Newsletter

The first quarter (January, February, and March) of many recent years tend to represent a slower period of development within the calendar year. Comparatively, it typically ranks last among the other three quarters.  However, for the year 2022, development and construction numbers were at an all-time high, outranking 2021’s first quarter by 20%.  The numbers even surpassed…

On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law 117-58, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law”) into law. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure and economy in our Nation’s history. The law authorizes $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending with…

Tell us how you want our bicycle and pedestrian network to grow! We need your input! As we work on updating our Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, we need to hear from the public to help understand our users, want-to-be users, and their desires for future improvements. Help us build a more bike- and walk-friendly…

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – District 3 Now that winter is over, motorists can expect to see lots of orange cones and barrels as project construction begins to pick up.  A pavement maintenance project on I-165 between I-65 and U.S. 231 Scottsville Road for pavement crack sealing is underway. The roadway will also be resurfaced approximately…

While much of the community’s focus was on storm relief efforts from the devastating tornado in December of 2021, Warren County growth remains strong.  Market Demand for single family lots have remained steady among the last several quarters.  Newly completed residential streets allowed for a high applicant volume of single family home permits.  Overall, permits…

Though we’re in the thick of our coldest months of the year, BikeWalkBG is starting to think about warmer days ahead and all the ways we can encourage Bowling Green to get out and enjoy our parks and greenways. It’s been a long-time in the making due to challenges incurred from the pandemic, then the…

The tornado that devastated our community on December 11, 2021 damaged or destroyed some large swaths of our community, both old and new. The community did not hesitate to spring into action to assist in so many different ways and the response has been inspiring on many levels. Staff in our office assisted in search…

As cleanup of areas continue, the community now begins thinking about rebuilding.  Part of that is repairing structures that are repairable, and part will be replacing structures that were destroyed.  Many of the older or historic structures were “grandfathered in” or had legally existing non-conformities. What this means is that if a structure becomes more…

City of Bowling Green Phase II of the Downtown Improvements Project construction which began in July was completed in December. This project continued streetscape improvements on College and State Streets from Spring Alley to 6th Avenue, including portions of 8th Avenue and Main Avenue (east and west of the downtown square).   Design was completed…

What is the FOCUS 2030 Comprehensive Plan? How is it used? What does it say? How do you provide input?   The Comprehensive Plan is the community’s vision for how we would like to see all areas of Warren County grow and develop through the year 2030. Areas include the cities of Bowling Green, Oakland,…

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 Even though the construction season is entering its final months there are still numerous projects that the KYTC is working on in the Bowling Green/Warren County area. The resurfacing and rehabilitation project on Interstate 65 in Warren County is mostly complete. The project repaired and resurfaced I-65 from the 26…

The 3rd Quarter of most construction calendars marks the peak development period each year and this trend was no different in 2021.  For the year 2021, the 3rd Quarter will continue to set the pace to surpass what permits were approved in the previous year’s total and has already surpassed the totals for 2019, 2018,…

Building Transportation Supply Chain Resilience after a Pandemic U.S. Rents Spiking As More Renters Enter the Market People are Walking More than Pre-Pandemic Cities Beef Up Bike Infrastructure after Boom Nashville’s slated for a new “tallest” building

The pandemic certainly changed a lot with the ways we live, work, and play. Our lives were seemingly halted; we experienced social isolation; our work environments were trial and error, flexible, and different; our favorite gyms and restaurants were closed or modified; we had to get creative with how we spent our time; and many…

The 2nd Quarter typically marks the start of the peak development season in most communities.  In the year 2020, the quarter began with a slow start, but ended in an annual increase from the previous year.  This slow start may have been attributed to unprecedented COVID-19 responses.  Fast forward to 2021, and the community has…

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – District 3 Road construction season for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 area is turning out to be one of the busiest seasons in recent memory and for Warren County especially. The biggest project currently underway is the rehabilitation and resurfacing of Interstate 65 in Warren County from the 13 mile…

If you’ve driven around Downtown over the past month, you’ve likely noticed some changes to the street striping. Several Downtown streets have recently been restriped as part of routine maintenance repaving projects. These streets include Adams, Kentucky, and State. These roadway lane configurations have been modified to include dedicated bike lanes. While cyclists can ride…

