About the DLC

Celebrating 20 Years!

Unique Mission

The Downtown Lexington Corporation (DLC) has a unique position as a membership organization. The work is an ongoing process and the momentum has been focused on new growth and change.

DLC, with more than 350 members who represent the largest businesses, the smallest proprietors and entrepreneurs, neighborhood associations, churches, educational institutions, and individuals, is a community and business advocacy group founded in 1988. DLC encourages responsible economic development in the downtown business core and in the various neighborhoods surrounding this central area. DLC advocates diversity, communication and leadership in assisting property owners, businesses, employees and residents in making Downtown Lexington a location for retail businesses, restaurants, offices, arts and cultural activities as well as a wonderful place to live and work.

Policy Statements

The Downtown Lexington Corporation Believes in:

• Promoting Downtown Lexington as a unique and vibrant place to live, work and play. 
• Providing positive quality of life experiences for people living in or visiting Downtown Lexington.
• Ensuring that we are a competitively attractive city for the next generation of intellectual talent.
• Advocating for a pedestrian friendly downtown and promoting the use of alternative transportation.
• Acting as a conduit for information sharing in Fayette County and the surrounding counties. 
• Supporting the City and other organizations in working on homeless issues. 
• Promoting and supporting the arts in Downtown Lexington. 
• Supporting well thought out infill and redevelopment projects in the Downtown area. 
• Supporting the current Tax Increment Financing (TIF) laws as an economic development tool. 
• Working closely with the Mayor’s office, local leaders and city representatives to streamline communication and efforts to improve Downtown Lexington. 
• Preserving the unique stock of historic neighborhoods that surround our downtown. 
• Providing a forum for downtown merchants and business owners to voice their concerns. 
• Phasing conversion of our 1-way streets back to 2-way when and where feasible. 
• Advocating for affordable housing in downtown for both low and moderate incomes. 
• Implementing a comprehensive wayfinding system for both downtown and beyond.

• Sustaining a healthy urban forest as a vital component of the social, environmental and economic health and safety of Downtown Lexington.

Getting It Done

Successful downtown strengthening doesn't just happen. It requires bold and committed leadership (in both the public and private sectors), focused and consistent actions, and much collaborative involvement from those with a stake and/or an interest in Downtown. In Lexington, such engagements are actively underway through--and by--the DLC and its active committees.

The DLC, relying heavily on its membership and the commitment and involvement of individuals and businesses, conducts its business through committees and staff support. The decision-making and implementation structure employed by the Downtown Lexington Corporation and its committees allows for great capacity and input in ongoing downtown management, development and promotional efforts. It produces meaningful involvement and ownership on the part of the participants and assures that diverse and representative group are given an opportunity to impact decisions.

Goals and Strategies

Constant evaluation and adjustment are needed to provide the smooth transition necessary in an evolving center city. DLC responds with careful planning and a focused agenda.