"Bluegrass InnoVision 2018 - Lessons in Innovation"

InnoVision 2018 was born out of discussions among over 100 central Kentucky elected officials and various key organizations including: Commerce Lexington, the Blue Grass Area Development District, the Kentucky League of Cities, and the Kentucky Association of Counties. This report is an overview of how communities across the country are adapting to rapidly changing conditions with innovative and proactive approaches in order to increase their quality of life and strengthen their economic positions. The report focuses on such key areas as:

• Transportation
• Land use and design
• Environment
• Energy
• Regional cooperation
• Diversity
• Arts

“The Green Book” a.k.a. Bluegrass Regional Economic Analysis

In 2006, Bluegrass Tomorrow and numerous regional partners including Kentucky Association of Counties, Kentucky League of Cities, Commerce Lexington, Bluegrass ADD and many businesses and private citizens, hired noted regionalist Myron Orfield and his firm Ameregis to conduct an economic profile of communities in an 18-county area of central Kentucky. We undertook this ground-breaking study to better understand our regional communities and economy. Our goal was to determine how we can be more economically successful by growing jobs and tax base, while at the same time improving our quality of life.

The Economic Analysis examined the overall health of the Bluegrass Region’s economy and public sector in the context of important related issues. The maps and analysis created through this process provided hard data on the region’s recent past and recommend innovative policies for the future, including regional economic and planning reforms designed to respond to fiscal inequity, economic competitiveness and land use. This Profile has the potential to result in effective government and economic policy change at the regional level and improve our competitiveness throughout the nation.

As a result of this study, Bluegrass Tomorrow developed and published the Bluegrass Regional Economic Analysis, otherwise known as the “Green Book.” It is an Executive Summary of the findings of the study and a list of recommendations and action items that local governments may take to improve our region’s economic competitiveness. Click Here for a downloadable PDF of the report.

"Planning a Great Region

A collection of essays written from 1997 – 2006 that illustrate Bluegrass Tomorrow’s “Vision” for the future. The articles demonstrate our continuing commitment to achieving a healthy balance of economic competitiveness while preserving the characteristics that make Central Kentucky unique.

Many people living within a community recognize their community’s heart and soul. It is the physical, economic, and cultural aspects that give a community its special character. It is why they live there and choose to stay. As growth and development pressures increase dramatically in our region in the years to come, new planning tools and processes are needed to engage people to participate in and influence planning decisions and their consequences. “Planning a Great Region” discusses ways to achieve a healthy balance and strengthen our region. From PDR Programs to brownfields, protected greenspaces, safe, scenic roadways, dense, diverse downtowns and inviting, walkable neighborhoods, Bluegrass Tomorrow is promoting a high quality of life that will enhance our economic success in the 21st century and create places with enduring character; places where we choose to stay.

Click Here for a downloadable PDF of the report.

LESSONS IN REDEVELOPMENT: BUILDING GREAT DOWNTOWNS

5 Essential Lessons

FOR SUCCESSFUL DOWNTOWNS

LESSON 1:  The right land uses are critical

LESSON 2:  Design should be urban and traditional

LESSON 3:  Provide variety in housing

LESSON 4:  Renew - not just build new

LESSON 5:  New rules are needed for implementation

SUBURBAN EVOLUTION:  SOUTHLAND DRIVE, LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

BLUEGRASS CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLANNING HANDBOOK*
A manual, unique in the USA, which outlines the steps necessary to ensure coordination and communication between transportation officials and citizens when involved with roadway planning projects.