Air Taxis by 2024!?!? Bloomberg News | We’ve talked a bit about the future of transportation with autonomous cars and delivery drones, but now we’re thinking about air taxis! The air taxis certainly wouldn’t make their debut in Bowling Green, but you could use them in the places you travel….maybe even by 2024?! The company,…

District 3   The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is gearing up for a busy construction season throughout the Bowling Green/Warren County area. While the orange cones and barrels may mean some traffic impacts, it also means some great improvements to local roads when the projects are finished.   The biggest project currently underway is the pavement…

As the new year rolls on and we start the beginning stages of putting the pandemic behind us, some things in development change and some things stay the same. Despite total numbers of zone changes being somewhat consistent, the number of single and multi-family lots approved is down from previous quarters, even when comparing past…

After a US District Court ruling last spring, an estimated 100 unregulated billboard signs were erected across the state of Kentucky, particularly in the central and western Kentucky region. After a dispute between Lion’s Den Adult Superstore and state officials ended, US District Judge Justin Walker ruled against the state’s “content-based restrictions on free speech.”…

When the pandemic first began more than a year ago, everything was thrown into chaos and the only thing we knew is that we didn’t know how life would be affected. After examining this same topic in the spring of last year, it’s an interesting retrospect to see what’s still changed, what’s returned back to…

Over the last few months, significant progress has been made on two studies the MPO is actively working on to identify a new I-65 interchange in the southern part of the County and another on short-range efficiency modifications to GO bg’s transit service. Each study is getting nearer to completion and final recommendations from the…

Reviving Main Streets has long been a topic amongst planners, and most likely a topic amongst many throughout communities nationwide. We all have particular images of what we envision when we think of a “thriving” downtown – this may be shaped by where you grew up, places you’ve visited, or even just places you’ve read…

Despite the pandemic woes, Warren County growth remains strong. There was a dip in second quarter numbers, mostly in March, but April picked back up and activity continued to increase. Multi-family approvals are down from previous years, but continue to trend slightly upward as a whole. Multi-family numbers are expected to increase next year. Several…

In a study led by consulting firm, Michael Baker International, the MPO and KYTC are analyzing the feasibility of a new interchange along the southern portion of Interstate-65 in Warren County. Local leaders have recognized the quickly growing population in the southern portion of Warren County; much of this spearheaded by the opening of the…

How can you describe a year like 2020? The pandemic pandemonium has certainly been a year of extremes, constantly adapting to ever-changing regulations, recommendations, and executive orders. Every person and business has faced challenges this year. Our community is resilient and always seems to find a way through the rough times together. This is inspiring…

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet – District 3 The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has spent the last several months in winter preparation and response mode. Up until this point in the season the winter weather has been mild, but crews remain ready to serve should winter weather create hazardous road conditions.   We are also looking ahead at…

BikeWalkBG has taken a break from many events throughout this season of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We see the value in promoting exercise and encouraging people to get outside. We also see the value in bringing people together to ride bikes, learn more about where to ride, and feel equipped to ride on their…

City of Bowling Green The City of Bowling Green Public Works Department is continuing to improve local infrastructure, despite some budget restrictions due to COVID-19. Projects that are in the planning and/or design phase include Phase II of the Downtown Improvements projects.  Phase I was completed late in 2019 and addressed deteriorating public infrastructure including…

The Bowling Green-Warren County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) recently approved the final draft of the community’s long-range transportation plan, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The MTP guides the planning efforts for local leaders in prioritizing transportation projects (roadway, bicycle/pedestrian, and transit), while identifying existing and proposed transportation facilities and services necessary to meet the needs…

In last month’s quarterly newsletter, the CCPC reported that there was a slight decline in construction permits at the beginning of the second quarter (April – June).  However by the end of the quarter the permit numbers began to increase beyond the typical trend.  This increased volume of construction permits extended into the months of…

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, government organizations, businesses, churches and educational institutions, among others, have been forced to come up with alternative mediums for meeting together. And it’s not just meetings that have changed. Many of us have had to rapidly adapt to working from home schedules and juggling multiple roles and responsibilities.…

