Bob Glenn, 64, is seeking another term on the Owensboro City Commission. Saying the City is headed in a positive direction, he’s looking to help foster development on the west side of town, starting with a senior center.
Glenn, currently serving his 5th term as Commission, said finalizing plans for the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County’s new location could happen sooner than some may anticipate.
“I think in the next 6 months, we’ll see an agreed-upon direction for the senior center,” he said. “… I think they’re now in total control over what direction they go and so hopefully we’ll have less debate less discord and we’ll be able to move forward.”
Glenn said that if they complete the senior center plan, the west side of town will have another positive resource and stakeholder to serve all seniors, regardless of where they live.
Glenn said he also sees potential for more retail opportunities, affordable housing, and other ways to put investments into the community on the west side.
He recalled conversing with business owners in the strip centers on and around West Parrish Avenue and Carter Road, asking what they felt would make the area more attractive to live and work in.
“There’s absolutely no doubt that it is definitely a side of town that, compared to the east side, doesn’t get the same economic investment level, and there are reasons for that. But what are those reasons besides income or the value of housing, and what can we do to change that,” Glenn said.
He said projects like the York Area Flood will signal to residents that the City wants to continue to work on the west side of town and improve the overall quality of life.
An essential factor, Glenn said, is finding a way to get the quasi-public sector involved through state or joint city-county investment.
“We just have to be a unified voice to say this is what we want to do. So I think that’s important,” Glenn said. “… [Greater Owensboro Economic Development President Claude Bacon] and his staff also need to be part of that discussion about the west side because there’s no reason that we can’t look for businesses and industries that can locate there and create employment and create a spark a significant spark of economic growth,” Glenn said.
Glenn said he thinks Owensboro will see a new growth cycle in the next 5 years.
As a retired teacher, Glenn said he looks forward to seeing where the community can take itself to the next generation, and he wants to use the Neighborhood Alliances to help generate change.
“What can we do to reinvigorate or reenergize (the community),” he said. “That too can fuel improvements from neighborhood to neighborhood, including on the west side of our city.”
