Jan. 2--SOMERSET -- The financial situation on the national and state level and the flailing economy may have caused many local and city governments to tighten their purse strings, but it seems that 2008 has been a good year for the City of Somerset -- and 2009 may be even better.

Projects, projects

and more projects

"The changing face of Somerset" was the top local story of 2008, and that couldn't be more appropriate. The city has continued to experience consistent growth despite a recession that was just recently declared to have been in effect since December 2007.

"We've really got the resources to do wonders," said Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler.

Downtown Somerset is in the process of undergoing major changes thanks to the construction of a new judicial center, slated for completion in January 2010, along with the completion of the new Pulaski County Public Library and the opening of the Carnegie Center for the Arts in the building that used to house the library.

"From the streets to new infrastructure ... the judicial center will have an impact on everything," Girdler said. "But we want to make sure it doesn't hurt other downtown businesses or disrupt services."

Girdler is positive about the cosmetic changes to downtown, even though construction of new facilities such as the judicial center has brought about some controversy over the loss of several long-standing downtown businesses and landmarks.

Buildings housing businesses like the Pink Bee and Salutsky's Southern Mercantile have been torn down, and the new library has taken the space that was once occupied by the old First Christian Church.

"It (the judicial center) is going to bring a lot of people downtown and give us an opportunity to do other things around the area that we're planning on," Girdler said.

Plans are also in the works for construction of a new fire station to replace the one located on Sallee Street. Several locations have been studied, including a plot of land at the intersection of Denham Street and new Monticello Street. The council is expected to continue discussions on the new facility within the first months of 2009.

One of the biggest topics among council members was the skateboarding park, which was unveiled in September and is located near the entrance of SomerSplash Water Park on Ky. 2227 in Somerset.

Girdler said plans to expand and improve on the park may come to fruition in the near future if patrons to the park show willingness to take care of it.

"We want to expand it (the park) if they (patrons) are willing to take care of it," Girdler said. "It's been extremely well-used."

A skateboarding and rollerblading ordinance was also on the table for the end of 2008, and the council has yet to approve the ordinance that will outlaw the use of skateboards and other certain wheeled devices inside city limits where signs are posted.

The city also received a $75,000 grant toward constructing a botanical and children's garden adjacent to the library, which is still under construction and is hoped to be finished by spring.