Community Development

The Community Development Department implements or assists the City in administering the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) which funds several programs to ensure that low-to-moderate income families, persons, and areas receive benefits and opportunities that could not otherwise be made available.

Housing Programs

• Application: Hopkinsville Home Improvement Program
• Application: Hopkinsville Affordable Homeownership Program
• Income Limits
  (use the Clarksville, TN-KY Metro FMR Area)
  

Inner City Residential Enterprise Zone (Inner City REZ)

The City of Hopkinsville’s Inner-City Residential Enterprise Zone is an initiative being undertaken by Hopkinsville City Council in an effort to revitalize and rehabilitate four (4) targeted inner-city residential neighborhoods and the downtown business district.  This initiative, commonly referred to as the Inner-City REZ, is being funded through a City appropriation of $500,000 per year over a five (5) year period.  

To date, the following legislation has been adopted by Hopkinsville City Council as a result of the Inner-City REZ Program:  Neighborhood Networks Ordinance, Abandoned Urban Properties Ordinance, Basic Property Maintenance Code, and Downtown 50/50 Matching Grant Program.  The Neighborhood Networks Ordinance provides parameters by which neighborhood groups can seek funding for programs and projects within their neighborhoods.  The Abandoned Urban Properties Ordinance allows the City to tax “abandoned” properties at $1.50 per $100 assessed value in an effort to encourage property owners to make improvements to their properties.  The Basic Property Maintenance Code serves as a tool for providing tenants with relief regarding sub-standard housing while also serving as a tool for requiring all properties to be maintained to a minimum standard.  The Downtown 50/50 Matching Grant Program provides a reimbursement of up to $10,000 for the acquisition and restoration of properties along the main corridors in the downtown area.

The Hopkinsville and Christian County Landbank Authority, Inc. has been established to acquire and dispose of tax-delinquent properties within the Inner-City REZ area.  It is their goal to return vacant properties within the inner-city to a useful state through providing housing, economic development, or recreational spaces.  Copies of the “Interlocal Cooperation Agreement Authorizing the Establishment of the Hopkinsville and Christian County Landbank Authority, Inc.” and the Hopkinsville and Christian County Landbank Authority, Inc.’s Articles of Incorporation and By-laws may be found on this page.

• Program Summary (detail)
• Press Release
• Kentucky New Era Article, May 29, 2008

Inner City REZ Boundaries

• Map of Inner City REZ Boundaries

Inner City REZ Market Study

• Hopkinsville ICREZ Market Study

Interagency Governmental Taskforce

• Priorities, Policies, and Procedures

Dennison Associates Report

• Dennison Associates Report
• Dennison Associates Report Attachment A
• Dennison Associates Report Attachment B
• Dennison Associates Report Attachment C

Community Model Block Concepts

• Model Block Location Map
• Attucks Community Model Block Concept
• Canton Community Model Block Concept
• Durrett Community Model Block Concept
• Westside Model Block Concept
• Westside Model Block Concept - ALT

Neighborhood Network Association Websites

• Bryan Street Neighborhood Association
• Canton Pike Neighborhood Association
• Westside Neighborhood Association
• Durrett Avenue Neighborhood Association
• Crockett/Virginia Street Neighborhood Association

• Neighborhood Network Associations Projects Presentation - a summary of accomplishments of the Neighborhood Network Associations during the 2007 calendar year.

Downtown Renaissance

• Downtown Renaissance Plan
• Downtown Hopkinsville 50/50 Matching Grant Incentive Program
• Downtown Hopkinsville Collateralized Loan Incentive Program
• Preservation-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) Program
• Design Guidelines
• Link to Downtown Renaissance Webpage
• Hogs Head Anniversary Invitation

Ordinances & Agreements

As a result of recommendations from the Inner City Advisory Committee, several ordinances have been adopted to meet the goals of the Inner City REZ program.

• Basic Property Maintenance Code (Ordinance 25-2006)
• Abandoned Urban Properties (Ordinance 04-2006)
• Neighborhood Network Ordinance (Ordinance 05-2006)
• Landbank Authority Interlocal Agreement

Landbank Authority

“Fostering the public purpose of housing, economic development, and job creation through acquisition and disposal of property in order to help revitalize the community.” 

• Priorities, Policies, and Procedures                                                          Contact Information:
• Recorded Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws                                            Chris Covington
• Property List                                                                                             Planner I
• Composite Property Map                                                                          270-887-4285
• Property Maps & Pictures                                                                         ccovington@comdev-services.com