National Historic District
BARDSTOWN, KY
The Most Beautiful Small Town in America
J. Richard Hill & Co. has played a major role in the revitalization of the downtown of Bardstown, Kentucky, which is known as the Bourbon Capital of the World. Over a 25-year period, J. Richard Hill & Co. has produced comprehensive revitalization plans, conducted community workshops, directed planning for Bardstown’s Main Street (North Third Street), guided the master planning of the 3rd & Broadway Park, and served in an advisory role for the town’s National Historic District and Fine Arts Guild.
In 2012, after implementation of the Main Street Improvement Plan, Rand McNalley and USA Today voted Bardstown as the Most Beautiful Small Town in America. Bardstown has over 2-billion dollars of distillery developments within 20-miles of its downtown.
J. Richard Hill & Co. has conducted extensive market research, economic modeling, design studies, urban plans, and developed revitalization plans leading to extensive public and private investment into the town’s Historic District. Community workshops, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings lead by Rick Hill have always been the hallmark of the company’s approach to public planning and strategies.
New in-fill residential and commercial projects have been completed, a 1970s era traffic pattern was replaced with a traditional roundabout at a key gateway into the Historic District, the grounds of a Civil War era hospital were converted into an event lawn, and the company directed the master planning of the 3rd & Broadway Park which includes a fountain, extensive landscaping, gardens, public restrooms, walks, and a “gathering lawn” to allow for a wide variety of opportunities for socialization and entertainment.
Lightbulb Moment
“Commitment to ongoing public workshops builds a consensus of a community wide shared vision that builds trust and commitment to a plan’s success.”