The City of Versailles held a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday for its $3.68 million downtown revitalization project. The ceremony was interrupted by a brief rainstorm, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of people like former Tourism Commission Chair, Maria Bohanan.
“It is actually a dream come true. We've been, I've been part of this since its inception. And I am so looking forward to what this incubator, which is what it was called, and the strategic plan is going to do for our community.”
Bohanan, who stepped down as chair of the Woodford Tourism Commission last fall, is one of several Versailles residents who’ve worked on the project as an unpaid volunteer. Ken Kerkhoff was her predecessor as Tourism chair and a former city council member. He was the master of ceremonies Friday – before the rain fell.
“The project will include a stage, a farmers market, improved connectivity with Big Spring Park and a water feature paying tribute to Elijah Pepper, the first person to make bourbon in Woodford County.”
Planners say the city has four, hundred-thousand-dollar legacy sponsors lined up, with a goal of finding at least six more. Brian Traugott, the mayor of Versailles since 2013 and a lifelong resident, said he hopes the project will be complete by August of 2024.
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