"UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT" FOR COVINGTON'S DESIRED CHANGES ON BRIDGE PROJECT

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by Michael Monks 

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The City of Covington expressed its gratitude Friday for the outpouring of support from surrounding communities, elected officials, and various civic organizations as it hopes to see changes implemented to the preferred design of the Brent Spence Bridge project. That design, noted as "Alternative I", currently inhibits access to Downtown Covington and several other key areas within the city, a proposal so serious that "the death of Covington" was predicted at multiple public forums. However, Covington's rallying cry has been heard and answered. 

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“The citizens and businesses of Covington are most appreciative of the unprecedented level of support from a broad range of political, business, civic and other community leaders from the region for the City’s concerns and requests related to the proposed Alternative I plan for the Brent Spence Bridge project," Covington City Manager Larry Klein said in a news release. "It 

seems nearly unanimous that good access to our City for current and future residents, businesses and visitors is recognized as critical to the success of our City.” 

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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet accepted public input on the matter through last Friday, May 25. The City had hosted multiple public forums to express concerns that the current preferred design of the long-awaited Brent Spence Bridge project does not offer direct access to Covington's Fifth Street exit when traveling northbound on Interstate 75, an important access route Covington's Downtown, riverfront, and Mainstrasse entertainment district. The plan, as it stands now, would require drivers to the Twelfth Street exit and then travel a new, one-way, local road through several traffic lights to reach those areas. 

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Additionally, while access to Fifth Street (and Ninth Street) would be available for southbound drivers on Interstate 75, the decision point to make that exit would be located one mile north of the river near the Cincinnati Museum Center. If a driver were to miss that opportunity, the only chance to come to Covington would require exiting at Kyles Lane in Fort Wright. There would be no opportunity to exit into the City when it becomes visible to drivers. 

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Also of concern was the elimination of access to Devou Park at Lewis Street and the effect the project may have on Goebel Park in Mainstrasse. Joining the Covington City Commission in publicly voicing support for the city's hoped-for changes in this bridge battle were United States Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, United States Congressman Geoff Davis, the Kenton County fiscal court, the City of Newport, the City of Ludlow, Taylor Mill Mayor Dan Bell, the City of Bellevue, the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK), the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission, the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-Ed), Vision 2015, the Covington Business Council, the Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau, Corporex, the Cincinnati Marriott at RiverCenter, the Behringer-Crawford Museum, the Kenton County Public Library, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and the Drees Pavillion in Devou Park.
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SEE EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTERS AND OFFICIAL RESOLUTIONS BELOW

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Sen. Mitch McConnell

"Brent Spence Bridge access is critical to the long-term viability of Covington and Northern Kentucky."
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Sen. Rand Paul

"If their recommendations and suggestions are viable, it would appear that they would greatly enhance the prosperity of Covington and the Northern Kentucky region."

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Rep. Geoff Davis

"The City's leadership and residents have articulated how important access to the Fifth Street corridor from the Brent Spence Bridge is to the City and the region."
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The City of Newport

Whereas, the City of Newport agrees with its sister city in regard to their request for access modifications and other recommendations to the currently proposed Brent Spence Bridge design alternative "I", as set forth in the City of Covington's order/resolution concerning the same...

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The City of Ludlow

The city council approved a resolution that matched the one passed by Covington. 

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Taylor Mill Mayor Dan Bell

The Taylor Mill community is in full support of these suggested modifications and request in the strongest terms that the suggested modification be incorporated into the construction plans. It would be unconscionable for the state to destroy the Fifth Street business area that has flourished for years in that area. In addition, the opening of "The Banks" which lies between the two stadiums across the Ohio River will provide further economic challenges. The Cincinnati development will supply enough competition to the riverfront areas of Covington and Newport. The lack of easy  I-75 access exits to our Kentucky shore will add to the demise of Covington businesses."

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The City of Bellevue

Passed a resolution similar to the one passed by Covington's City Commission. 

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NKADD

Passed a resolution similar to the one passed by Covington's City Commission. 

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NKY Chamber of Commerce

"This Chamber recognizes the impact that design alternative I will have on the City of Covington and our region, and feels like these proposed amendments are vital requests concerning the economic vitality of Northern Kentucky's largest city."

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Kenton County Fiscal Court

Passed a resolution similar to the one passed by Covington's City Commission.  

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Tri-Ed

"It is imperative to have direct, easy and obvious access from I-75 into Covington for these prime generators of high quality jobs so very important to our region."
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Vision 2015

"Having a healthy urban core is an essential element to having a vibrant region. ...Making sure that the City of Covington is a thriving urban center is a key part of the plan and is important to everyone in the region."

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Covington Business Council

Passed a resolution similar to the one passed by Covington's City Commission.

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NKY Convention & Visitors Bureau

"One of the prime drivers of economic benefit to Covington and Northern Kentucky comes through the combined efforts of the Bureau and the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in attracting conventions, company meetings, and other associated events. A great part of our success in this endeavor is due to the direct and easy access provided from I-71/75 and the Brent Spence Bridge. Therefore, we are concerned the proposed design alternative I will impact this strong competitive advantage in bringing group businesses to the Convention Center and Covington's RiverCenter area. 

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Corporex

The development company listed its properties that would be affected: the Hampton Inn Riverfront, the RiverCenter towers, Madison Place, Domaine de la Rive condos, the Ascent, and the Metropolitan Club. "Our recommended changes to alternative I are imperative for the continued success of our projects in North Covington as well as all the surrounding projects."
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TANK

The organization voiced support, and, "Additionally, TANK would like to comment on the importance of preserving some kind of passenger rail right-of-way in the spirit of OKI regional rail plan and OKI's long range plan to allow for future fixed-guideway transit service between (CVG Airport) and the City of Cincinnati. Concerted efforts are already being made to preserve right-of-way for this purpose and now is the best time to accommodate the Ohio River crossing." 

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NKAPC, The RiverCenter Marriott, Behringer-Crawford Museum, the Kenton County Library, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra also shared letters of support.