In January, Covington sued The Frank Duveneck Arts and Cultural Center, the owner of the Duveneck House on Greenup Street, to act as a conservator for the “blighted building.”
The city is looking to restore the historic building, named after the famous local artist who lived there.
Kenton County Circuit Court Judge (Mary) Kate Molloy heard the court trial on April 5. She took testimony from several city officials and the property owner, Charles Alexander. According to the city, the judge ruled that the house was found to be dilapidated and not in compliance with codes, but Alexander was given until the end of July to find funding and make the repairs or begin making repairs.
Covington used the new legal tool, the Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, created in 2022, to bring an action to appoint a conservator to take possession of and undertake the rehabilitation of an abandoned or blighted building. In the initial petition, Covington outlines its rehabilitation plan to help stabilize the building, estimated to cost at least $155,000 or more if additional problems are uncovered.
Covington Assistant Neighborhood Services Director Walt Mace, Covington Code Enforcement Manager Joe Meimann, and Covington Housing Development Specialist Archie Ice all testified on the city’s behalf. They spoke about the Duveneck House’s condition and the repeated property violations that Alexander has received over the years.
According to the city, if Alexander doesn’t meet the court deadline, Molloy will appoint a conservator, which may or may not be the city.
“We’re thrilled that the judge agrees with us that the condition of the property is taken to the point where something absolutely needs to be done, that those actions have not been taken,” Covington Communications Manager Dan Hassert said. “Whether it’s us who eventually fixes up the building or somebody hired by Mr. Alexander, we don’t care; we just want the building stabilized and preserved. That’s all we ever wanted, and it looks like with this, we’ll get that done as soon as possible. We’re thrilled with this outcome.”
LINK nky has reached out to Alexander’s attorney, Erik Wilbekin, for comment but we have yet to hear back.
The city wants to preserve the property because it was where renowned artist, sculptor and teacher Frank Duveneck grew up. His stepfather built the home in 1861. The family operated a beer garden there, and it was expanded in 1875. He eventually returned to live there full-time; Duveneck painted in the studio built behind the house around 1900 and was living there when he died in 1919.
Duveneck is considered one of the most celebrated American artists of the late 19th century and early 20th century. He painted in the style of Realism, and his work can be seen at places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Cincinnati Art Museum.
The Duveneck House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Sept. 29, 2015, according to the Kentucky Heritage Council.
“We just want it stabilized and preserved as a piece of cultural and art history,” Hassert said. “And it also is a detriment to the neighbors. Hopefully, eventually, it will be put into some productive, interesting use after it’s stabilized, but that’s the first goal, and that’s been our goal all along with the code enforcement violations. We just want this building saved.”
A resident from Covington’s Austinburg neighborhood, Joanie Brun, told LINK nky in February that she would like to see the house preserved and offered some of her thoughts on how she would like to see the space used.
“I was absolutely amazed when I discovered that Frank Duveneck’s former home, which should have been preserved to honor the late artist, is currently in a state of disrepair,” Brun said. “Architecture has always held a special place in my heart, just like many others before me. As an artist myself, I found inspiration in Duveneck’s house, which motivated me to focus my senior thesis on raising awareness about the condition of this historic landmark.”
Defects on the exterior of the property, as listed by Covington in the petition, include:
- It has an open foundation that allows water and animals in.
- The south wall is bowing and is no longer stable.
- The house’s “balloon frame” makes it a fire hazard.
- The roof is in disrepair and endangers the structural integrity of the building.
