After swearing in four new officers to the Hopkinsville Police Department, the Hopkinsville City Council discussed real estate development and approved a zoning ordinance as well as a motion to rename a city street at their meeting on Tuesday.
Hopkinsville Mayor, J.R. Knight swore in officers, Zachary Lancaster, Cameron DeArmond, Melinda Dennison and William Bryce McLaughlin. Along with the new officers being sworn in, Sergeant Jack Leek was promoted.
In December the Council approved for a section of East 8th Street between South Virgina and Clay Streets to be renamed bell hooks Way. bell hooks is the pen name of Gloria Jean Watkins, an acclaimed author and activist who was born and raised in Hopkinsville.
On Friday, the signs along bell hooks way were unveiled with a ceremony. Gwenda Motley, one of Watkins’ sisters spoke during the Council’s public comments period to thank them for approving the street’s name change.
Motley also shared that she and members of the bell hooks Legacy Group have received many messages from people across the country expressing their appreciation for the work being done to remember Watkins’ legacy.
Moving into their reports, Peg Hayes the Chair of the Local Development Corporation appeared to share a real estate development proposal. In 2023, Jeff Siegler a civic pride consultant from Revitalize, or Die visited Hopkinsville to talk with locals and find where real estate improvements could be made.
According to Hayes, Siegler’s proposal recommends focusing on raising standards, improving city appearances, addressing slow traffic, determining a vision and creating a development plan. Hayes shared that Siegler’s proposal also had simple focuses such as making the city cleaner and more well-lit.
At a future meeting the Council will discuss whether they will work toward implementing Siegler’s proposals.
Moving into their ordinances, on second reading the Council approved for six properties on Pyle Lane to be zoned as a one- and two-family residential district and for a portion of Ellen Street to be closed.
The Council approved for Quarry Street to be renamed “Pastor CE Timberlake Way” upon request from First Street Baptist Church and also approved amending the 2023-2024 budget to portray current expenses and revenues.
