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Certain issues stir up more debate than others when the Winchester City Commission meets. 

On Tuesday, September 3, a meeting of the Commission featured much discussion – sometimes heated – as the development of the High Side Project on Main Street got discussed. 

Stephen Sewell, a Project Manager with Palmer Engineering, discussed some of the current developments. 

“We’re in the process of getting everything approved from the KYTC,” he said, referring to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. “I’m [here to] give you all an update of where we are, what’s going to be going on in the next couple months, and then I’ve got some renderings that I can show that I think…answer your questions.”

As stated at the website http://winchesterky.com/1086/Main-Street-High-Side-Project, the Main Street High Side Project “is a City project to make improvements on the high side of Main Street between Broadway and Lexington Avenue.” 

Comprised of tasks that included Survey/GIS, Preliminary Design, and Final Plan Development, “the engineering work was initiated and is nearly complete”, with bidding – among other requirements – scheduled for October 2024. 

To help fund the construction of the project, the City of Winchester was the recipient of a TAP Grant in the amount of $4.44 million. 

Comments from public meetings have been compiled and incorporated into the design, with the project intended to benefit the community specifically by “includ[ing] access for all users (safety), mobility, business enhancement, historic enhancement, support of downtown activities, beautification, and a destination area.” 

Several design features have been incorporated on the area of Main Street considered the High Side, located across from the Clark County Courthouse. 

Among them are a sloped walkway up to High Side across from Court Street, a sloped walkway and stairs up to High Side near E. Broadway Street, social stairs and amphitheater seating plus additional stairs up to High Side, and stairs and a ramp going up High Side near E. Lexington Avenue. 

On the side of the street with the Clark County Courthouse, sometimes referred to as the low side of Main Street, design features are set to include angled parking, with parking on the High Side of Main Street being absent. 

This last issue has caused some concern among citizens. 

“It seems to me that people are going to have to go back and around to park in those spots, and parking is a major issue,” said resident Jennifer Wilson. 

Sewell responded. 

“There’s angled parking all over Winchester,” he said. “I will say that one of the focuses of this area is to slow traffic down. We want it to be a more walkable area. We want traffic going slower. I think we’ve done that….backing out is a challenge, but it’s no different than trying to parallel park.” 

Another point of concern has been the potential impact on local businesses. 

“I’ve been up here a long time, and this is the worst thing that’s ever been presented,” said Shannon Cox. “Some folks have every dime they have invested in a business on South Main Street. We’re going to cripple them at best…instead of doing what we think might benefit Winchester in twenty years…we’ve got businesses there right now that we are slapping in the face and not doing the right thing for.” 

Cox was supported by several individuals. 

Others such as Kim Comstock – who owns the building at 25 S. Main Street – provided a different point of view. 

“My son was in business for a year and went out of business for lack of traffic,” she said. “I support this. We’ve got to do something to make this city more…approachable. It’s got to thrive. People from out of Winchester have got to be willing to come to Winchester.” 

Laura Freeman, owner and operator of Mt. Folly Farm Enterprises as well as Laura’s Mercantile on 1 South Main Street, also expressed support for the project. 

“I think this needs to be done…the good news I think I heard…was it was going to take one year, not two,” she said. “Effectively, you’re going to reduce traffic in these businesses. [There’s] no way around it. Fortunately, it may not be a lot different than it is today…we’ve got to get more people downtown…I can plan for one year.” 

However, others – including Clark Coalition Executive Director Will Mayer, continued raising concerns. 

“I think that this amount of railing in the walls is going to inhibit foot traffic to businesses”, he said. “I want to speak to something that hasn’t been brought up, and that’s the materials that are being used in this project. We have a historic downtown. I think it’s important that what we’re building here respects that historic fabric…I think it’s important that our [Request for Proposal] reflects the quality that we want in this project.” 

Additional speakers throughout the evening included Robert Pritchett, former City Manager Mike Flynn, Peggy McAlister, Sheila McCord, Amanda Adams, and more. 

Toward the end of the evening. Mayor Reed offered a few words, including the mention that City Manager Bruce Manley is currently looking into the possibility of gaining a grant to support businesses if needed. 

“We want to protect our businesses. We want to take care of our businesses,” she said. “Communication is not always good…tonight, we will be hiring a new communications person…we’re going to be expecting a lot out of that.”