November 1, 200519 yr From the 10/30/05 NKY Sunday Challenger: PHOTO: Y'ALL'S FAIR: Florence Mall, NKY's original suburban shopping destination, faces new competition with a major facelift and other plans. File photo Florence Ramps Up Retail Mall Facelift, New Lifestyle Centers Coming By Dennis O'Connor For the Sunday Challenger [email protected] FLORENCE - Retail has long been the life-blood of this Boone County city, and recent developments along its major artery - Mall Road - show that Florence's most important industry is moving in the right direction. An announcement Oct. 14 that Florence Mall was upgrading its food court coincides with conversations city officials are having with other Mall Road developers - with buildings and sites across from the mall - as they upgrade the quality and mix of retail along the region's most important marketplace. http://www.challengernky.com/articles/2005/10/30/business/doc43623e6949c9d283601062.txt
November 6, 200519 yr From the 11/4/05 Kentucky Post: Arts District apartment project set to begin Post staff report The renovation of the former Wiseway Electric building, in the heart of the Covington Arts District, is scheduled to begin before the end of this month. The city of Covington is lending $275,000 from one of the city's revolving loan funds to Pike Street Lofts LLC to renovate the building at 120-130 Pike St. The 20,000-square-foot historic building will have four commercial units on the first floor and 10 market-rate apartments on the second and third floors. ... http://news.kypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051104/NEWS02/511040371/1014
November 6, 200519 yr Here's another updated picture. I can't tell if it's just one building or that's the whole developement.
November 6, 200519 yr i used to live in the red house directly to the left of it. guess you could say the view isn't as nice as it used to be.
November 10, 200519 yr Why don't they just scrap it? It was ill-conceived and there didn't seem to be much sense as to where the banners were hung. From the 11/8/05 Enquirer: LOGO City's logo design - it's (not) happening By Mike Rutledge Enquirer staff writer The design for Covington's new "it's happening" signs are so last month, officials have decided. The font is very Halloween. So are the white letters against a field of black. Too much like what you'd expect from a creepy movie poster. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051108/NEWS0103/511080343/1059/rss13
November 13, 200519 yr From the 11/11/05 Enquirer: Changes coming to mall food court By Brenna R. Kelly Enquirer staff writer Florence Mall is renovating its food court, but that might not be the end of changes coming to the 30-year-old shopping center. General manager Greg Comte told Florence City Council this week that the mall's owner is considering more renovations. "We are looking at the possibility of maybe adding a theater onto the property," Comte said. "We are also looking at ways to maybe add some kind of a streetscape onto the property as well." http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051111/NEWS0103/511110410/1059/NEWS01
November 17, 200519 yr Up close is aim of marina Planned at pier over Ohio River in Covington BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER Northern Kentucky officials have been floating the idea of a Covington marina past federal lawmakers, with hopes of winning funding for an eye-catching development that would bring people into closer contact with the Ohio River. "Right now, when you're standing (on the shore), the river always seems to be away from you," said Patrick Baxter, Corporex Cos.' director of community development. "The idea of this concept is to bring people down onto the river, and make it a real personal experience." Read full article here: http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20051117/BIZ01/511170333
November 17, 200519 yr Author I know that it is just a model, but the supports, docks, piers and building all look pretty rigid. That place is going to have to be able to change with the flood level of the river. I remember walking into Covington Landing plenty of times and having to walk up the ramp from the existing circle driveway, and even then the water wasn't high enough to close the facility, which happened quite often.
November 18, 200519 yr i think you're reading way too much into a concept model...but i think they actually have it covered. it looks like all the docks are independant of the land via the long bridge and that each of the docks might be stayed during high water by the vertical posts...but like i said this only in concept
November 20, 200519 yr Landing could be unloaded By Cindy Schroeder Enquirer staff writer City officials have apparently found a buyer to take the vacant, leaking Covington Landing off taxpayers' hands. On Thursday, a group of Midwest investors involved in the restaurant, bar and waterfront development business submitted a bid of $33,500 for the entertainment complex, said Covington Fire Chief Charles "Buddy" Wheatley. About a month ago, Wheatley was put in charge of resolving the Covington Landing problem. The bid was submitted via www.govdeals.com, a Nashville, Tenn., company that sells governments' surplus equipment. The company charges no fee for its Internet auction service, but takes 7.5 percent of anything sold, Mayor Butch Callery said. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051119/NEWS0103/511190429/1059/
November 22, 200519 yr $33K for the entire complex when they were asking $2 million? That is laughable.
