Since You Asked is a reader-driven series that answers questions about our community. Have something you've always wondered about? Submit your question here.

GLASGOW, Ky. — About 150 acres of city-owned land is now on the market. But why is the City of Glasgow selling it?

Since you asked, we looked into it.

The 161.8-acre tract, commonly known as the Johnson property, was purchased by the City of Glasgow in 2024 in a deal that sparked criticism from some residents over how the acquisition was handled.

Located off Cleveland Avenue, and bordered by Sorenson Drive and Grandview Avenue, the property is one of the largest undeveloped tracts within the city limits.

The city purchased the property from MCS Properties LLC for approximately $6.15 million using revenue generated by its landfill operations, including agreements with waste companies and the sale of methane gas to East Kentucky Power.

Prior to that, the land was owned by the Leonard and Bernadine Johnson Trust and operated as a family farm for many years.

When city leaders first moved to acquire the property, they remained largely tight-lipped about their plans, prompting questions from residents. Weeks later, officials said the purchase was intended to give the city greater influence over how the area develops in the future.

“If you do not have some kind of control mechanism in place when you purchase property, or property like that becomes available, then you can have development in that area that’s out of control of the city,” said Councilman Joe Trigg at a public forum in October 2024. “Our goal is to try to control the development of property in the city of Glasgow.”

Mayor Henry Royse later said the city's intention was not to retain the property long term, but instead to market portions of it for future development. Potential uses discussed by city officials have included residential, commercial and retail projects.

The city also reserved 15 acres of the property for a proposed regional sports complex. The move allowed Barren County to include the site while awaiting funding for the project.

Oversight of the property is handled by the city's Johnson Property Ad Hoc Committee, which was created following the purchase to help guide decisions related to the tract's future use and development.

While city leaders have long maintained that the Johnson property was purchased with future development in mind, many details remain unsettled, including what will ultimately be built and who might build it.

Find more information about the property here.