Hopkinsville City Council recognized February as Black History Month and approved the mayor’s 24/7 Downtown Initiative at Tuesday’s meeting.
Before the meeting, Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight and Ward 10 Council Member Mike Velez read a proclamation recognizing Black History Month. Velez read that Black History Month serves as a celebration and a reminder that Black history and culture are essential in America’s ongoing story and spotlights that nation’s faults, progress and aspirations.
The council recognized retiring Captain Jessica Burnett for 18 years of service with the Hopkinsville Fire Department. Fire Chief Steve Futrell spotlighted her service before presenting her with a plaque.
Moving on to ordinances, the council approved annexing an unincorporated property known as Barrow Development, LLC into the city on the second reading. The development is an apartment complex on Lafayette Road.
The council then approved Mayor Knight’s 24/7 Downtown Initiative which offers incentives to encourage property owners in the Downtown Renaissance District to convert vacant upper floors to residential units. City Clerk Brittany Byrum read the municipal order.
The district currently has around 100 residential units, but according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau the district could support between 300 and 500 residential units.