Wendell Honeycutt, the chairperson of the city of Glasgow’s finance committee, listens as members of the committee speak during a meeting held inside the Peoples Bank in Glasgow in early 2020.
(WCLU NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Story by Angela Briggs, special to WCLU News
GLASGOW — The Glasgow City Council’s finance committee is scheduled to meet Thursday evening to discuss a much talked about farmers market project.
Wendell Honeycutt, the finance committee’s chairperson, said he expected a meeting would happen sooner than later. The finance committee’s last meeting ended before an expected report from park advocates. The abrupt conclusion to the meeting left park advocates questioning whether the committee would hear from them again.
“Nobody’s given up on it. We’re moving forward,” Honeycutt said. “We’re going to meet and talk about costs next time.”
Community member Wes Simpson began “trolling for a park” in the summer of 2019. The park is a part of an idea to use a plot of land near downtown Glasgow for a farmers market pavilion and park. Three years later, the idea has continued to move forward – albeit slow at times.
The original idea for the park was soon followed by drawings and building plans, which were completed at no cost to the city of Glasgow. About $1 million of private monies was also pledged toward the project. Additional funding opportunities through various grants has been discussed since then. And the city of Glasgow was asked to contribute to the park’s construction.
Sustainable Glasgow, a non-profit group, operates “Bounty of the Barrens” farmers market each Saturday. The market is hosted around Glasgow’s Square during the summer season and at the University of Kentucky Extension Office during the winter. The group has supported Simpson’s project as they continue to seek a permanent home in the community. Part of the project’s plans includes a park area and green space. A farmers pavilion is also in the plan.
Whether the city of Glasgow could afford such a project has been a major point of discussion, with those in support being just as adamant as those in dissent.
Stephanie Garrett, city treasurer, was pressed at the last meeting of the city’s finance committee meeting to disclose the city’s financial standing. She admitted the city’s daily cash on hand is about $14 million.
The admission has left many wondering why certain projects, employee raises, infrastructure work and investment opportunities have been denied by city officials who have said the city “just couldn’t afford it.”
Brandy Button oversees Bounty of the Barrens. She said she has worked with April Russell, city grant writer, to find additional funding sources for the project. Button said they applied for a $1.5 million grant. The money could be used to cover the city’s portion of the park’s construction, but the farmers market must be included.
The finance committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. inside the council chambers conference room. The room is located on the second floor of Glasgow City Hall.
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