THE FAÇADE WORK on the historic Oddfellows Lodge on Main Street in Midway has been completed. This brings an end to a nearly 10-year saga of the city dealing with an eyesore in the downtown’s commercial and tourist district. This photograph was taken on Monday, Dec. 1. (Photo by Grayson Vandegrift)

The historic Oddfellows Lodge Building at 116 E Main Street, built in the late 19th century, owned by Ness Alamdari since 2016, has completed the facade work, taken down the scaffolding covering the frontage and abutting sidewalk, and now blends right in with its downtown neighbors.

Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift announced at the Midway City Council meeting on Monday, Dec. 1 that Alamdari had concluded the facade work before the expiration of the most recent encroachment permit extension and, as far as the facade was concerned, was in compliance with Midway codes.

This meant that the $1,500 penalty assessed Alamdari for a zone violation was erased by the most recent order of the Midway Code Enforcement Board, which had upheld the violation appealed by Alamdari on Nov. 20. Alamdari had till Dec. 1 to come into compliance or risk higher fines.

Alamdari is still facing fines related to building code violations for issues with the rear of the building, which is not visible from the front sidewalk. Alamdari previously had told the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Architectural Review Board and the City Council that once the facade work was complete, he would be able to begin finishing the interior and rear work needed to make the building commercially viable.

Given that the downtown commercial center is a critical tourism destination not just for the city and Woodford County, but Central Kentucky in general, this was a major accomplishment of the current government officials.

Toward that end, the city, led by Mayor Grayson Vandegrift and Midway City Council, while working closely with Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Planning Director Steve Hunter, appointed a full code enforcement board chaired by Steele Rouse and increased fines and enforcement of existing building code and zone violations in Midway.

Noting that a public health and safety issue had been resolved, Vandegrift said, “It’s been a long time coming, but this is a big day . . . at least it’s not that eyesore that it was.”

Park Board

The City Council approved a second reading of an ordinance making changes to the size and term lengths of members of the Park Board. All terms will now be five years, and members can be reappointed to successive terms.

313 N Winter Street

Vandegrift provided the council with an update on the status of the property at 313 N Winter Street, which burned down some time ago, but nothing has been done to rebuild or demolish/haul away the remains of the structure.

Though it was hoped the matter would be resolved by the property owner, Vandegrift said the owner cannot afford to have the work done, but does not oppose a demolition.

City Attorney Sharon Gold advised Vandegrift that, although there is a standing demolition order from 2023, she questions its enforceability since it was not obtained under the city’s appeal process.

Instead, Vandegrift said he is working with Gold to work out an arrangement in which the city would pay for the demolition/haul away, and then attach a lien to the property so the city could recoup its expenses from a future sale of the property. Vandegrift said he would report back to the council once a possible agreement is reached for its approval.