PAVER Pavement Analysis Program Update
Maegan Mansfield, Chief Growth Officer with Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing (BFW), provided an update on BFW’s ongoing contract with the City of Paducah for the pavement management system. The City approved a multi-year agreement with BFW in November 2021 to conduct pavement inspections on city streets using the PAVER software program.
Paducah’s detailed pavement inspection program began in 2018 with the evaluation of approximately 200 miles of city streets. Each street segment was assigned a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) rating—a score between 0 and 100 that reflects overall pavement health, with higher numbers indicating better condition. To ensure the data remains accurate, 20 percent of the city’s streets are re-inspected each year. By 2026, all city streets will have been reassessed since that 2018 initial inspection.
The PCI data plays a critical role in cost planning and budgeting for street maintenance. Streets with a PCI rating of 65 or lower—classified as “fair” or worse—should be rehabilitated promptly, as delaying repairs significantly increases costs. Mansfield reported that 37 percent of Paducah’s streets currently fall into the poor, very poor, serious, or failed categories. When using the PCI threshold of 65, approximately half of the city’s roadways need rehabilitation. Over the past four years, local repair and rehabilitation efforts have generally kept pace with pavement deterioration, but the City’s goal is to have rehabilitation efforts begin to outpace the rate of decline.
Mansfield also reviewed the streets rehabilitated in 2025 and presented a map highlighting those scheduled for rehabilitation in 2026. Streets are prioritized based on several factors, including PCI data from the PAVER program, upcoming utility projects, traffic volumes, and public input. For the current fiscal year, the City of Paducah has increased its investment in street rehabilitation, allocating $3.1 million—up from $2.7 million in the previous fiscal year.
Community Scholarship Presentation
West Kentucky Community & Technical College representatives including President Dr. Anton Reece provided an update on the Community Scholarship Program and thanked the City for its support. The Board also heard testimonials from two students who have participated in the program, Laken Hill and Jayda Reed. At this meeting, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding in support of the Community Scholarship Program, a public–private partnership that reduces financial barriers to postsecondary education and supports local workforce development through West Kentucky Community and Technical College.
Paducah Sports Park Update
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Order authorizing Contract Modification No. 5 with A&K Construction for soil stabilization at the Paducah Sports Park by CFSB. This soil stabilization is for the parking lot areas. The McCracken County Fiscal Court and the McCracken County Sports Tourism Commission have approved this contract modification as well. In June 2024, the City approved a contract with A&K for the construction of the Paducah Sports Park in partnership with the McCracken County Fiscal Court and the McCracken County Sports Tourism Commission.
Application for Carbon Reduction Funding for Coleman Road Sidewalk
The Paducah Board of Commissions approved a Municipal Order authorizing the submission of an application through the Paducah-McCracken County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Fiscal Year 2026 Carbon Reduction Funding Program dollars. The Paducah-McCracken MPO has $168,138 available in funding, which requires a 20% local match.
This program supports projects that help reduce transportation-related emissions. The City’s funding request focuses on professional design services for a new 5-foot-wide sidewalk and pedestrian bridge along Coleman Road. The proposed project would extend approximately 0.5 miles, connecting the intersection of Hinkleville Road (U.S. 60) to the nearby railroad crossing, improving pedestrian safety and accessibility in the area.
Transportation Alternative Program Grant Application
The Paducah Board of Commissioners approved a Municipal Order to apply for a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The City of Paducah is seeking up to $800,000 in federal funding to help construct the Norton Street Spur, a part of the Greenway Trail Southside Expansion (Greenway Trail Phase 7). The City will contribute a 20% local match of up to $200,000, bringing the total project cost to no more than $1,000,000. The project includes building a 10-foot-wide trail with underground electric service and decorative lighting, extending from Walter Jetton Boulevard to South 6th Street. The design reflects input gathered during the Greenway Trail Southside Expansion public involvement process.
Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Program Subcontract Awards
In 2024, the City of Paducah applied for and received the $750,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant to assist with local historic revitalization efforts. The grant’s purpose is to promote economic development in rural communities by supporting the rehabilitation of historic buildings and resources. Through this program, federal funds are distributed to locally selected projects that best address community needs. A competitive local application process was held from May 19 to July 3, 2025, resulting in 17 submissions. After a review process, this Municipal Order approves subawards for the following recipients:
- James Martin and Sara Bradley – Johnston-Backus Building: $100,000 for electrical, plumbing, drywall, and HVAC upgrades.
- Market House Theatre – Education Building: $100,000 for structural repairs to windows, exterior walls, and doors.
- Andrew McGlenon – Guthrie Building: $88,996 for boiler and HVAC upgrades.
- PGJM LLC (Paul Gourieux) – Vanguard Building: $100,000 for plumbing upgrades.
- Columbia Theater - $100,000 for upgrades to the vestibule and ticket booth
Boards and Commissions
- Appointment of Deb Domke and Joseph DiJulio to the Paducah Main Street Board.
- Appointment of Danny Brown to the Code Enforcement Board.
- Reappointment of Lanie Fearon and appointment of Michael Stone to the Barkley Regional Airport Authority Board.
- Reappointment of Charles “Chip” Boyle and appointment of David Hutcheson to the Commissioners of Water Works.
- Ordinance introduced to amend Chapter 70 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the composition of the Brooks Stadium Commission. The amendment authorizes the Board of Commissioners to appoint one or more ex officio, non-voting members to serve in an advisory capacity. The ordinance also appoints Eddie Jones to the Brooks Stadium Commission to replace Dr. Frank “Doc” Hideg and designates Dr. Hideg as an ex officio member.
Additional Meeting Information
- Mayor Bray and Assistant City Manager Michelle Smolen introduced a new employee in the Administrative Department, Ian Puckett, who serves as the Assistant to the Mayor and Commissioners.
- Municipal Order approved for the acquisition of a temporary construction easement deed for the property at 1930 North 8th Street to provide access to Pump Station No. 14.
- Municipal Order approved for Change Order No. 1 with Jim Smith Contracting for additional scope of work for the Paducah Riverfront Infrastructure Improvement Project (BUILD Grant Project).
- Municipal Order approved for a contract with Hughes Environmental for the system cleaning and ductwork sealing for City Hall’s HVAC system.
- Municipal Order approved authorizing the certification of Paducah Housing Authority Plans consistent with the Consolidated Plan for Public Housing and Section 8 Programs.
- City Hall and other city offices are closed on Monday, January 19 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
###
