Thursday, February 24, 2000
Covington apartment project advances
BY RAY SCHAEFER
Enquirer Contributor
COVINGTON — The upscale apartment building slated for Third and Greenup streets has had construction drawings and a completion date for five months.
Wednesday, after more than a year of talks, City Commission approved a resolution required for construction to begin.
City Manager Greg Jarvis said the city's approval with Towne Properties of Mount Adams and Covington sets up a groundbreaking in either April or May.
Completion of the $9 million project — which the city and Towne Properties had discussed for more than a year — is set for spring 2001. Cole & Russell Architects of Cincinnati is the designer.
The project, called Covington Apartments, calls for 88 upscale units. The U-shaped, four-story building will wrap around Second, Third and Greenup streets and fit in with the historic Licking Riverside neighborhood. It will feature porches, decorative cornices and a variety of brick colors.
Mr. Jarvis said monthly rents would range from $750 to $1,300. The 1.76-acre parcel consists of a city-owned parking facility and Bensons Inc., a catering business owned by the Bernstein family, which owns Mike Fink Restaurant and BB Riverboats.
Under the city's agreement, Towne Properties will pay the city $75,000 to convey title to its part of the land. The city will spend about $75,000 for sidewalk improvements new lighting around the site and another $50,000 for parking lot repairs just west of the site.
In other action:
• Commissioners passed a resolution revising the job description for the city's historic preservation officer position.
Mr. Jarvis said the biggest change involves adding responsibilities for complying with state and federal housing regulations to the historic preservation officer. He said it would take about two months to hire someone.
• Commissioner J.T. Spence asked about the progress on hiring a new zoning administrator to replace Ralph Hopper, who left last year. Mr. Jarvis said a revised job description would be ready within two weeks.
• Commissioners passed a resolution to appoint members to the city's Housing Code Enforcement Board. Mr. Jarvis said there are openings for three members and three alternates.
Commissioner Butch Callery said eight people are interested in serving, and Mr. Spence wanted to know what the appointment criteria are.
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