The iconic, but aging, Carroll Chimes Bell Tower is getting a facelift.
Construction to improve the tower’s structural integrity and functionality will begin in August.
“The work undertaken with this phase of repairs will stabilize the tower’s exterior,” said Covington City Neighborhood Services Director Brandon Holmes. “Fortunately, the city is able to proceed with making the investment needed for structural repairs now.”
The bell tower needs a variety of different repairs, some of which are detailed below:
- Installing a copper rain table, with all seams hand-soldered
- Replacing the counter flashing on the copper roofs
- Fixing open or cracked mortar joints
- Installing new gutters
- Removing and rebuilding four rowlock pier caps
- Replacing wood on the cupola
- Repairing or replacing wood timber as needed on the upper clock tower
- Pressure-washing and waterproofing the entire bell tower
Holmes said repairs to the tower’s chimes and internal parts will be undertaken during a future phase.
The City of Covington awarded contractor Bryant Hartke Construction with the job. The contract is worth $109,450. Federal grants from the Community Block Grant Development program will be used to pay for repairs to the tower’s exterior.
Original construction on the 100-foot German Gothic bell tower was completed in 1979. The bell tower is named after former Kentucky Governor and State Senator Julian Carroll. Located in MainStrasse Village’s Goebel Park, the bell tower is seen as a symbol of Covington’s German heritage.
“The Carroll Chimes Bell Tower has always been an important attraction that draws people to Covington,” said Julie Kirkpatrick, meetNKY president & CEO. “It is an icon of Covington. Thousands of visitors yearly make it a part of their Northern Kentucky experience.”
