On a sunny Saturday, polished fenders and WKU hoodies crowd the parking lot outside the National Corvette Museum. That same car-culture energy is what city leaders say they want to capture with a proposed Hot Rods Hall of Fame—an initiative they plan to place before voters on the 2026 ballot, according to a briefing shared with the Bowling Green City Commission. The proposal is still in draft form, but officials frame it as a way to honor makers and drivers while strengthening a core part of the local economy.
City staff said the project is early-stage and details—including where the Hall would live and how it would be funded—are still being scoped. The timing matters: getting a measure on the 2026 general election ballot would give the city, business partners, and residents more than a year to shape what the Hall celebrates and how it fits alongside existing attractions.
A Nod to Bowling Green’s Automotive Legacy
Bowling Green’s car credentials aren’t just nostalgia. The city is home to General Motors’ Corvette Assembly Plant and the National Corvette Museum, which draw enthusiasts from across the country, according to the museum’s visitor information corvettemuseum.org. Local businesses—from restoration shops to weekend car meets—add daily texture to that identity.
City leaders argue a Hall of Fame could formalize that story for future generations, serve as a civic point of pride, and give visitors another reason to extend their stay. The concept would complement, not replace, existing institutions, and could feature inductees with ties to Southern Kentucky’s builders, drivers, designers, and innovators. The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has long promoted motorsports and advanced manufacturing as economic pillars; a Hall could deepen that brand for both tourists and prospective employers bgchamber.com.
Community Enthusiasm and Local Voices
Early reaction from local stakeholders has centered on opportunity. Chamber leaders have previously backed projects that lift downtown and reinforce the city’s identity as a manufacturing and visitor hub; they say tourism assets help small businesses on and around Fountain Square Park and downtown thrive. The National Corvette Museum, meanwhile, has pointed to strong interest in hands-on exhibits and storytelling that connect regional history to national car culture.
City officials say they will invite public input through the commission’s regular meeting process and targeted listening sessions once a draft ordinance is prepared. Residents can track agendas and submit comments via the City of Bowling Green’s commission page bgky.org/city-commission. Bowling Green Local has requested interviews with city staff, the Chamber, and museum leadership; comments will be added as they are provided.
Quick ways to weigh in:
Watch for City Commission agenda postings and public-comment periods
Contact your commissioner through City Hall; general information is available at
Share ideas with neighborhood associations and local business groups before formal hearings
Planning and Path Forward
To appear on the 2026 ballot, the City Commission would first need to introduce and pass an ordinance specifying the Hall’s purpose, governance, and funding structure, according to standard city procedure. The measure would then be transmitted to the Warren County Clerk for ballot placement, following deadlines set by the Kentucky State Board of Elections elect.ky.gov. Election Day in 2026 is Nov. 3.
Key questions remain. City staff say costs and location are not finalized; options could include a new downtown space that feeds foot traffic to local businesses or a partnership near existing automotive destinations. Funding could blend public dollars with private sponsorships and philanthropy, a model familiar to Bowling Green through prior civic projects. Officials also note the working title “Hot Rods Hall of Fame” may change after legal review to avoid brand confusion with the Bowling Green Hot Rods baseball club.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Bowling Green’s Cultural Landscape
If voters approve the measure, a Hall of Fame could become a new anchor in the city’s cultural corridor—linking the Corvette Museum, Lost River Cave, SKyPAC, and a revitalized downtown. The project could also provide opportunities for WKU students in design, history, and business to contribute research, exhibits, and programming, strengthening campus–community ties.
For residents, the Hall offers more than a new attraction; it’s a chance to decide what stories Bowling Green elevates for visitors and future generations. Expect a mix of hands-on education, oral histories, and events that draw families and traveling car clubs alike—if the details, and the funding, come together.
What to Watch
A draft ordinance could reach the City Commission for first reading later this year; watch the agenda page for notice and comment windows.
Filing deadlines from the Kentucky State Board of Elections and the Warren County Clerk will set the timeline for ballot language.
City staff plan additional outreach once a proposal is in hand; expect listening sessions to shape the name, site, and scope.
