Note: Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson was unable to attend this meeting as she is representing Paducah at the Waste Management Symposia. Wilson represents the City of Paducah and the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA), where she serves on the Executive Board. The ECA is a non-profit membership organization of local governments located near or impacted by U.S. Department of Energy activities.
Noble Park 100th Anniversary Celebration
Assistant Director of Recreation Taylor Morsching provided an overview of the 100th anniversary celebration planned this year for Bob Noble Park. The Noble Park 100 initiative focuses on recognizing the park’s history, celebrating the memories created there, and inspiring continued improvements and care for the future.
The park began in 1926 when Robert H. Noble donated $10,000 to establish the space, which was soon named Bob Noble Park. Early features included the iconic entrance “castle” and wall, a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, a baseball field, and horseshoe pitching grounds. Over the following decades, additional attractions were added, including the Noble Park Pool in 1937, Funland amusement area in 1953 (which closed in 1988), and various facilities such as the dedication of the Wacinton statue in 1985. The park also evolved socially and physically, including desegregation in the 1950s and multiple renovations to improve amenities. From 1989 to today, the park has continued to grow with new facilities and improvements such as renovations to the pool, upgrades to Noble Park Lake, new playgrounds and sports courts, the amphitheatre, skatepark, and the Greenway Trail connection. Recent additions include the Music Garden, pickleball courts, and dog parks.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the city plans to plant 100 trees in 2026 to increase species diversity and complement the park’s older trees. Sponsorship opportunities will be available for individuals and organizations. A Noble Park 100 Gift Shop will offer items such as t-shirts, posters, and magnets. The Noble Park 100 four-day celebration will be held July 30 through August 2 featuring movies in the park, concerts, recreation and kids’ activities, a history walk, a pop-up farmers’ market, and discounted admission to the Noble Park Pool.
Development Agreement for the Property at 1501 Broadway
In 2024, the Kentucky Housing Corporation identified a significant housing shortage of more than 3800 housing units in McCracken County. With housing as a priority of the Paducah Board of Commissioners, the City of Paducah issued a request for proposals (RFP) on February 6, 2025, seeking developers to build housing on the city-owned Katterjohn property at 1501 Broadway. The submission deadline was March 31, 2025, and two proposals were received.
After reviewing the proposals, the City Commission is declaring the property surplus and approving the transfer of the property to Westwood Development LLC through a development agreement that allows construction of 12 single-family homes. These homes will be approximately 1800 square feet with an estimated value of $400,000.
On February 12, 2026, the Paducah Planning Commission held a public hearing for the property and approved the preliminary subdivision plat for the property. At its March 2, 2026, meeting, the Planning Commission held a second public hearing to hear comments from the public before approving the final plat for the subdivision. The Jefferson Street neighborhood has met with the subdivision developer as well to provide input regarding the configuration of the homes on the property. Earlier in the meeting, several members of the community voiced their concerns about the layout of the proposed development since the homes do not face Jefferson or Broadway.
The Katterjohn site, a 3.21-acre property purchased by the City in 2023, previously contained a deteriorated building that had not been properly maintained by former owners. In 2024, the city demolished the structure and addressed environmental concerns using Brownfield Assessment Grant funds, preparing the site for redevelopment. City leaders see the property as an opportunity for infill development to help address the community’s housing needs.
Boards and Commissions
- Appointment of Jennifer Cook to the Paducah-McCracken County Senior Citizens Board.
- Appointment of Paul King to the Commissioners of Water Works.
- Appointment of Rick Cochran and reappointment of Mark Kettler to the Paducah Golf Commission.
Additional Meeting Information
- Mayor George Bray presented a proclamation to NeuroRestorative representatives proclaiming March as Brain Injury Awareness Month.
- Mayor Bray presented a proclamation to Erick Mowers and Tiffany Benberry who serve on the board of directors for the West Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross proclaiming March as American Red Cross Month.
- Mayor Bray honored Brandon and Nikki Allen as a Duke and Duchess of Paducah. They own and operate Allen Music at 215 Kentucky Avenue. Allen Music has been a family-owned business for more than 45 years.
- Municipal Order approved for the acquisition of 729 South 13th Street.
- Municipal Order approved for the declaration and sale of city-owned property at 715 Jones Street.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Engineering Department to release a request for proposals for the repair of a storm pipe at Pump Station No. 5. at the Harrison Street floodwall opening.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the Engineering Department to release a request for proposals for the design, engineering, permitting, and administration for the Coleman Road Sidewalk Project. This project would be funded, in part, by a FY2026 Carbon Reduction Funding Grant.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the application for the Kentucky Pride Fund Composting grant requesting $502,416, which if awarded, would be used to purchase a trommel screen for use at the Compost Facility.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the transfer of three surplus police vehicles to McCracken County Schools.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the addendum to the Hotel Metropolitan Co-Stewardship Agreement.
- Municipal Order approved for the redemption/defeasance of outstanding bonds (2013A and 2018B). This action will authorize the early retirement of these bonds.
- Ordinance approved for a 10-year, non-exclusive, telecommunications franchise agreement with Lumos Fiber.
- Ordinance introduced amending Paducah Code of Ordinances Section 126-3. The revision would allow medical cannabis facilities to use branded colors and logos in their signage but not allow any depictions of cannabis or cannabis products. No neon lighting would be permitted.
- Ordinance introduced to approve the three-year agreement between the City of Paducah the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (ASFCME) Local 1586. This agreement would go into effect July 1, 2026.
- Ordinance introduced to approve the three-year agreement between the City of Paducah and the Paducah Police Bargaining Unit. This agreement would go into effect July 1, 2026.
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