It’s something that should have been developed years ago — with or without the CentrePointe controversy.

Lexington has never been the most culturally diverse city or a place that has attracted nationally known recording artists, but with the addition of the Lexington Distillery District, things may slowly start to evolve.

The developer of the District is hopeful the project will be completed before the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, according to a Wednesday Kernel article.

“When Lexington is on the stage in 2010, we want to put on our good face,” developer Barry McNees said. “People will be coming to the Horse Park, but we want to make sure when they come back downtown that there are interesting and authentic things to do.”

That we do. We don’t want our guests, including international visitors, to be bored in a city that’s full of potential. We want to engage our guests and keep them guessing, not succumb to the inevitable stereotypes that come along with our state.

But this project goes beyond the Equestrian Games, unlike CentrePointe. With the addition of this Distillery District, which will be located on Manchester Street, Lexingtonians and visitors alike will be able to enjoy things like Buster’s pool hall (formerly located in the downtown block that is now a giant hole), restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs and the world’s first bourbon boutique hotel, according to the Kernel article.

This area, which is currently empty warehouses, a tow yard, parking lots and an abandoned residence, will be useful again and, undoubtedly, add culture and entertainment to a lacking city.

“It’s not a project just about luxury, but has free aspects,” McNees said. “We’re trying to bring together the dynamic of Lexington into one spot.”

And that is something that can help the citizens of Lexington stop focusing on what’s been lost and, instead, realize the potential of what can fill the void.