What does it take to go from working at the Pentagon to shaping Lexington’s main street? Developer Katie Kaufman is doing exactly that with her newest project: 325 W Main, a landmark development redefining downtown Lexington’s future.

In this episode of DevelopLex, Weston and Ross sit down with Katie to explore her unconventional path from national security and global development finance to leading one of the city’s most ambitious real estate projects. Katie shares how her time in Washington, D.C. and at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation taught her to think globally, and how she’s now applying that experience locally to build spaces that are inclusive, beautiful, and community-driven.

At 325 W Main, her team is creating a new standard for downtown Lexington development - one that blends high-quality design, hospitality, and everyday usability while staying rooted in the city’s character.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

- How Katie’s Pentagon background shaped her leadership and perspective on real estate

- What inspired her transition from national security to development

- The design philosophy behind 325 W Main and its role in Lexington’s evolution

- Why inclusion and empathy are key to building better cities

- How Lexington can compete for new investment and talent through design and collaboration

Hosted by ⁠⁠Weston Lockhart⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Ross Boggess⁠⁠

DevelopLex is proud to be supported by:⁠⁠

⁠⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Community Trust Bank⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Craftsman Contractors⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, Weston and Ross sit down with Garyen Denning, partner at Red Draw Development, to explore how his team has built a reputation for identifying what Lexington’s market is missing—and creating it.

From introducing Raising Cane’s to Kentucky to developing The Landrum, a new senior living community designed to meet the needs of a rapidly aging population, Red Draw has consistently leaned into new concepts before the rest of the market catches on. Their portfolio includes everything from public-private partnerships and boutique hospitality projects to The Haven, a collection of luxury auto garages on Delaware Avenue unlike anything else in the city.

Garyen shares how Red Draw’s development philosophy blends operator-level insight with community-focused execution, the lessons he learned scaling a franchise before shifting to real estate, and why being early often means being right.

Expect to learn:

• How Red Draw identifies gaps in Lexington’s market and builds to fill them
• The story behind the Horse Soldier Distillery, opening July 4, 2026
• Why The Landrum addresses a critical shortage in senior living housing
• The role of public-private partnerships in delivering civic impact
• How Lexington’s embrace of infill and density is shaping its next phase of growth
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Hosted by ⁠Weston Lockhart⁠ and ⁠Ross Boggess⁠

DevelopLex is proud to be supported by:⁠⁠

⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠⁠⁠⁠

Community Trust Bank⁠⁠⁠⁠

Craftsman Contractors

⁠⁠⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, Ross and Weston sit down with Vice Mayor Dan Wu and Councilwoman Liz Sheehan at Lexington Council Chambers to unpack the Lexington Preservation & Growth Management Program (LPGMP) - a landmark policy initiative shaping how our city grows, preserves, and evolves over the next 20 years.

Together, they explore the critical balance between infill redevelopment and urban expansion, the role of community voice in planning, and why housing is at the center of nearly every challenge Lexington faces. From regulatory red tape to reimagining transportation through Complete Streets, this conversation pulls back the curtain on how public input is influencing the city’s growth, and how you can be part of the process.

Whether you're a developer, a neighbor, or just passionate about Lexington's future, this one’s for you.

Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross Boggess

DevelopLex is proud to be supported by:
⁠⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate
⁠⁠Community Trust Bank
⁠⁠Craftsman Contractors
⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, Weston and Ross sit down with legendary garden designer Jon Carloftis at his restored downtown Lexington home - known locally as “The Botherum”. From humble roots in Eastern Kentucky to designing rooftop gardens in New York City, Jon shares his journey of passion, intuition, and preservation and the importance of beauty in the built environment.Now back in Kentucky, John is helping redefine how we experience place, from Castle & Key and Maker’s Mark to The Summit at Fritz Farm. His approach to landscape design goes beyond aesthetics - it’s about enhancing how people feel, move, and connect within a space.Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross BoggessDevelopLex is proud to be supported by:⁠⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠⁠⁠⁠Community Trust Bank⁠⁠⁠⁠Craftsman Contractors ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, Weston and Ross sit down with the father-son duo behind Compass Capital - Tom and Kyle Jameson - for a deep dive into Lexington-based retail real estate. From buying Lexington Green out of receivership at a 12-cap to running a successful campaign to legalize alcohol sales in Jessamine County (yes, really), the Jamesons share decades of hands-on lessons in ownership, operations, and opportunity.If you’ve ever wondered how local developers position themselves to win during market downturns, build sticky tenant lineups, or transform struggling retail centers into thriving community hubs, this one’s for you.Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross BoggessDevelopLex is proud to be supported by:⁠⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠⁠⁠⁠Community Trust Bank⁠⁠⁠⁠Craftsman Contractors ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, we go creekside with hosts Ross Boggess and Weston Lockhart at Town Branch Creek, the literal birthplace of Lexington, to talk about where the city began and where it’s going.

