LEBANON — The city is getting ready to convert a mostly empty downtown block into Bicentennial Park.

        But first, it has to pick from two plans including one that is greeted with some controversy.

        The planning commission will hear residents' comments tonight on two proposals by Brandstetter Carroll, the consulting firm that developed a master plan for downtown Lebanon.

        Both plans include about 80 parking spaces, a gazebo, a band shell and public bathrooms in the block bound by Mulberry, Cherry, Main and Mechanic streets.

        The difference: One would keep an 1855 Queen Anne-style house for office or resi dential use, while the other would require razing or moving the city-owned building.

        “This is a classic conflict of good objectives,” said Planning Director Marty Kohler.

        The nonprofit Lebanon Conservancy Foundation wants the house restored because of its historic value, but that won't leave enough open space around the band shell, Mr. Kohler said.

        “You really can't do one well without sacrificing the other,” he said.

        The best option may be to move the building, Mr. Kohler said, but Jerry Miller, treasurer of the conservancy, disagreed. A move would be costly and also would disqualify it for a listing on the National Register of Historic Places, Mr. Miller said.

        The conservancy, which offered its own plan for the site last year, will have representatives at the planning meeting tonight.

        The Lebanon Theatre Company also will be there to weigh in with its desire for some community theater space.

        “We don't have a place in Lebanon for any kind of performance, any kind of speech,” said Mike McMurray, a theater board member.

Alliance restricting OxyContin
Bar's neighbors provided drug tips
Gulf War moms share pain, pride
Arlington ceremony to honor war dead
Shirey vows to stay
Tight state budget puts squeeze on counties
Electric Choice effort gets results
More answers to your energy questions
PULFER: Bus drivers go extra distance
'Slave' leads tours on Underground Railroad
Civil rights leader, others honored
Ky. youth most likely to smoke
Farmers' dependence on tobacco tough habit to break
19% of babies subjected to smoke
Candidate sues over rumor
Civic club suffers from city's battles
Covington school board reviews list for a leader
Democrat to run against McConnell
Sparta admonished by auditor
Airport moves to stem pollution
Kentucky Digest
Local Digest
Russian museum administrators listen, learn
Two men face dog fighting charges
City looks into laptop
Director sought for black chamber
Historic house is cornerstone of conflict over new park plans
New Main St. zoning OK'd
Ohio wants households to document travel