From the 1/24/05 NKY Challenger:

 

 

COMMON GROUND: Times Star Commons, proposed for Covington, would be a unique mix of a park, farmers market, performance pavilion and retail and residential space.  Courtesy KZF Design

 

Green Vision

Farmers, Developers Propose New Commons

By Jason Feldmann

The Sunday Challenger

[email protected]

 

COVINGTON - Green beans and green space. Eggs and economic development.

 

The sale of homegrown fruits and vegetables could help revitalize downtown Covington, say supporters of a proposed plan to construct a regional farmers' market between Fourth and Fifth streets and Madison Avenue and Scott Boulevard.

 

http://www.challengernky.com/articles/2005/01/24/around_nky/doc41f15348c5c47946058755.txt

 

 

 

This would be cool....but I wouldnt hold my breath.

this has been in the works for years, although the layout of the market has changed quite a bit.

 

sounds like it has great potential, unlike the "wedding district" the city wants.

i can think of few things that would guarantee an empty street better than store after store of wedding gowns and bouquets.

Cincinnati already has wedding central up in Reading - folks come from hundreds of miles around to shop there, from what I'm told...

More from today (1/25/05):

 

 

BLOCKED OFF: The proposed Times Star Commons would be bordered by Fourth Street, Scott Boulevard, Fifth Street and Madison Avenue.   Coutesy KZF Design 

 

Times Star Commons: Neighborhood Reaction

By Jason Feldmann

The Sunday Challenger

[email protected]

 

COVINGTON - Standing inside his family-owned flooring store at 428 Madison Ave., Larry Franks laughs at the prospect of a potential development that could eliminate his business.

 

"I don't believe it. To buy all these buildings and tear them down? No, I don't believe it," he said with carpet samples held firmly in hand.

 

http://www.challengernky.com/articles/2005/01/25/around_nky/doc41f1266019a37437688371.txt

 

From the 6/7/05 Enquirer:

 

 

Butler pushes Times Star plan

By Patrick Crowley

Enquirer staff writer

 

COVINGTON - Developer Bill Butler will pitch his plan for a $32 million downtown development that would include a farmers market to Northern Kentucky's state lawmakers Wednesday.

 

Butler, the CEO of Corporex, a Covington-based developer, will make a presentation for his Times Star Commons project to the Northern Kentucky Legislative Caucus.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050607/NEWS0103/506070351/1059/NEWS01

 

The Northern Kentucky Consensus Committee has identified Times Star Commons as a high-priority project, as is seeking $17.5 million from the Kentucky General Assembly in 2006.

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/09/12/daily25.html?jst=b_ln_hl

From the 10/31/05 Enquirer:

 

 

PHOTO: Tim Bessler (left) co-owner of Bessler's Economy Market, 420 Madison Ave., Covington, hands a container of soup to Sharon Spicer of Covington, who stopped in the market for lunch. At right is Glenna Huffman of Latonia, who was also picking up lunch. Bessler favors the Times Star Commons project.  The Enquirer/Patrick Reddy

 

PHOTO: Artist's rendering, map

 

More than a farmers market

By Mike Rutledge

Enquirer staff writer

 

COVINGTON - The proposed Times Star Commons would be a lot more than just a year-round site for the Northern Kentucky Regional Farmers Market, the project's point man says.

 

Instead, it would be a gathering space for Northern Kentucky if it works properly - a place where all kinds of people hang out, stroll, listen to music and buy from local merchants - said Patrick Baxter, who started in March as Corporex Cos.' director of community development.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051031/NEWS0103/510310331/1059/rss13

 

From the 11/29/05 Kentucky Post:

 

 

Indoor/outdoor market is part of a grander plan

By Stephenie Steitzer

Post staff reporter

 

As part of the city of Covington's continuing efforts to revitalize its downtown, momentum is building for a proposed $32.5 million public market.

 

A study analyzing the potential economic impact of the proposed Times-Star Commons project is expected to be finished Dec. 15.

 

http://news.kypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051129/NEWS02/511290368/1014

 

From the 12/25/05 NKY Sunday Challenger:

 

 

Study Touts 'Times Star Commons' Impact

State Funding Sought for Covington Project

By Jason Feldmann

The Sunday Challenger

[email protected]

 

COVINGTON - There are plenty of numbers within the economic impact study released last week for the proposed Times Star Commons project in downtown Covington.

