Terry DeMio

tdemio@enquirer.com

Construction is expected late this summer at several spots of Riverfront Commons, an 11½-mile hiking and cycling trail planned to link tourism spots in six Northern Kentucky river cities.

Funding is approved for trail work in Newport, Ludlow and Covington, said Jack Moreland, president of Southbank Partners, the region's nonprofit riverfront economic development agency.

"We may have as many as five construction projects this summer," Moreland said, noting there could be funding for work in Bellevue, and Newport already has one segment of the project underway. "We are making progress. It's incremental, but it's progress."

Southbank Partners sees Riverfront Commons as an attraction for residents and visitors to the region – and so does the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The bureau on March 14 recognized Southbank Partners as its Star of Tourism award-winner, noting its contributions to many projects along the south shores of the Ohio River.

"They are a fabulous tourism partner for us," said Julie Kirkpatrick, director of convention sales for the bureau. "Part of the reason is the incredible amount of efforts they've been doing to transform our riverfront, and that's going to be a huge destination."

Southbank Partners sees Riverfront Commons as a major attraction to the river cities – not only for residents but also for visitors to the region. The walkway and bicycle path will link Fort Thomas, Dayton, Bellevue, Newport, Covington and Ludlow, according to plans.

The trail will take pedestrians to hotspots such as Newport on the Levee; New Riff Distilling, a bourbon distiller expected to open on the Party Source campus in Bellevue/Newport later in the spring; and Covington Landing. It will also provide sightseeing and ecological improvements on the southern shore of the Ohio River, the plans show.

Southbank Partners wrote grants for $2 million in funding for Riverfront Commons and has received approval of $1 million so far, Moreland said. Funding came from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet through the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments. The city of Newport also has contributed Community Development Block Grant funding toward Riverfront Commons construction at Newport on the Levee.

That construction is underway. Workers are building a ramp and steps that will provide an easy walking or riding path for those crossing the Purple People Bridge and visiting Newport on the Levee. The work also includes a walkway on the top of the floodwall east of the Levee and ending at the I-471 bridge. The next Newport project, to be built later in the summer, will provide a second ramp on Dave Cowens Drive with a corresponding walkway that ends at Riviera Drive, Moreland said.

"People will be able to walk to the distillery" using the path, he said.

About $250,000 in Surface Northern Kentucky grant funds will be used in the late summer or early fall in Ludlow. The funding will create 3,000 feet of a 12-foot-wide trail behind the Ludlow Memorial Park and continuing past the James Rigney Memorial Stadium, Moreland said.

Another $250,000 will go toward construction of a trail base that will begin at Covington Landing and go to Ky. 8 in west Covington, Moreland said.

Throughout the length of Riverfront Commons, shoreline will be stabilized with vegetation and structural features that will restore the natural habitat, reduce runoff and increase water quality, according to Southgate Partners plans.

While officials are uncertain about when it will be completed, Newport City Manager Tom Fromme said it is likely a 10-year project.

"Riverfront Commons has been years in the making and we are ready to take some exciting new steps in the upcoming year that will help make this project a reality and help to create a positive impact in partner cities," Moreland said.

Southbank Partners believes that the development will contribute to increased housing and economic development opportunities in Northern Kentucky's river cities. ⬛