Woodward Heights has enough traffic, noise issues without a new soccer stadium.

We are thrilled about the beautiful new look of Rupp Arena and the Central Bank Center. Also, we acknowledge that Town Branch Park will be a wonderful asset for Lexington and feel fortunate that it will be adjacent to our neighborhood, Woodward Heights.

However, with the increased automotive and foot traffic anticipated for the “new” Rupp, the CB Center, Krikorian’s LexLive, Hyatt Hotel, Town Branch Park as well as the Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co at Alltech, there is already a lot going on and more on the way. So, when we heard about the proposed 6,000 seat professional soccer facility, we were shocked. The lights, the noise and the traffic will be a total nightmare for all who live in the adjacent neighborhoods, as well as bringing much increased traffic on Broadway, which gets backed up during events. We were already concerned about what it will be like with an amphitheatre in Town Branch Park, as sounds carry easily around here due to all the hard surfaces. We used to clearly hear the elephants trumpet and lions roar when the circus came to Rupp, and they weren’t amplified!

In addition, we also live with “dead man’s curve” on West High Street between Rupp and Oliver Lewis Way, where cars fly by going 60+ mph in a 25mph zone. During 2021 we had more than 10 accidents, 4 of those were fatalities, and serious structural damage was done to homes in that curve. It is frightening and dangerous to say the least.

We certainly hope a safe solution can be found on High Street through the recent traffic study ordered by the City, as people are afraid to cross the street, plus it is clearly not safe to walk on the sidewalks. Beyond loss of life and damage to houses, trees and landscaping have routinely been destroyed and it is a regular occurrence to witness cars coming the wrong way on High Street! Now, we have more young families with small children, as well as elderly folks living in the neighborhood, plus more will visit and park in the proposed facilities to access Town Branch Park. How will people in these demographics safely cross High Street to reach the Park, when an able bodied person has to think twice before running across High Street as oncoming traffic barrels toward them in the present situation?

We are mentioning these matters, because the soccer proposal would have an even more negative impact on West High Street traffic.

Soccer is a great sport, so we appreciate the excitement it might generate. However, as for a soccer stadium, we know how loud the crowds can be. Therefore, this is not the best possible use for that parcel of land especially when located adjacent to established, historic neighborhoods.

As for a place for professional soccer, UK already has a fine soccer field that can be used until a new stadium can be built. Also, a soccer facility placed further along I-75/I-64, which we think was discussed by them, could help attract soccer fans from other parts of Kentucky.

We certainly understand if parking and housing will be included in any proposal, but sincerely hope that the soccer stadium will be built in a more suitable location.

Whichever proposal is chosen, it would be much appreciated if a suitable buffer between any new structure and the Historic Woodward Heights neighborhood would be an integral part of the proposal. (Lots of trees maybe?) Hopefully any tall building will be closer towards Broadway, and not overshadow the older homes on Merino Street next to the west side of the proposed lot.

So, we hope that an appropriate proposal will prevail that will not create a huge, dangerous increase in traffic on West High Street, leading to more disasters. Also, a plan that will respect and protect the thriving historic neighborhood adjacent to that parcel of land.

Helene Steene is president of the Historic Woodward Heights Neighborhood Association and wrote on behalf of that organization.