Copious Notes

Dudley Webb gave a 15 minute prepared statement to the council then answered questions regarding the stalled Centrepointe development at a city council work session in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, May 5, 2009. Thursday, three town criers will give their own take on Webb's statement. Photo by Pablo Alcala | Staff.

ELandF Gallery is back at it, announcing a line-up of three town criers who will read developer Dudley Webb’s letter to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council on Thursday.

Webb’s letter attempted to explain the apparently stalled Centrepointe project. In the letter, Webb stated that the project was still viable and he expected it to commence in the the near future. He also complained of being maligned by columnists, editorial writers, bloggers and others. Clearly, the ELandF criers won’t make the developer feel any better.

The gallery selected three criers, based on essays they submitted:

• Brittny Congleton, a comedic performer wrote, “By confronting this ridiculous letter of irresponsibility, we bring to the public a rallying point and reminder of broken promises, as well as our responsibility as citizens to communicate.” She said she hopes to wear a, “spectacular yellow dress — like a techni-color Alice and Wonderland (or a female Dick Tracy) searching the streets of Lexington for a purpose and a playground.”
• Elaine Parker wrote, “I can embellish the reading with snorts, groans, and eye rolling . . . “
• Alex Johns wrote, “The Centerpointe project was a huge blow to our local music scene. While both music locales and most the stores have found new homes, there is a different atmosphere and a lack of interest from the community.”

Demolition for the Centrepointe project dislocated numerous entertainment establishments including The Dame (now at the Main Street Live complex next to Thoroughbred Park) and Buster’s (relocating to the Distillery District later this year).

The Town Criers will begin their reading at Third Street Stuff Coffee, 257 N. Limestone, and then separate and read at various locations including the Centrepointe site until 1 p.m., when they will converge on the Puiblic kiosk at the corner of E. Main and Quality streets where they will read and post the letter.

The reading is the latest protest of the Centrepointe project from the gallery, which also sponsored a public mourner of the demolished buildings and other demonstrations.