Month: August 2024

Yellow Dog Jazz Band plays Saturday for Play Music on the Porch Day

Saturday is Play Music on the Porch Day, and the Yellow Dog Jazz Band of the Bluegrass will be performing from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the porch of 24 Mentelle Park, home of trumpeter Andrew Mooney and his wife, Tanya.  Andrew welcomes neighbors to bring their lawn chairs and set up on the median in front of their home.

At least 19 other musicians and bands also will be playing around the Mentelle and Kenwick neighborhoods that day. Click here for a map.

Council committee plans Aug. 29 meeting on short-term rentals

City Council’s General Government and Planning Committee will have a special meeting about updates to short-term rental regulations at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Government Center (200 E. Main St.). If you are unable to attend, it can be viewed on livestream  here.

Potential updates include distance requirements and a formula to help determine when too many STRs are being concentrated in an area. The packet for the special meeting will be posted on Engage Lexington early next week with the full text of the proposals available for review before the meeting.

Should the committee vote to make any changes to the regulations of STRs, the Planning Commission would next be tasked with reviewing the proposed changes to the policy, including holding an open, public hearing to get community feedback before approving and/or disapproving any updates.

Police investigating El Cid shooting

The Lexington Police Department issued this news release today:

UPDATE – 08/14/24: The Lexington Police Department is still actively investigating Friday’s homicide and shooting that occurred at El Cid on National Avenue and is asking anyone with information to contact the department or Bluegrass Crime Stoppers.

Detectives have been and are continuing to connect with businesses and residents in the area to follow up on leads and information. The investigation suggests that the restaurant was busy at the time of the shooting, and detectives are asking anyone who was at El Cid that night and may have taken a video or photograph to check their footage.

Investigators are working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as community partners to assist the victims and others who have been impacted by the incident. The Lexington Police Department would like to thank those who have reached out with information or are assisting with the investigation.

The Lexington Police Department wants to bring justice to the victims and their families, and is asking anyone with information about this case to contact the Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 Tips app at www.p3tips.com.

Since it is still an active, ongoing investigation, the department is limited in the information it has to release. As information becomes available, the department will continue to send out additional news releases and update the public on social media.

El Cid evicted from National Avenue; neighbors welcome at press conference

New from Chad Walker, owner of The Warehouse Block properties:

At 9 a.m. today, Walker Properties retook possession of the property located at 701 National Ave., formerly leased by El Cid.  This conclusion comes after months of delays attempting to evict the tenant.

Considering the attention the shooting tragedy has received, we will hold a press conference at noon on Thursday, Aug. 15 at the site.  During that time, we will make a followup statement and allow certain community and business owners to speak.  We will also announce a neighborhood adoption of a special day of appreciation for our first responders whose heroic actions and quick response secured the area immediately following this senseless act.  (The press conference will begin promptly at noon, with the doors open at 11:30 a.m. for set-up.  I would expect the conference to last a half-hour.)

I am asking that this conference be limited to invitees only (including Mentelle neighborhood residents), rather than an open invitation to the general public.  We hope you can attend.  Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Chad T Walker

859 227-0774

Warehouse Block owner responds to deadly shooting on National Avenue

One man was killed and five others wounded in a shooting early Saturday morning at the El Cid building at the corner of National Avenue and Walton Avenue.  Here are links to the news reports from the Lexington Herald-Leader, WKYT-TV , WTVQ-TV and WLEX-TV

Warehouse Block owner Chad Walker had this statement:

Dear Neighbors,
Early Saturday morning, a shooting occurred at 701 National Ave., occupied by El Cid.  In an effort to keep everyone informed, I will relay everything we know about the incident.  We have been attempting to evict El Cid for months for a multitude of reasons, including changing the initial approved concept from restaurant to “club.”  This is the first full eviction Walker Properties has had to endure in 15 years.  On Wednesday this past week, a judge issued a final writ that mandated El Cid vacate the building on or before Monday, Aug. 12.
Fortunately, we had just installed a camera that captured the event.  I can confirm this was not a “drive-by shooting” and was likely not “random.”  Video evidence that  captured the entirety of the event was turned over to the Lexington Police Department.
Our thoughts and hearts go out to the victim’s family, first and foremost.  We strive to be a community-driven neighborhood that places safety above all else.  My personal gauge is that I want a neighborhood my nieces can visit anytime, day or night, and not feel threatened.  Unfortunately, no manner of safety protocols could have prevented the incident last night.  The shooter stopped, exited the vehicle and opened fire for about four seconds.
Thanks to the immediate response of the Lexington Police Department, the area was secured within five minutes following the initial shot.  I was alerted this morning and immediately met with Lexington Police to review evidence footage.
Our neighborhood is strong.  Not one business elected to stay closed today.  I am hosting an event right across the street at Epping’s tonight, and I’m not changing my schedule.  I feel confident the shooter will be caught very soon.  If you would like to speak with me direct, my door is always open.
Thanks for the support and have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Chad T. Walker
859 227-0774