Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift told the Midway City Council at the Feb. 17 meeting that there were four bids for the former fire station located on the south side of E. Bruen Street between Winter and Church Street. The winning bid for $251,000 was Property Transactions, LLC.
The council issued an Invitation for Bids after the opening of the new fire station in Midway Station last month. The request was unusual in that it did not require the city to accept the highest bid, but could consider other factors including the intended use of the building.
Of the four bids, the one from Property Transactions, LLC, Heather Gatewood of Woodford County, principal, was the highest, with a good faith deposit of $12,550. Her business partner, whose name was not yet disclosed, is a member of the Versailles Fire Department. The proposal included a detailed proposal of the plans for the building.
“We plan to transform the historic old fire station into an inviting social hub featuring a bar and event space complemented by state-of-the-art golf simulators,” said the proposal. “‘The Bruen Bunker’ will enhance Midway’s vibrant downtown by offering a unique venue where residents and visitors can gather to enjoy craft cocktails, beer and coffee in a lively family-friendly environment.”
In addition, the owners plan to also operate a “farm fresh market” from late spring to early fall, offering a place for local growers to sell produce and other items. Paul’s Market in Louisville was pointed out as the model for this market.
The other offers were from Right Place Rentals for $250,000, which proposed to lease the building to tradespeople such as HVAC or plumbing; Roger Campion for $211,000, who did not disclose a proposed use; and Doug and Julia Watson for $206,000, who planned to remodel the station for housing and the warehouse in the rear for workspace and storage for Watson Builders.
Councilmember Logan Nance said he preferred the Property Transactions bid not just because it was the highest, though that was good too. “I like the level of detail they provided, and their use will fit in well,” he said.
Councilmember Kaye Nita Gallagher agreed. “It works really well with the existing aesthetic of downtown,” she said.
Councilmember Ian VanSteenbergh said, “It is the most competitive bid, and, personally, I think it is the best one and provides a good social spot.”
Vandegrift said he thought what separated this bid is that “it is the only one which involves a public use . . . something everyone can enjoy. These golf simulator businesses have proven successful in other cities, and you don’t even need to be a golfer to enjoy them. And, since there will be employees, we will see some occupational tax.”
Councilmember Patrick Hall joked, “Given its history as a firehouse, maybe they should do axe throwing instead of golf.”
New valet service
Cortney Neikirk, president of the Midway Merchants Association, received approval for an encroachment permit on Main Street from the council. The association will be kicking off a free valet service for Midway businesses on Wednesday through Saturday, from 5 – 9 p.m. every week. The association has contracted with Xpress Parking Services to provide the service; they will not require any funding from the city. Instead, Neikirk said the association will pay the entire cost.
James Giles of Xpress Parking said his team will pick up the vehicle from the patron near the entrance of Heirloom Restaurant, park the car at the large lot at Kentucky Cannabis Company and, when the patron is ready to leave, they will go to a booth directly across the railroad tracks using the pedestrian crossing to retrieve their car. Giles said the wait should be no longer than two minutes.
Kentucky Cannabis owner Bill Polyniak is not charging the association anything to use the lot, and views it as a way to give back to the local business community of which he is a part.
“Based on our experience with running valet at Keeneland and several Lexington downtown restaurants and other events, we don’t expect there will be any backup or long waits,” Giles said. “We can always add more drivers if needed . . . we will see how things go the first few weeks.”
Neikirk added, “We have a contract with Xpress and then we have a separate contract with each business.”
Giles and Neikirk confirmed anyone can use the valet service regardless of which business or restaurant they are visiting.
“If someone just wants to drive to Midway, valet their car and then spend three hours standing in the middle of the tracks, we will still take care of their vehicle,” said Giles.
Annual audit
Midway’s outside auditor, SK Lee CPA’s, LLC, presented the annual audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Sammy Lee, C.P.A., went through the lengthy audited financial statements report with the council.
“Once again, we are giving our gold standard opinion – this is a clean opinion, it is the very best we can give . . . so, congratulate yourself and your staff for their excellent work,” said Lee, adding that the city observed and applied all appropriate internal controls.
Vandegrift expressed his appreciation to Liz Waterfill and Sonya Conner for their outstanding work, and believed the council and city workers should take pride in the sound financial position of Midway city government.
Water service inventory
Vandegrift informed the council and the community that all residents will soon be receiving a letter mandated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for a water service line inventory. This is a requirement for all cities in the U.S. as a result of the Flint, Michigan, lead pipe scandal. The EPA is now requiring cities to determine the composition of each line carrying water in its system.
“For anything built or renovated after 1988, we know it is PVC since any lead or lead composite piping was made illegal in Kentucky. Even so, the EPA requires us to send these letters,”
Vandegrift said. “This is a good thing, but we know our water has zero lead in it given how we filter and treat.”
The city will be able to report on its lines, but for service lines going into homes, the owners are required to make the report.
“The letter everyone receives will explain how to complete the form and return it. Folks will also be able to check our website about it if they have any questions,” he said. “But no one needs to be alarmed when they open a letter from the EPA about lead in the water.”