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Perryville preservation group to disband

May 05, 2012|By JOANNA¿KING | jking@amnews.com

PERRYVILLE — A group dedicated to preserving Perryville’s significance as a Civil War site told city officials Thursday it is disbanding.

Bruce Richardson, a businessman and former mayor, submitted a letter saying the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association has decided to call it quits after 20 years.

Richardson, chairman of the PBPA, said in a letter that a lack of funds due to “the dismal condition of the state treasury,” and the fact that the Perryville Battlefield has formed its own corporation to secure funds for expansion, led the PBPA board to a logical conclusion to disband later this year.

Richardson said during the meeting that the PBPA’s successes since the association was formed have resulted in an expansion of the battlefield from 99 acres to more than 750 today.

“I believe we have completed our mission,”¿Richardson said.

He thanked the council for its focus on the long-term goal of the city to grow without sacrificing historically significant properties.

“We are already working toward a transition,” he said.

The proposed transition plan includes quitting the lease PBPA holds with the city of Perryville on seven downtown properties, including Parks Drygoods Store and the former location of Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, a business Richardson owns that recently moved to Danville.

These properties will now be leased to the Main Street Program for $1 each for 99 years with an obligation, according to program director Vicki Goode, to maintain and restore them.

Four other properties the PBPA owns, including the Opera House and the Bond House and Mill, will be deeded outright to the Main Street Program.

Goode hopes the transition will be not only smooth but also speedy as she is ready to move forward.

“Long-term, we have always wanted to have a museum in one of the historic buildings,” she said.

She also suggested that the upcoming Kentucky Civil War Sesquicentennial might be the perfect time to sell some items Civil War items in storage to raise money for the restoration of properties.

“If we have 50 of some things, and we could use the money,” she said, “it’s something we should think about.”

Mayor Anne Sleet appointed council members Jennifer Bodner and Matt Bottom along with the city attorney to meet with all parties concerning the transition and other details. The council will discuss the matter again June 14.

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