December 1, 200519 yr From the 12/1/05 Cincinnati Business Courier: Ace Hardware to anchor Florence Promenade Ace Hardware will be the anchor retailer at Florence Promenade in Florence, Ky., developer Paul Hemmer Cos. said in a news release Thursday. Construction on the store has begun in the $10 million center off U.S. 42. Hemmer, headquartered in Cincinnati, has not yet announced other tenants. http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/11/28/daily33.html
December 2, 200519 yr WELL HOLY HELL! Ace HARDWARE!!!! "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 4, 200519 yr From the 12/1/05 Community Recorder: Bellevue developments selling at the river BY KATIE WEITKAMP | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER BELLEVUE -- The Bellevue skyline is starting to change. With work on two riverfront developments continuing, developers are finding the Bellevue riverfront is going to be a popular place to live. Chip Hunter, a Realtor with HHB & Partners, Inc. said the WatersEdge at Bellevue development has more than half of its 24 condominiums sold. "It's about 50-50 between Kentucky and Ohio," Hunter said of the soon-to-be Bellevue residents. "They're mostly empty-nesters." WatersEdge at Bellevue offers 3,200 square foot condos with 650 foot covered terraces. The plan originally called for the two buildings to be built at different times, but he said the condos have sold so quickly that the two will be built at the same time. "They decided to go ahead and start on the other," he said. He said the project is ahead of schedule. http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051201/NEWS01/512010408/1077/Local
December 7, 200519 yr To update this, the thing sold on Friday for $48,500 ($33,500 for the Landing and $15,000 for the ramps) to Midwest Steel Ventures. It will be gone within two months. This is probably about as much as the city spent since the thing started leaking in July. Story: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051203/NEWS0103/512030431/1059/rss13
December 20, 200519 yr Boone County gets high tech Campus that teaches job skills makes debut By William Croyle Enquirer staff writer A local college dedicated a new building here Monday, just minutes after asking state legislators for $36 million to build another one. About 200 people attended Gateway Community & Technical College's grand opening of its $10 million, 50-acre Boone campus. The lone building is two stories, 30,000 square feet, and will open for classes Jan. 9. It will serve students looking to enter fields in manufacturing and technology. "It's the first step of many to keep Kentucky moving forward," said state Sen. Katie Stine, a speaker at the event. "We need a work force that works more efficiently and at a higher level technologically so we can compete globally." Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/NEWS0102/512130332/1059/
January 2, 200619 yr From the 12/30/05 NKY Sunday Challenger: PHOTO: RENOVATION STATION: The renovation of Odd Fellows Hall was just one project undertaken by Renaissance Covington, the city department dedicated to revitalizing the city's downtown commercial district. File photo Renaissance Continues in Downtown Covington COVINGTON - Renaissance Covington, the city department dedicated to revitalizing the city's downtown commercial district, is awaiting word on two grants that will help renovate the former Goodwill building on Seventh Street and another to continue streetscape work and help with a façade-improvement program. Renaissance Covington has had a busy and successful year with a streetscape project on Madison Avenue and renovation of Odd Fellows Hall. ... http://www.challengernky.com/articles/2005/12/30/freetime/doc43a9a918a376d132326356.txt
January 6, 200619 yr From the 1/5/06 Boone Community Recorder: PHOTO: The Hendrickson family of Union went shopping on Mall Road in Florence on the day after New Year's. They are Michelle, Bodey and Tony holding Atalie. NANCY DALY/COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF City Center Boulevard plans still on horizon BY LINDSAY KOTTMANN | COMMUNITY RECORDER STAFF WRITER FLORENCE -- The recommendations from the first phase of a city-sponsored study on Mall Road were released in October 2004 by Marketing Developments Inc. Since then, some changes have been made on Mall Road, but others will be slow in coming as the project waits for funds. Stan Eichelbaum, president of Marketing Developments, said the study identified the Florence Mall Road area as one of the most dominant retail areas in the country. http://news.communitypress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/NEWS01/601050516/1076/Local
January 6, 200619 yr From the 1/5/06 Enquirer: Wedding Mall opens in Covington COVINGTON - The Wedding Mall, a $1 million investment in the matrimony industry by Jim and Donna Salyers, opens in Covington's growing wedding district next month at 630 Madison Ave. With marble floors, opulent chandeliers and a projected 16 retailers, the mall will bring one-stop luxury wedding shopping to this historic business district. So far, eight stores in the mall are leased. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060105/BIZ01/301050006/1076
