By Jacob Lange
NKyTribune Intern
Development projects along the banks of the Ohio River were the topic of discussion at Tuesday morning’s Eggs N’ Issues event in Erlanger.
Jack Moreland, President of Southbank Partners, discussed some of the projects, both planned and underway, that are envisioned to make Covington and other Northern Kentucky cities more attractive to visitors and residents.
Southbank Partners is working to revitalize the urban core in Northern Kentucky through economic development, tourism and the fostering of urban living and connectivity. Southbank Partners has agreements with the cities of Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Ft. Thomas, Ludlow, and Newport, as well as Kenton and Campbell counties.
“We have a collection of groups and people who are committed to making the Ohio River the most vibrant area we can have,” Moreland said.
The projects Moreland discussed included Riverfront Commons, a 12-mile hiking and biking trail stretching from Ludlow to Fort Thomas. In addition to the trail, local parks such as Taylor Creek Overlook Park, will be added to the area that overlooks the Ohio River.
Located near Joe’s Crab Shack in Bellevue, Taylor Creek Overlook Park is envisioned as an open space with views of the Ohio River and Mount Adams. The estimated project cost is $3.8 million, which Moreland said demonstrates the confidence developers have in the value of the areas along the south bank of the Ohio River.
Monmouth Row Apartments in Newport is designed to attract young professionals to the city. The complex has over 100 apartments, almost all of which are one bedroom. Moreland said Towne Properties, the complex developer, is anxious to continue expansion into other areas of Newport and along the bank of the Ohio River.
Aqua on the Levee is an $80 million project that will add a hotel and luxury apartment complex to the city of Newport. The project will bring the area’s first hotel under the Aloft brand from Louisville-based Poe Company.
The hotel will be the second of its kind in Kentucky after aLoft opens in Louisville later this year. Aqua on the Levee will also be home to 238 luxury apartments ranging from one- to three-bedroom complexes. The project is moving quickly is expected to be completed in 2016.
Accessibility into the cities of Covington and Newport was also discussed as part of the upgrades taking place throughout Northern Kentucky.
Moreland discussed improvements to KY Route 9 in Newport, which have been talked about since 1964. There are also plans to add roundabouts near the Fourth Street bridge and the 12th Street bridge, which will allow for an easier flow of traffic between the east side of Covington and the west side of Newport
The monthly Eggs n Issues event, sponsored by the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, takes place at the Receptions Conference Center in Erlanger.
Jacob Lange is a journalism senior at the University of Kentucky. He lives in Northern Kentucky.