Hopkinsville Promotes Lot Next Door Program to Address Vacant Lots

Community-driven program empowers residents to transform neglected lots into vibrant extensions of their properties.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 4:30am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration of an overgrown vacant lot repeated in a grid, using a palette of neon greens, blues, and oranges to conceptually represent the city's efforts to address urban blight.The Lot Next Door program aims to transform Hopkinsville's growing number of vacant and neglected properties into vibrant community assets.Hopkinsville Today

The City of Hopkinsville is continuing to promote its Lot Next Door Program, which allows residents to take over vacant, abandoned lots next to their homes. The program is designed to help reduce the city's growing maintenance burden tied to neglected properties, with a $25 assessment fee and $175 application fee for eligible homeowners.

Why it matters

Hopkinsville has roughly 1,000 vacant lots, and the Lot Next Door Program is part of the city's partnership with the Hopkinsville and Christian County Land Bank Authority to address vacant and deteriorated properties. The program aims to empower residents to take control of abandoned lots while also reducing the city's maintenance costs.

The details

The Lot Next Door Program begins with a $25 assessment fee and an initial eligibility review by the city. If the adjoining lot qualifies, the resident must complete a full application with a $175 fee. However, the process may be longer than expected, as the lot may have to move through the court system if it has tax delinquencies or other legal barriers. Since late 2020, 21 of the 48 properties transferred out of the Hopkinsville and Christian County Land Bank have been tied to the Lot Next Door Program.

  • The public forum on the Lot Next Door Program was held last week.
  • Since late 2020, 21 of the 48 properties transferred out of the Hopkinsville and Christian County Land Bank have been tied to the Lot Next Door Program.

The players

Amanda Brunt

City Information Officer for the City of Hopkinsville.

Hopkinsville and Christian County Land Bank Authority

A partnership that has existed since 2007 and has become a central part of Hopkinsville's effort to address vacant and deteriorated properties.

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What they’re saying

“The Lot Next Door Program is designed for homeowners who live beside a vacant lot that has become overgrown, abandoned, or tied up by unpaid taxes and other issues.”

— Amanda Brunt, City Information Officer

“The costs in mowing and maintaining abandoned lots for safety and appearance reasons are significant.”

— Amanda Brunt, City Information Officer

What’s next

The city will continue to promote the Lot Next Door Program and work with the Hopkinsville and Christian County Land Bank Authority to address vacant and deteriorated properties in Hopkinsville.

The takeaway

The Lot Next Door Program is a community-driven initiative that empowers Hopkinsville residents to transform neglected lots into vibrant extensions of their own properties, while also helping the city reduce the significant costs associated with maintaining abandoned properties.