LEXINGTON SPORTING CLUB / ATHENS SOUTH DEVELOPMENT

FAYETTE COUNTY, KY

SITE DEVELOPMENT

Palmer Engineering (Palmer) was contracted by iVisionary Capital Partners (iVCP) in March 2023 to lead public infrastructure design and commercial/retail lot planning for the 70+ acre Athens South development along Athens Boonesboro Road in southeastern Fayette County.

Palmer designed the development’s public infrastructure, including two roadways, a roundabout, storm sewer system, gravity sanitary sewer system, and regional detention basins. Palmer also developed the conceptual utility layout and prepared water line plans for installation by Kentucky American Water Company. Working closely with the Lexington Sporting Club design team, Palmer coordinated roadway and utility connections serving the youth soccer complex and professional soccer stadium.

With the majority of the public infrastructure completed, Palmer continues to support Athens South as commercial and retail development progresses. Palmer maintains the overall site master plan and works with prospective tenants to develop individual lot layouts, beginning with the first commercial lot and its private access roadway.

Unique Aspects

Opportunities
- Master Planning: Helped shape a 70+ acre development from initial infrastructure planning through ongoing commercial and retail buildout.
- Sports Complex Support: Created the infrastructure framework needed to serve the Lexington Sporting Club youth soccer complex and professional stadium.
- Flexible Development: Maintains the overall site master plan while adapting individual commercial lots to meet the needs of prospective tenants.
- Continued Growth: Supports Athens South as it transitions from major infrastructure construction to individual commercial and retail development.
Challenges
- Accelerated Schedule: Met an aggressive design and construction schedule tied to the professional soccer stadium’s September 2024 opening.
- KYTC Coordination: Coordinated development construction with KYTC’s implementation of Kentucky’s first double-lane R-CUT.
- Roadway Improvements: Designed the developer-responsible temporary traffic signal and ROW improvements while coordinating with KYTC’s roadway design and construction activities.
- Multiple Stakeholders: Maintained consistent communication among KYTC, iVCP, the soccer design team, utility providers, contractors, and other project partners.
Successes
- Stadium Opening: Successfully delivered and coordinated the major public infrastructure needed to support the Lexington Sporting Club professional stadium opening.
- Schedule Delivery: Kept critical infrastructure design and construction on schedule for the September 2024 opening.
- Kentucky First: Successfully coordinated the development’s roadway network with Kentucky’s first double-lane R-CUT.
- Development Foundation: Established the infrastructure needed to support continued commercial and retail growth throughout Athens South.
- Ongoing Partnership: Transitioned from large-scale infrastructure development to individual commercial lot design while continuing to manage and adapt the overall site master plan.