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTYC) District 3 The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has improved two major areas with resurfacing on two highly traveled routes in Bowling Green. A section of US 231 (Campbell Lane) near the intersection  with Industrial Drive was resurfaced. A large section of US 231 (Scottsville Road) underwent a resurfacing and safety improvement project…

The section of US 31W Bypass from the roundabout at University Drive to Lehman Avenue may see a road diet come to fruition in the next few years. A study conducted by the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) with work completed by consulting firm, Strand Associates, analyzed the feasibility of a road diet on this section…

Transportation is the means of moving people and goods from one location to another in order to carry out the daily needs and desires of life. People and goods transport in various ways – from trains and planes to automobiles, buses, bicycles, scooters, and walking. Transportation shapes the identity of communities as it affects the…

For the last few years, the second quarter of the year typically marks the increase in construction projects in our community. This season begins the peak development time period that tends to start in the warmer months and April, May, and June. While it is common to see a down tick in the local report…

Recent events in the world have affected so many aspects of our lives and has left many of us wondering what our new normal will be as we move beyond 2020.  Most everyone understands how the switch to online shopping is changing the physical landscape of retail stores. But what about zoning? Planning and zoning,…

What makes a city great for an 8-year-old, an 80-year-old, and anyone in between? Local government staff, review board members, and several citizens converged at the Historic RailPark & Train Museum in December to discuss that very issue. The guidebook: the 8-80 Cities initiative.   8-80 Cities is a Canadian-based non-profit organization striving to “bring…

2019 started out as busy as ever. There were a couple of short periods of slowdowns on the application side but we finished with a flurry of activity. Construction activity has remained very strong. At one point this year we were slightly below our 2015 activity levels but finished with the second highest activity levels…

BikeWalkBG, the advocacy and education branch of the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO’s) bicycle and pedestrian program, is teaming up with Western Kentucky University (WKU), Warren County, the City of Bowling Green, and a number of community members to kick-off a bicycle safety and sustainability initiative. Funded entirely by external grants and donations awarded to WKU,…

City of Bowling Green Public Works The second phase of Smallhouse Road, which includes widening to 3 lanes from Highland Way to Ridgecrest Way as well as an 8 foot multi-use path on one side of the roadway, is complete and open to traffic.  Funding for a third phase has been approved and will address…

BikeWalkBG Launches Bike Bowling Green Map BikeWalkBG, the community’s bicycle and pedestrian program is working to advocate and educate the public on basic bicycle and pedestrian safety tips and recommended bike routes in Bowling Green. Earlier this summer, BikeWalkBG launched a new bike Bowling Green map, identifying streets for novice and intermediate riders of all…

Topper Transit Implements Route Adjustments and New Technologies Western Kentucky University (WKU) Topper Transit runs transit service in and around WKU’s main and south campuses that is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Operated and managed by the Parking and Transportation Services Department, it is an integral part of…

The spring of 2020 will kick off our nation’s next census. For the first time, people will be able to respond to the Census online and over the phone in 12 non-English languages, in addition to the paper questionnaire. Census surveys are 100% confidential; they cannot be shared with immigration authorities or law enforcement agencies.…

Here’s a look at our 2019 second quarter numbers…Overall, zoning applications have slowed down, but construction is still higher than ever before. Figure 1 Planning Commission Quarterly Numbers Year-to-Date Totals Quarterly Totals January – June Total April – June Total April – June City April – June County Single Family Lots Approved 35 27 0…

The City of Bowling Green recently partnered with Bowen National Research to conduct a housing needs assessment of Bowling Green and Warren County. The study analyzed a variety of local factors that affect housing needs – ranging from commuting patterns, income levels, and employment. The study highlighted that Bowling Green-Warren County has a high population…

The Planning Commission has staffed the Cemetery Board since the board’s creation in 2004. The board is tasked with facilitating cemetery grants from the state, when available, as well as assisting in the preservation and documentation of cemeteries within Warren County. As part of this effort, the Planning Commission not only maps the locations of…

