A preliminary view of the proposed extension to Bluegrass Farms Boulevard. The City of Bowling Green and Natcher Parkway Holdings, LLC have agreed to split the $6 million cost to extend the roadway to Plano Road in an attempt to attract mixed-use developers to the land located near I-65.

A large mixed-use development in Bowling Green planned for a 347-acre tract of farmland adjacent to Interstates 65 and 165 is one step closer to fruition after the Bowling Green City Commission on Tuesday approved a more than $7 million bid from Scotty’s Contracting & Stone to complete an extension project on Bluegrass Farms Boulevard.

The project has been in the works since 2023, when the City of Bowling Green partnered with Natcher Parkway Holdings LLC to split the cost of the Bluegrass Farms Boulevard extension.

“We’re wanting to get a development back in there, whether it be retail or some other things,” City Manager Jeff Meisel said. “It’s a really good piece of property and we’re hopeful for the future of it.”

Plans for the land call for retail and dining businesses. Meisel said in 2023 the development would help meet growing demand from younger residents for trendy retail options.

Bluegrass Farms Boulevard will be extended from its current dead-end near RV retailer Camping World to intersect with Plano Road near that road’s interchange with I-165. Meisel said Tuesday the $7,072,042 bid from Scotty’s was the sole one received.

The 1-mile, 6,900-foot extension will consist of three lanes along with sidewalk, storm sewer installation and curb and gutter work, according to a city memo. Developer Natcher Holdings has agreed to pay $3 million toward the project, with the city picking up the other half.

“(Natcher Holdings) have so far been good partners and paid for half of the design and some other things,” Meisel said. “We feel like this project is ready to go.”

The city is also gearing up for beautification work along I-165 with Operation PRIDE, similar to the efforts for welcome signs and landscaping completed along I-65 between exits 20 and 30.

Meisel said the first phase will begin at I-165’s exit onto Morgantown Road, followed by the exits onto Russellville Road and Nashville Road.

To help cover the new projects, the commission approved a funding increase from $150,000 to $200,000 in the city’s BeautifI-65 maintenance agreement with Operation PRIDE, the Warren County Fiscal Court and the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“The project is growing in scope, (and) there’s more to cover now,” Meisel said.

The Jennings Creek area of Bowling Green also saw some attention during Tuesday’s meeting, with commissioners approving the purchase of playground equipment totaling $343,213, part of what Meisel described as “exciting times” for the Jennings Creek Natural Playground.

“This is not your typical playground equipment,” Meisel said in the meeting. “This is some unique stuff.”

The equipment includes slides and a “giant” rope swing along with some “nature-inspired” equipment, according to a city memo.

Funding for the equipment came from a nearly $350,000 donation made to the city by United Way of Southern Kentucky in August 2023 that also covered construction costs.

Cameron Levis, recreation division manager for Bowling Green Parks and Recreation, said in the meeting installation of the equipment is expected to be finished by October.

The commission also approved:

• The annexation of 3.041 acres of property at 750 Lovers Lane presently owned by Kevin and Lynn Kirby adjacent to J.C. Kirby & Sons Funeral Chapels & Crematory
• The purchase of two fire trucks for the Bowling Green Fire Department totaling $2,849,261, with a lead time of 24-48 months on the order.