BY GREGORY A. HALL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
COVINGTON -- A $30 million plaza with shops, restaurants and entertainment venues is being proposed for one of the last undeveloped pieces of Northern Kentucky riverfront with a view of Cincinnati's skyline. The site, being called RIVERWALK, is northwest of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center being built at RiverCenter Boulevard and Madison Avenue. It would extend the Covington riverfront development west to the Waterfront entertainment complex near the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge.
Covington is asking Kenton Fiscal Court to request a $1 million federal grant to acquire property.
Assistant City Manager Tom Steidel, who presented the plan Tuesday night, said that would quickly be followed by the rebuilding of the earthen floodwall and development agreements for the property. The project could create 2,500 jobs, Mr. Steidel said.
But fiscal court, which is also considering applying for a $1 million grant to help pay for a new jail, postponed a decision for a week.
Commissioner Nyoka Johnston said the county can apply for only one grant under the program, meaning applying for jail money could preclude the Covington request. A decision has not been made on making the request for federal grant funding on the jail.
City officials said the proposed riverfront development would draw suburban residents and become a destination for out-of-town visitors.
"It will be a great gathering place for our folks and tourists," Mr. Steidel said, comparing it to the Serpentine Wall.
The plan is aggressive, but doable, he said, adding the city has enough interest from developers to make the project work.
"It's going to take a lot of support to get this project finished," Mr. Steidel said.
Developers of the Newport aquarium looked at the site before selecting Campbell County's riverfront. Covington also worked with Florence developer Jerry Carroll on the site, but that agreement didn't produce any construction.
Plans call for 240,000 square feet of plaza space on two levels offering views of the river with low-rise restaurant and entertainment facilities.
The development would include an office and condominium tower at the western end. Parking would be provided in an 1,800-car garage on the site.
