The annexation of Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park to Calvert City was originally predicted to conclude by mid-April, but the ordinance to annex the park has still yet to have its first reading before the city council.
Mayor Lynn Jones said the annexation ordinance’s first reading would have occurred at Monday night’s regular council meeting, but there’s been a hold-up with state paperwork. He said there's a chance the paperwork could be done in time for Thursday's special budget meeting, but the ordinance's introduction might be pushed to the next regular meeting, scheduled for July 14.
Jones said getting the annexation done in time for the resort’s busy holiday weekends this summer is probably now unrealistic.
“If the intent is to be able to provide alcohol in the park for sales, that’s still permitting away, have to go through the process of permitting that and getting the application,” Jones said. “I believe that’s probably a 45-60 day period itself, so getting it done for this summer is going to start stretching it.”
The mayor's hope is that Calvert City’s liquor-by-the-drink alcohol sales will fuel more tourism to the park, particularly large groups and conventions. Jones said the city also has plans for making walking trails on the park and cleaning up fallen trees left over from 2009’s ice storm. He said the resort and the city can collaborate on their individual tourist draws, like Independence Day celebrations and KDV's yearly arts and crafts festival.
