NEWPORT — A portion of Riverboat Row was to close today at 8 a.m. and won't reopen until June 2003.

        When it does reopen, the space between the Taylor-Southgate and L&N bridges will have been transformed into an elaborate park like Cincinnati's Sawyer Point.

        The park area, when complete, will include grassy green spaces, a pedestrian river walkway, and an overlook, Newport Mayor Thomas Guidugli said.

        The Riverboat Row section is closing for this weekend's Newport Arts & Music Festival and will remain closed until the park is complete. It will also be the site of the Kentucky-side activities for The Great Inland Seafood Festival 2002, scheduled for Aug. 9-11.

        For eastbound Riverboat Row traffic, it will mean slight detours to get to Hooters, The Beer Sellar, Don Pablo's, The Chart House and Comfort Suites.

        Officials recommend taking 5th Street to a left onto Washington Avenue, followed by a right onto Dave Cowens Drive. At Cowens and Park, turn left and proceed under the Port of Entry.

        Westbound travelers headed to Bensons Catering,General James Taylor Park and the Rowing Club should take Cowens Drive to Washington Avenue, turn left on Washington, then right onto Third Street. Turn right at intersection with Columbia Street to Riverboat Row.

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