January 15, 200619 yr From the 1/15/06 Enqirer: PHOTO: Kathie Hickey Covington set to reap fruits of reinvention Cultural tourism takes on new meaning when a community consciously decides to reinvent itself as an arts mecca for visitors and artists alike. Like many other small cities around the country - Paducah, Ky., Rising Sun, Ind., and Providence, R.I., come to mind - that's what Covington has set out to do. The city designated an arts district in its downtown, which has the second largest collection of historic buildings in the state, hired a new economic development and community relations director in the fall and is aggressively seeking artists and money. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060115/ENT07/601150375/-1/rss From the 1/15/06 Enquirer: PHOTO: The Wedding Mall, at 630 Madison Ave., is one of several stores that Covington officials hope will revitalize the area. Vendors renting space in the building include a floral and wedding events company, an invitations store, and a video company. The Enquirer/Patrick Reddy Wedding stores revitalize street Vendors rent buildings along Madison Avenue BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER COVINGTON - One of Madison Avenue's most dreary empty storefronts has been transformed into one of Covington's most stylish buildings. The Wedding Mall at 630 Madison Ave. will open Feb. 3, with space for 16 wedding vendors' shops. Already, eight vendors have rented spaces in the building that will have marble floors, murals on the ceilings and chandeliers. ... http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20060115/NEWS0103/601150430/
January 20, 200619 yr From the 1/20/06 Enquirer: Buildings popping up along Mall Road BY BRENNA R. KELLY | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER FLORENCE - The parking lot of a strip mall here will soon sprout a building. It's one of several projects that indicate Florence's plan to revitalize Mall Road is gaining steam. The 5,000-square-foot building will be in Village at the Mall, in front of Michael's, The Arts and Crafts Store and the vacant Drug Emporium property. It will likely house a sit-down restaurant and a retail store, though the tenants have not been decided, said Todd Morgan, a planner with the Boone County Planning Commission. http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20060120/NEWS0103/601200443/
January 23, 200619 yr From the 1/17/06 Enquirer: PHOTO: PHOTO: Jerry Steffen, owner of 115 W. Pike St., in Covington, wants to demolish the building. But the city preservation officer is fighting to rehab the space. The Enquirer/Patrick Reddy Covington halts razing Preservation officer proposes rehabbing Pike Street building By Mike Rutledge Enquirer staff writer Jerry Steffen, owner of Steffen's Tool Crib, wants to demolish the four-story building he owns at 115 W. Pike St. next to his tool-rental business. But the city is arguing that the structure should be saved. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060117/NEWS0103/601170336/1059/rss13
February 9, 200619 yr From the 2/3/06 Enquirer: Home found for benches: Covington 'art park' Millennium mosaics moved to 'art park' BY CINDY SCHROEDER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER COVINGTON - Nearly six years after they were built, Covington's colorful millennium mosaic benches have found a permanent home. On Thursday, a crew from Baxter Precast moved the benches from their temporary location in the Northern Kentucky Convention Center to a small "art park" at Madison Avenue and Seventh Street. ... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060203/NEWS0103/602030417/1059/rss13
February 17, 200619 yr Student fees pay for $37M building Ground broken for NKU center BY RYAN CLARK | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The 10 golden shovels stood upright, ready to move earth on Northern Kentucky University's new $37 million student union building. University President James Votruba took one, as did Student Regent Jennifer Perry, a senior majoring in organizational leadership. Other school officials - each wearing a white NKU construction helmet - did the same. Just like that, a project 14 years in the making officially began. "It's a special day ... to take another step in the development of NKU," Votruba said. "It's hard to believe that 35 years ago this was a farm and a pond." The three-story building will serve as the "Main Street" of campus, officials said. The size of a football field, the union will be next to the current Regents Hall in what was Parking Lot A. Read full article here: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060216/NEWS0103/602160384/1059/
February 27, 200619 yr Here are a couple of photos I got on 2/22. The first one is Harbor Greene: Also, WatersEdge has already started:
February 27, 200619 yr Still very much "on the drawing board". From the 2/27/06 Cincinnati Business Courier: Ascent prompts sister plan Corporex proposes second site as condo sales exceed 50% Laura Baverman Staff Reporter Strong sales in Corporex Cos.' signature Ascent condo development in Covington have prompted planning for a sister project directly west of the site. The development, now informally called Illuminations, would likely be a smaller, less expensive complex than Ascent. Tom Banta, executive vice president, discussed the project at the Feb. 17 UC/PNC Bank Real Estate Outlook conference. Corporex spokeswoman Debbie Vicchiarelli said the name and the details of the project are a work in progress. ... http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/02/27/story4.html
February 27, 200619 yr this is good news. the less surface lots the better in my opinion. i just hope they realie the reasons the ascent has been so successful, and that is the views and the unique design it has to offer. they already have the views. now, they need to make sure this poject is catchy and news worthy so people know about it.