 

Estimates on the total number of visitors (2.25 million), annual job creation (469), gross retail sales ($464.5 million over 10 years), and tax revenues for local and state governments ($12.13 million over 10 years) are some of the more eye-popping figures detailed in the 23-page report.

 

http://www.challengernky.com/articles/2005/12/25/around_nky/doc43ab0f8b42c56260716106.txt

 

This is an interesting proposition that would aid in creating positive momentum on both sides of the river.  The specialty grocery store idea is interesting but I'm bearish on that.

From the 7/29/06 Kentucky Post:

 

 

Study calls for open-air public market

It might benefit Star Commons

Luke E. Saladin

Post staff reporter

 

A firm renowned for its development of public spaces across the country says Covington should build an open-air public market to anchor its planned Times-Star Commons project, according to a study released this week.

 

The study, performed by New York City-based Project for Public Spaces, says such a market would encounter far less red tape than a full-scale permanent indoor or covered structure, although that could be considered down the road if an open-air market is successful.

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060729/NEWS02/607290323/1011/RSS02

 

Square project seeking ideas

Post staff report

 

Consultant Steve Davies encouraged some 70 people who toured the site of a planned public square in downtown Covington Wednesday to "think big" as they pondered ideas for the spot.

 

Some did, while others zeroed in on detail for the proposed Times-Star Commons in the block bounded by Fourth and Fifth streets, Madison Avenue and Scott Boulevard.

 

http://news.kypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061130/NEWS02/611300362/1014/NEWS02

Times Star Commons to be studied

By Mike Rutledge, Cincinnati Enquirer, April 28, 2009

 

COVINGTON - City commissioners agreed Tuesday to hire CDS Associates for $28,600 for a traffic analysis and traffic impact to press forward with the proposed Times Star Commons development.

 

City leaders for years have pushed for that project, which they hope will become a combination of a public plaza, green space, farmers market and meeting space for the city's downtown area.

^Did they really need to say "Columbus, Ohio".  This is a Cincinnati Paper, an hour and a half away from C-bus, and we still have to put the state behind the city?

^ I couldn't agree more. Same with the signs on 471S that say "Columbus, OH" while the 471N signs say "Cincinnati".

Nothing new. Signs in Huntington, W.Va. along US 52 northbound at the Ohio River crossing and along Interstate 64 read "Chesapeake, O.", but signage in downtown Huntington along West Virginia Route 527 read "Chesapeake."

Yeah, but Chesapeake and Columbus are hardly comparable.  If not told Chesapeake was in Ohio, I would think it was W.Va, Maryland, or even Kentucky before Ohio.  Columbus is a big enough city to warrant an ,OH after it.

Northern Kentucky Farmers Market brings fresh produce and fun atmosphere to MainStrasse

http://www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0818nkyfarmersmarket.aspx

 

The Northern Kentucky Regional Farmers Market is another one of those great spots around town to grab fresh produce and some good conversation.  Located on the median at Sixth and Main streets in Covington, the market is open on Saturdays from 8am to 2pm through October.

 

The market is situated perfectly within Covington's MainStrasse Village and offers a wide variety of fresh produce including lettuce, spinach, zucchini, yellow squash, red beets, tomatoes, green peppers, green beans, potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, cucumbers, onions, herbs, corn, melons, blackberries and other greens.

 

Vendors reportedly do great business with approximately 100 visitors each week.  "They sell most of their products and have had to increase the amount of inventory they bring to market each week," says Rebecca Volpe who helps oversee the market for the City of Covington.

 

Vendors sell their products on the shady Sixth Street promenade in a tailgate-style market.  Farmers and other producers from 11 Northern Kentucky counties, including Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Mason, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson, are all invited to sell their goods at the market.

 

The Northern Kentucky Regional Farmers Market also offers a variety of value added products including salsas, herb vinegars, mustards, meat rubs and marinades, jams and jellies, and even gelato.  Spices, honey, soaps, lotions and other hand crafted items are also available in addition to a variety of plants, shrubs and grasses for sale.

 

Volpe notes that the City of Covington is currently working on a permanent location for the farmers market.  The new location would be called Times Star Commons and would best be described as "Fountain Square meets Findlay Market."

 

The Northern Kentucky Regional Farmers Market also has live music during special events, and a number of shops in MainStrasse Village display original artwork as part of Covington's Arts District network.

 

On Saturday, October 31 the farmers market will host a Harvest Festival from 8am to 2pm and will offer lots of family friendly activities with live music.  Free parking is available nearby.  For more information contact Leah Dodson with the City of Covington at (859) 292-2163.