By Mark Hansel
NKyTribune managing editor
A hearing to determine the fate of two massage parlors in Florence was postponed Tuesday, but the delay could ultimately have the same effect as shutting the businesses down.
The Florence City Council was expected to consider revoking the occupational license for Rose Health Massage and Opulence Massage, both located within a few blocks of each other on U.S. 42.
City officials have suspected the businesses of being fronts for prostitution and the results of an investigation by Florence Police were expected to confirm that finding.
Florence City Attorney Hugh Skees said, however that both businesses requested a 90-day continuance, in order to consult with legal counsel.
“Our feeling was that as long as we were not prejudiced by the continuance we should grant it, since this was their first request,” Skees said.
The postponement is not expected to result in a happy ending for the business owners.
The owners of both establishments have agreed not to operate their current businesses, nor will they open other massage parlors within the city limits during the time the continuance is in effect.
Skees said the city has a strong case and ultimately achieved its goal of shuttering the businesses, which now appear unlikely to reopen in Florence. He praised the Florence Police Department for its role in the process.
“Our police department did a magnificent job in preparing these cases and, in case it never comes before you, (Florence Police Chief John McDermond) needs to be congratulated,” Skees said.
Florence Mayor Diane Whalen said businesses that are a front for prostitution often encourage other criminal behavior.
“It almost always leads to other illegal activity, including the sale and distribution of drugs,” Whalen said. “We appreciate the efforts that (the police department is) making in taking that first step toward the bigger goal.”
Boone County Judge Executive provides update on transportation project
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Boone County Judge Executive Gary Moore provided an update to city council members on transportation projects that will impact the city.
“More than $100 million worth of road projects are going to be done in Boone County during this biennium state budget,” Moore said. “Many of these projects, while they may not touch the city directly, they do impact the city greatly.”
High-visibility projects include the improvements to turn lanes at US 42 and Weaver Road and the reconstruction of Mount Zion Road from Interstate 75 to US 42.
Work is expected to begin on the Mt. Zion Road reconstruction after the first of the year, with a projected completion date in the summer or fall of 2018.
Another high-visibility project, which has not yet been funded, is the addition of an entrance/exit ramp on Interstate-275 in Hebron.
The increase in commercial development along the KY 237 (North Bend Road) corridor in the area frequently creates traffic gridlock. The problem is compounded during the winter holiday season when distribution facilities along the corridor hire hundreds of seasonal workers to accommodate a significant uptick in business.
An interchange justification study, the first step in the process, is underway and the county hopes to present the project for consideration during the upcoming Legislative session.
The interchange is expected to relieve traffic congestion in the area and open up additional land for commercial development.
The list of state and county projects includes:
*Mount Zion Road reconstruction
*Completion of the middle section of KY 237 from Rogers Road to Valley View
*The Veteran’s Way Road Project in Burlington
* Wendell Ford Boulevard to Aero Parkway
*Improved turn lanes at US 42 and Weaver Road
*The addition of a sidewalk on Litton Lane in Hebron
*The addition of turn lanes from Kentucky 237 to Worldwide Boulevard
*Sidewalk projects on Cayton Road, Frogtown Road and Idlewild Road
*Improvements to the Longbranch Road, Camp Ernst Road intersection
*Improvements to the Triple Crown Boulevard, Frogtown Road intersection
For additional information on county road projects, contact the Boone County Fiscal Court at (859) 334-2282.
Contact Mark Hansel at mark.hansel@nkytrib.com