Blue Sky
BUILDING MOMENTUM FOR THE FUTURE OF AN OUTDATED INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
Lexington took a proactive approach to the Blue Sky District, an industrial area near I-75 and the Athens–Boonesboro Road interchange. Added to the city’s Urban Service Boundary in 2023, the district became the focus of a Small Area Plan that favors infill over greenfield growth. The plan builds on existing infrastructure to activate underused lots, support long-standing industrial businesses, and shape new opportunities at the regional gateway near Exit 104.
Yard & Co. led the engagement and branding, centering local voices through pop-ups, business roundtables, a targeted survey, and a three-day design workshop. The team delivered a final Small Area Plan, a brand and engagement kit, and an implementation toolbox with short-term pilots and longer-term land-use and infrastructure recommendations.
Together, planning and engagement produced a roadmap for growth that supports economic opportunity, protects nearby rural land, and reflects Lexington’s values and character.
Services
Planning | Branding | Activation
Timeframe
2025 - Present
Client
City of Lexington, Kentucky
Location
Lexington, Kentucky
PROBLEM
The Blue Sky District, though strategically located, remains underutilized with a lack of investment and disconnected from Lexington’s broader vision for smart, sustainable growth.
SOLUTION
Create a targeted Small Area Master Plan will guide thoughtful redevelopment, activating vacant land and aligning future use with citywide goals.
ACTION
Lead a dynamic community engagement process to ensure the plan is shaped by local insight, creativity, and real community needs.
