Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Covington covets grants
City longs for 'renaissance'
By Ray Schaefer
Enquirer Contributor
COVINGTON — City leaders want downtown to be part of a renaissance movement, but it will have nothing to do with any medieval festival.
The city is applying to a state agency to become a Renaissance Kentucky Community.
The city has until the end of the month to submit a grant applica tion to the Government Renaissance Alliance, which then recommends designation to the governor's office. The City Commission adopted a resolution Tuesday declaring its intent to participate.
“I hope there will be some grant money down the road,” developer Glen Kukla said Tuesday.
Economic development director Ella Brown-Frye said the city is not applying for a specific amount of money. Instead, she said renaissance status would put Covington in a smaller group of cities competing for a larger pool of dollars.
Newport and Dayton have already received renaissance status.
Several agencies are working on Covington's application, including Southbank Partners, the Covington Business Council and Friends of Covington.
The area being studied is bordered by Fourth Street, Madison Avenue, Scott Boulevard and Eighth Street. The area has 119 buildings, and the city has to compile information about each. The agencies have been working for several months, and Ms. Brown-Frye said the area could be expanded later.
The eight-part study the city must submit includes looking at downtown's appearance, financial support mechanisms, and safety and security. Southbank Partners Executive Director Wally Pagan said image is important.
“We must get rid of the perception of the crime as well as the reality of it,” Mr. Pagan said.
Mr. Pagan also said the city could consider loosening zoning restrictions to allow more residential and business development in the upper floors of downtown buildings.
After the grant is submitted, it may take until September or October before the city finds out whether it is accepted.
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