to assist, keeping only a few officers back in town. In the days that followed, Thompson and local residents helped with debris cleanup.
The Barbourville Fire Department also assisted in Williamsburg during a recent fire, and local officers have provided backup support in neighboring communities when needed.
“ It could be us next time,” Thompson said, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation.
Looking ahead for Barbourville, Thompson said one of the city’ s most pressing challenges is housing. The city is currently working alongside State Representative Tom O’ Dell Smith on a project aimed at bringing several hundred new housing units within city limits. A board has been formed, a potential property has been identified, and funding efforts are underway, though no firm timeline has been set.
The proposed housing would likely be incomebased and available to families using HUD vouchers. Thompson noted that demand currently exceeds supply, particularly with local college housing absorbing a significant portion of available units.“ We don’ t even have the housing to support the vouchers that are out there,” he said, referencing single
mothers and families in need.
Infrastructure improvements also remain a priority, as a long-anticipated sidewalk and road-widening project at Boone Heights is expected to begin soon after years of coordination with the state.
Those public safety efforts carry over to U. S. 25E, as the
city works to secure funding for lighting along the area, where heavy pedestrian traffic has led to multiple vehicle-pedestrian accidents over the years. Thompson said“ 6 to 8” fatalities have occurred along the corridor in past years. A new crossing has already been installed at a high-traffic intersection, and additional lighting would improve visibility.
Another project in progress involves raising Manchester Street to create an additional exit from the city during flooding events. That work is anticipated to begin this summer.
Mayor David Thompson welcomed the public to the new
Barbourville City Hall at its November grand opening. | File Photo by Macee Swafford
In downtown Barbourville, demolition of a collapsed three-story building began February 9. The city secured a $ 1 million grant to remove the structure, which its property owners abandoned. Once cleared, the space is expected to become a small pocket park, with Barbourville Tourism pursuing grant opportunities for further development.
Thompson said revitalizing aging downtown buildings is a long-term goal of his administration.
“ If they’ re not taken care of, they’ ll fall in,” he said.
Barbourville is also seeking funding to replace and expand its tornado warning sirens. Currently, three aging sirens cover much of the city. The proposed expansion would include additional sirens at county fire departments, increasing coverage throughout Knox County.
Street improvements continue as well, though Thompson acknowledged that a $ 100,000 annual blacktop budget only stretches so far across nearly 30 miles of city streets.
At Thompson Park, the city is working to install a sunshade over the splash pad and replace aging exercise equipment along the walking track through a partnership effort. LED lighting is also being installed at local pickleball courts in collaboration with the Barbourville Junior Woman’ s Study Club.
Economically, Thompson said Barbourville faces the same hurdles as many small towns— particularly its location off the interstate.
“ It’ s hard to get companies to come in and stay,” he said.“ And when they do,
The Times-Tribune • Community Guide 2026 Page 23