By Scott White
Managing Editor
Midway City Council approved an encroachment request from the Midway Park Board to erect an interpretive and historic marker at its Tuesday, Sept. 2 meeting. It will be placed in front of the lot where the original John Francisco House was located on Cross Street between Brand and Gratz Streets.
The now vacant lot is owned by Midway University, which has said it has no opposition to the marker.
Mayor Grayson Vandegrift pointed out that it is very similar in design to the well-liked historic sign in Walter Bradley Park about the spring house. The board will install the sign itself.
“It is really neat to show off our history,” said board member Cecelia Gass.
The Reserve
Mike and Chuck Bradley, the developers of The Reserve residential development on Northside Drive, near the Midway Branch of the Woodford County Library, came before the council “to ask forgiveness instead of permission,” according to Vandegrift.
The Bradleys said they mistakenly believed the encroachment permits for sidewalk installation at each residential lot were part of the Planning Commission process, but learned they were wrong.
The development plan calls for a total of nine homes, with three now complete. The approved development plan requires the construction of the sidewalks and that all of the sidewalks be connected.
Vandegrift noted the city does not like to be in this position, but understood. Still, Vandegrift requested that the city engineer, David Brown, review the request for the encroachment permit and advise the City Council. Brown reviewed the materials and recommended that the permits be granted.
The City Council, based on this, approved the request for the two lots for which permits were sought.
Patrick Hall
Council welcomed their colleague Councilmember Patrick Hall back home. Hall had been undergoing a several-week U.S. Army Reserve training, and will now work full time in its legal office. Hall thanked the councilmembers and noted that he came back with some glory, having been a part of the winning team at last Thursday’s Mentors & Meals Team Trivia fundraiser.