What starts as a reflection on Lexington’s founding waterway flows into a wide-ranging conversation about real estate, infrastructure, population shifts, public-private partnerships, and the vision required to advance a city. From the evolution of the Distillery District to new developments around UK’s campus, Ross and Weston explore how Lexington is stitching together neighborhoods, activating forgotten spaces, and attracting long-term investment.

This episode also dives into key insights around urban growth patterns, tax base challenges, crane counts as economic indicators, and how Lexington stacks up against cities like Charleston and Atlanta. The message? If we want a better Lexington, we can’t just grow — we have to advance, intentionally.

Recorded in the water (literally), this is one of our most rooted and reflective episodes yet.

Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross Boggess

DevelopLex is proud to be supported by:

⁠⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠⁠

⁠⁠Community Trust Bank⁠⁠

⁠⁠Craftsman Contractors ⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, we sit down with Stephen Dawahare, longtime Lexington entrepreneur and real estate developer, to talk about the bold vision behind Lexington SC and how it’s become one of the most impactful developments in Central Kentucky.

What started as a soccer project has grown into a $100M+ privately funded ecosystem on Lexington’s east side, complete with pro-level facilities, youth programming, and strategic commercial development. But this isn’t just about sports. It’s about long-term city planning, infrastructure, and access - especially for kids and communities historically left out of elite athletics.

Stephen walks us through how the project came to life, what it took to move literal mountains (and rock), and why Lexington SC is built to be both economically sustainable and deeply meaningful.

Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross Boggess

DevelopLex is proud to be supported by:

⁠⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠⁠

⁠⁠Community Trust Bank⁠⁠

⁠⁠Craftsman Contractors ⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, we sit down with Stephen Dawahare, longtime Lexington entrepreneur and real estate developer, to talk about the bold vision behind Lexington SC and how it’s become one of the most impactful developments in Central Kentucky.

What started as a soccer project has grown into a $100M+ privately funded ecosystem on Lexington’s east side, complete with pro-level facilities, youth programming, and strategic commercial development. But this isn’t just about sports. It’s about long-term city planning, infrastructure, and access - especially for kids and communities historically left out of elite athletics.

Stephen walks us through how the project came to life, what it took to move literal mountains (and rock), and why Lexington SC is built to be both economically sustainable and deeply meaningful.

Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross Boggess

DevelopLex is proud to be supported by:

⁠⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠⁠

⁠⁠Community Trust Bank⁠⁠

⁠⁠Craftsman Contractors ⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bowman

In this episode of DevelopLex, we sit down with Stephen Dawahare, longtime Lexington entrepreneur and real estate developer, to talk about the bold vision behind Lexington SC and how it’s become one of the most impactful developments in Central Kentucky.

What started as a soccer project has grown into a $100M+ privately funded ecosystem on Lexington’s east side, complete with pro-level facilities, youth programming, and strategic commercial development. But this isn’t just about sports. It’s about long-term city planning, infrastructure, and access - especially for kids and communities historically left out of elite athletics.

Stephen walks us through how the project came to life, what it took to move literal mountains (and rock), and why Lexington SC is built to be both economically sustainable and deeply meaningful.

Hosted by Weston Lockhart and Ross Boggess

DevelopLex is proud to be supported by:

⁠SVN Stone Commercial Real Estate⁠

⁠Community Trust Bank⁠

⁠Craftsman Contractors ⁠

⁠Bowman

In this episode, we partnered with Downtown Lexington Partnership to host another Downtown Deep Dive, presented by Dean Builds. This time, with the visionaries behind Gatton Park on the Town Branch - Lexington’s most ambitious public space project to date. Recorded overlooking the park’s soon-to-be-unveiled amphitheater, this conversation dives into the decade-long journey from asphalt lot to iconic green space.

Guests:

• David Dean, President of Dean Builds

• Ben Schaffer, Senior Director of Advancement & Special Events, Gatton Park

• Donald Miller, Park Director, Gatton Park