The first few months of 2019 have been busy. Though our re-zonings are lower than previous year-to-date numbers, construction and code enforcement are steadily rising. With warmer weather comes an uptick in construction – both road construction and for subdivisions. Our construction coordinators are out in the field daily, monitoring subdivision standards and regulations. This…

In our world today, there seems to be a societal trend for walkable places, painted bike lanes, and community-driven development. In the planning world, we’re seeing global trends for communities to create places and spaces that encourage people to be outside and provide safe mediums for walking and biking. And we think it’s more than…

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 It’s been a historic year already just in the first few months of 2019 for transportation in the region. The official signing of the newly designated Interstate 165 is underway. All the temporary overlay signage is complete including the new exit numbers and mile points. The new permanent signing will…

We appear to be in the midst of a fundamental change in the housing market relating to demand, preferences, amenities, and need. In addition to the housing market, the retail sector is rapidly evolving from “going” shopping at brick and mortar stores to the expectation of at-home delivery of goods. Globally and locally, we’re on…

We’re continually reporting on growth in our community in a variety of ways. Bowling Green and Warren County have experienced a substantial increase in development – commercial and residential – after seeing a dip in trends after the 2008 housing crisis. While our numbers for development approvals are certainly less than 2017 as shown in…

Here we are yet again – the post-holiday new year, new you energy. Our workplaces exploded with sweets, we gorged on sugar cookies and eggnog, our bank accounts grew thin, and we’ve likely settled for resolutions we’re committed to keep (fingers crossed). Articles abound convincing readers that successful resolutions come in the form of small…

The City of Bowling Green Public Works Department is in full-swing with a number of projects varying from pavement improvements to roadway widenings. The second phase of the Smallhouse Road project, which includes widening to 3 lanes from Highland Way to Ridgecrest Way with an 8 foot multi-use path on one side of the roadway,…

WKU Topper Transit   Topper Transit provides free transit service to Western Kentucky University students, faculty, and staff.  During FY18, WKU faced a 30 million dollar budget reduction.  Each department within WKU faced the daunting challenge of eliminating cost while maintaining adequate service levels to the campus community.   As a result of these budget…

BikeWalkBG, the new name and face for biking and walking advocacy, advising, and education in Bowling Green, wrapped up a fall marketing campaign, building momentum for a more active community. With a new logo and simplified name, BikeWalkBG (formerly Greenways Commission of Bowling Green and Warren County) is seeking to provide more resources about biking…

Our western world is made up of approximately 23% Baby Boomers and 20% Millennials, where the population of Millennials are projected to surpass Boomers in 2019. Both generations are pushing the limits for creative, innovative, and community-driven spaces, yet have different needs and desires for doing so. Some may argue it’s a forward-thinking approach, but…

As we’ve told you before, Warren County’s population has grown exponentially over the past decade, and in particular, we’ve seen a lot of new infrastructure in the past few years. While apartments have been trending throughout our community, this quarter’s numbers reveal 2018 slowing down on apartments. The numbers for building permits, zone changes, plats…

There are many uncertainties for the future of transportation and with that comes a lot of unanswered questions. With a mere century of widespread public ownership of the automobile, our nation is faced with myriad challenges from funding infrastructure projects and drafting safety standards for autonomous vehicles, to incorporating “active” modes of travel and thinking…

Join in as we launch BikeWalk BG, the new face and name supporting bicycling and walking activities in Bowling Green! BikeWalk BG assumes the roles of the previously established Greenways Commission. We’re working to bring awareness to biking and walking in BG, while striving to educate the public on safety tips and the availability of…

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3 The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 3 area has been bustling with many projects improving roads throughout Warren County and the rest of the district. Resurfacing projects on KY 884 (Three Springs Road) and KY 2926 (Old Scottsville Road) were recently completed. A resurfacing project on US 231 (Morgantown Road)…

Western Kentucky University’s Topper Transit is operating their transit fleet using 20% biodiesel.  The biodiesel is a plant based oil that is a renewable energy source and allows Topper Transit to reduce their carbon footprint, thus improving sustainability efforts on campus. The fleet has new signage that reflects the initiative. WKU is partnering with VeoRide,…