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[RCKT_RCCN]

https://www.wave3.com/2019/10/17/town-hall-meeting-held-discuss-possible-resort-red-river-gorge/

Did anyone else see this? Anybody make it to the town hall meeting? I wonder where they are seeking to build.

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[matt colvin]

So would this be a privately owned resort? It seems like there are many options already, including the Natural Bridge State Resort Park.

[jacksan]

Hemlock Lodge at NBSP is showing its age. They say they're doing some updates this winter, here's hoping! We had so many problems (some minor, some not) on our last stay that we'll wait for some real updates before trying them again.

[RCKT_RCCN]

https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/linda-blackford/article236318058.html

Here's an op-ed with a little more info on the resort. Totally conceptual at this point, and not a remodel of the state resort park. I have to wonder where 900 acres of pristine real estate along the parkway between the state park and the Gorge proper would be. I don't really like the sound of that.

[Bazinga]

Hubby saw an article where it showed a map of the land next to/up behind the rest area.  I'll try to hunt it down.

[matt colvin]

I think this would destroy the Gorge as we knew it. I went yesterday when the temperature was about 35 and beautifully sunny, and spent about 15 minutes just sitting all by myself at a special outlook just off of Rough Trail. 2 nice, polite adults joined and out of respect for them I explained that I had just had the privilege to enjoy this particular area by myself for several minutes and I would move along so they could do the same...that this was an uncommon experience now because it is so popular. I went back on Rough Trail and enjoyed about 10 minutes at Gray's Arch again by myself.

I share that just to say that I understand how uncommon it is to get to enjoy the Gorge without a parking lot full of people going with you as well. To enjoy some quiet, peaceful time and to have it in such nice conditions.

A move such as this could destroy that mystique and sense, however small and uncommon as it is, of being outside and remotely removed from the developed areas most of us inhabit. I don't go there to rub elbows with others and wait in line for my 30 second photo op. I go to relax, see some of EKY's best collection of beauty, and to feel reinvigorate about the place in general. I live in Prestonsburg, and RRG as well as the other special places helps me feel thankful for that .

Maybe I'm just being selfish, but I don't understand why they cannot simply overhaul Hemlock Lodge. The state parks could be awesome but they have been allowed to go downhill. I think people would use them more if they were polished up some. May Lodge was revamped some a few years ago after a fire, and they really half-you-know-whatted that opportunity in my opinion.

[onemansadventure]

I have to wonder where 900 acres of pristine real estate along the parkway between the state park and the Gorge proper would be. I don't really like the sound of that.

Just north of the rest area.  There are 700-900 acres owned by one person in that area.

[jacksan]

I spoke to the groundskeeper for what I think is the same property last week about an unrelated topic, on Rt 15: https://goo.gl/maps/jLrrUSmi74DPhRxq8. He said the property (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.8066789,-83.704076,14.99z/data=!5m1!1e4?hl=en) runs W-E from 15 all the way to Tunnel Ridge road, and N-S from the ridge top (on your right while driving up Nada Tunnel Rd towards the tunnel) to ... he didn't say where the southern property line was. Mentioned millions $ of timber on the property including a virgin stand. Cave Branch creek runs through the middle of it and is named for a large cave (with bats) on the property.

Edit: I believe he said it was 600 acres

[onemansadventure]

I spoke to the groundskeeper for what I think is the same property last week about an unrelated topic, on Rt 15: https://goo.gl/maps/jLrrUSmi74DPhRxq8. He said the property (https://www.google.com/maps/@37.8066789,-83.704076,14.99z/data=!5m1!1e4?hl=en) runs W-E from 15 all the way to Tunnel Ridge road, and N-S from the ridge top (on your right while driving up Nada Tunnel Rd towards the tunnel) to ... he didn't say where the southern property line was. Mentioned millions $ of timber on the property including a virgin stand. Cave Branch creek runs through the middle of it and is named for a large cave (with bats) on the property.

South of 15.  That not the property.

[duxsrus]

Is this regarding the same thing???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qCC-o8XT2k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-brMbKyGJo&t=22s

[RCKT_RCCN]

http://www.redriverky.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/E.-Ky.-Destinaton-Resort-Concept-Paper-10-30-18-FINAL.pdf

For your perusal.

Based largely on the HVS study, the envisioned resort would include features such as the following:
• A 150- to 175-room lodge that would accommodate families and meetings year-round
• 12,000 square feet of meeting and event space
• Private cabins and cottages
• An indoor recreational feature (perhaps a water or rock-climbing feature) that would tie the
facility to the natural appeal of the region and serve as a year-round attraction for visitors
• Swimming pool
• Full service restaurant
• Indoor and outdoor wedding venues
• A Kentucky-themed feature such as a brew-pub or a bourbon distillery
• A transportation connection (perhaps by trolleys or over-ground gondolas) to Natural Bridge
State Resort Park and its signature feature, Natural Bridge
• Connection to area hiking trails
• An adjacent themed village designed as a gateway to Eastern Kentucky
• Possible other Kentucky-themed features such as a retail outlet and gallery of Kentucky artists,
a Bluegrass music component, an equestrian feature (e.g. riding trails), etc.
Other features envisioned by the task force include:
• A large water feature that would accommodate small boats and recreation.
• Possible gaming options in partnership with other Kentucky gaming interests.
• A residential community with privately owned homes and time-share condominiums
• An interpretive visitor center that explains the local geology, ecology and geography and
provides an educational introduction to other attractions in eastern Kentucky through multimedia
presentations, interactive displays, etc.

[RCKT_RCCN]

I think this link will be important for everyone to review, it has a lot of interactive opportunity for input:

https://rrgresort.mysocialpinpoint.com/engage

[wsp_scott]

Might find this interesting

https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/linda-blackford/article244682792.html