here.
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