February 27, 200619 yr I think the name is terrible. It sounds like an electric company. LOL... I do not like the name either--but oh well, I guess that is minor.
March 16, 200619 yr From the 3/17/06 Enquirer: Theater will have 3D capacity Florence Mall movie house will bring snacks to your seat BY SCOTT WARTMAN | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER FLORENCE - Residents and city leaders welcomed the announcement of a 14-screen movie theater to open at Florence Mall late in 2007. National Amusements announced plans this week to build a Showcase Cinemas with digital projection technology with 3D capability, Dolby Digital surround sound, rocker recliner chairs and food delivered to seats. http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060317/NEWS0103/603170443/1059/rss13
March 31, 200619 yr From the 3/30/06 Enquirer: Vision 2015 gets Friday unveiling Plan for N.Ky. focuses on economy, education BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - Northern Kentucky in 2015 can be a place where all children are ready to learn - and they focus more than kids do today on math, science and engineering. Northern Kentucky urban neighborhoods have become "true destinations." Local governments collaborate with each other. And with all the high-wage jobs coming to the area, the pay is generally good. Those are some of the things Northern Kentucky Vision 2015 officials see when they peer into the future, according to a preliminary release of a report that will be unveiled Friday afternoon. If you go What: The unveiling of Vision 2015 When: 1:30 p.m. Friday Where: Northern Kentucky University's METS Center, 3861 Olympic Blvd., Erlanger Information: (859) 291-2020 and www.vision2015.org MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060330/NEWS0103/603300367/1059/rss13
April 1, 200619 yr From the 3/31/06 Enquirer: Strategies define 'Vision' BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER With the hopeful songs of kindergarteners and videos portraying a "region in motion," results of a regionwide strategic planning process were unveiled today at a meeting at Northern Kentucky University's METS Center in Erlanger. “This has been a lot of fun, but it’s been like preparing to launch,” said NKU President James Votruba, co-chairman of the Vision 2015 process. “Now we do launch, and it’s time.” “The dreaming is done, and the doing must begin,” agreed Andrew “A.J.” Schaeffer, Votruba’s co-chairman, before an audience of several hundred. Dubbed Vision 2015, the plan offers more than three dozen strategies for improving Northern Kentucky by the year 2015, developed by Action Teams which included “Competitive Economy” and “Educational Excellence”. For documents, links and comprehensive media coverage, http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=VISION2015 MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060331/NEWS0103/60331007
April 2, 200619 yr From the 4/1/06 Enquirer: Next task: How to turn Vision ideas into reality BY MIKE RUTLEDGE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER ERLANGER - Now it's time for the difficult task of making the dreams work. With Vision 2015's ideas on how Northern Kentucky can be improved within the next decade, it's time to talk implementation, Vision 2015 leaders say. Local attorney and Vision 2015 co-chairman Andrew "A.J." Schaeffer will lead a yet-to-be-created Regional Stewardship Council of 20-30 people. Members will be announced soon. The council's members will be a mix of younger and older people, in keeping with the effort's inter-generational goal of grooming the next generation of Northern Kentucky leaders. MORE: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060401/NEWS0103/604010438/1059/rss13
April 7, 200619 yr ok so now im confused. i look at the plan and i look at the construction pics and it seems to me the latest 2 structures under construction are far away from the other. also, there is an existing structure in between the two new structures and the other. whats the deal, anyone know?
