Staff report
The Center for Great Neighborhoods is holding a public open house to encourage discussion about a new proposal for the use of land on the property in front of John G. Carlisle Elementary School in Covington.
The Center is partnering with the City of Covington, the Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority, and the Covington Independent Public Schools to turn the space into two parcels that would serve multiple uses.
One would provide a permanent home for the Covington Farmers Market and the other would possibly provide for commercial development and housing.
The concept is in the very preliminary stages, said CGN’s executive director Shannon Ratterman, who is encouraging the public to join in the conversation.
It will take place on Wednesday from 4-6 p.m. at John G Carlisle Elementary School.
The Center has been looking for a permanent home for the Farmers Market which currently has a home along Washington Street in Covington, between W. Sixth and W. Pike streets, next to Mother of God Church.
It is a Kentucky Proud member, meaning all farmers and products are raised, grown, and produced within 50 miles of the market.
It is open every Saturday from May-October, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., rain or shine.
The Center wants a large open space that can house the current 25+ weekly vendors plus adequate room to grow, space for the farm trucks to access the building, a central location near the urban core of the city to allow easy access to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
The preliminary concept plan includes expanding parking and constructing a pavilion for the permanent market. It includes a city-built sidewalk between Holman and Banklick.
Affordable rental units for teachers, school staff
The school district wants to preserve the area around the school and has set height restrictions on buildings and restrictions for parking and open spaces.
The housing, said Covington Economic Development Director Tom West, would be “specifically targeted toward teachers in the area, so affordable to them.”
The city proposes selling each of the two spaces to the parking authority and the Center for Great Neighborhoods, respectively.
The Center for Great Neighborhoods is a nonprofit dedicated to community leadership and enrichment. Contributions to support the market may be made here.
