During Tuesday evening’s meeting, Hopkinsville City Council members approved the first reading of an ordinance that would permanently close a portion of South Kentucky Avenue.
According to the ordinance, over 470 feet of the road would be closed from near the West Seventh Street intersection to the houses that are located near Second Baptist Church. The church is planning nearly $9 million in renovations and would like to see the roadway closed to make improvements and erase any safety concerns for their congregation.
Numerous church members were on hand during the meeting and spoke about safety concerns that South Kentucky Avenue poses, especially fast-moving traffic, as they are attempting to cross the street to get into church buildings.
Tameka Byers takes care of her mother who lives on South Kentucky Avenue and is opposed to the street closure. She says the church needs to step up and help residents who live near the church and feels like the road closure would “close off the neighborhood.”
Hopkinsville Mayor Carter Hendricks says public safety officials have looked into the proposal and note that the closure of the street would not affect any residents receiving vital emergency services.
Second Baptist Church Pastor David Tucker states that if the ordinance is approved and their expansion moves forward they will not forget the surrounding neighborhood.
He adds they want to to help get rid of the issues Byers brought up and spread the gospel throughout the neighborhood.
City council members unanimously approved the first reading of the ordinance, with a second reading and approval or denial to come during the Tuesday, July 2nd meeting. The council meets at the Hopkinsville Municipal Center at 6:00 PM.
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