April 8, 200619 yr From the 4/7/06 Kentucky Post: Restaurateurs eye Madison sites By Greg Paeth Post staff writer Less than a week after the Atlanta Bread Company opened on the ground floor of the RiverCenter high-rise on the Covington riverfront, two other restaurant owners are pondering plans to open two new dining spots about seven blocks south on Madison. Rima David, who owns Rima's Diner in Crescent Springs, plans to renovate the long-vacant Chili Stop at Seventh and Madison into another Rima's Diner. ... http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060407/NEWS02/604070364/1011/RSS02
April 9, 200619 yr This is good news, but I don't think restaurants south of 4th street will last very long. I hate to be negative, but I've seen a ton of them come and go in that vicinity. I'm hoping they can pull it off though. BTW... I think the Saphire place is closed and the building is for sale.
April 13, 200619 yr From the 4/12/06 Kentucky Post: City buying land to boost arts district By Luke E. Saladin Post staff reporter Covington is buying blighted property in a crime-ridden pocket of its arts district in hopes the move will aid revitalization and boost the number of owner-occupied homes. Blighted properties near the intersection of Locust and Orchard streets are being acquired to facilitate construction of owner-occupied condominiums and homes in the residential portion of the Covington Arts District. That intersection is particularly troublesome, city officials say, because much of the property there is dilapidated and the corner is a hotbed of drug trafficking and other crime. ... http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060412/NEWS02/604120363/1011/RSS02
April 17, 200619 yr Author Property bought in arts district Covington bolsters area BY CINDY SCHROEDER | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER The city is buying dozens of properties in a blighted, crime-ridden part of its new arts district to boost home ownership and trigger redevelopment. So far, the city has spent $266,000 to acquire vacant or rundown lots on its Westside, and it has budgeted another $455,000 for property acquisitions and clearance, said Aaron Wolfe-Bertling, the city's housing development director. ... http://news.nky.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20060417/NEWS0103/604170357
April 18, 200619 yr From the 4/18/06 Cincinnati Post: Keeping up Stalwart Florence Mall isn't rolling over dead as new competitors spring up By Greg Paeth Post staff reporter On one hand, the new food court that's under construction at the Florence Mall will provide little more than some fresh surroundings for anyone in search of Chicken Vesuvio from Sbarro's, the quick-serve Italian franchise that prides itself for being "the largest shopping mall-based restaurant chain in the world." On the other, the new eating area is one of the first tangible steps in the still-gestating process of rebuilding, reshaping and rethinking the two-mile-long Mall Road corridor that has been Northern Kentucky's undisputed center of retail commerce since the Florence Mall opened nearly 30 years ago. http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060418/NEWS01/604180372
May 1, 200619 yr It could take Northern up to a year to design new facility By Stephenie Steitzer Post staff reporter With Gov. Ernie Fletcher sparing funding for the proposed Center for Informatics at Northern Kentucky University from a veto last week, school officials will now begin planning the facility. It could take the university up to a year to design the $35.5 million building, with construction not likely to start for another year after that, said Ken Ramey, vice president for administration and finance at NKU. "We would definitely break ground within the biennium," Ramey said Wednesday. The Center for Informatics is one of three NKU projects the state legislature authorized during the 2006 session. The university also gained approval to finish construction of a new student union and to build a parking garage next to the planned Bank of Kentucky Center, expected to open in 2008. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060501/NEWS02/605010357/1014
May 2, 200619 yr I really hope they get additional funding to add these projects, and hopefully they do not continue with the same architectural theme. They really need to beautify a little more, and get rid of the overall Logan's Run look of this campus. It was part of the era I guess.
May 2, 200619 yr Gateway to sell off campus, move to new Covington site Gateway Community and Technical College is making plans to eventually close and sell its Covington campus and open a new Covington campus. The move is about three years away. It's part of Gateway's master plan to have three campuses: the main one in southern Boone County, an urban campus in Covington and a health care campus in Edgewood. "We have to have all three of those up and running in order to vacate the current Covington campus," said Gateway President Edward Hughes. Classes now taught at the Covington campus will be moved to the Boone and new Covington campuses when adequate facilities are ready at those two sites. The Covington campus is on 23 acres near the border of Covington and Park Hills off of Amsterdam Road and includes the old Park Hills Elementary School. Read full article here: http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/NEWS01/605020349/1010/
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