This week, in government meetings, Newport will consider purchasing a Tesla for its planning and development department and the issuance of over $900,000 grant for home construction and assistance, while Florence will consider a zone change for a Kemba Credit Union.
Keep reading to find out what happened in local government over the past week and what you need to know for this week.
What happened in NKY government last week?
Covington allocates an extra $33,600 for the rehab of historic Duveneck House
The city of Covington has allocated an additional $33,600 to rehabilitate the historic Duveneck House in the Eastside neighborhood, addressing structural damage, including issues in the former studio of Frank Duveneck. After an eight-year legal battle, the city gained control of the blighted property in 2024 using the “Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act.” The project, funded by $175,000 in federal funds and managed by the Neighborhood Services Department, aims to restore the house, which was added to the National Historic Register in 2015. The rehabilitation is contracted to Structural Systems Repair Group for no more than $167,990, with additional grants being sought to complete the work.
Read more about the Duveneck House here.
Dayton Heritage Museum looks toward reopening this year
The Dayton Heritage Museum is seeking community support as it prepares to reopen after closing last year for major repairs. Updates shared at a Dayton City Council meeting highlighted renovation, including new windows, roof repairs, flooring, and fresh paint, along with plans to digitize the collection for greater accessibility. Board members Tina Neyer and Laura Moeller emphasized the museum’s role in preserving and celebrating Dayton’s rich history, from its origins as two towns to its vibrant community heritage. The newly established Dayton Heritage Museum Society aims to secure grants and launch initiatives like historical walking tours and oral history events. With no reopening date set, the museum invites volunteers to help complete the revitalization effort and encourages community involvement to ensure its future success.
Read more about the museum here.
Kenton County selects project manager for new public park
Kenton County is moving forward with plans to create a new public park on the 225-acre site of the former Fox Run Golf Course in Independence, adjacent to the 78-acre Lincoln Ridge Park, forming a unified recreation area. The Fiscal Court approved J.S. Held, a Cincinnati-based consulting firm, as the project manager to oversee planning, design and construction. The firm will develop the park’s master plan, manage the hiring of contractors and design teams, and ensure the project stays on track. Plans for the park include amenities such as an amphitheater, zipline tower, ropes course, and community gardens. The project timeline will be finalized in the coming weeks, with hopes for completion within two years.
Read more about the park here.
Elsmere authorizes zoning for medical cannabis operations
The city of Elsmere has approved zoning regulations to allow the cultivation, processing, and sale of medical cannabis, following a unanimous city council vote on Jan. 14. Medical cannabis businesses can now operate cultivation and processing facilities in industrial zones and dispensaries in commercial zones. After statewide legalization on Jan. 1, the city placed the issue on the 2024 general election ballot for a referendum, temporarily prohibiting medical cannabis businesses until the vote. With the prohibition now repealed, Elsmere is set to accommodate these businesses within its city limits.
Read more about the medical cannabis operations here.
Walton names street after local veterans
A newly named road in Walton, Ross Kerns Drive, honors local veterans Woodrow Ross Jr. and Lawrence Kerns, who passed away in 2016 and 2014, respectively. Both men were Vietnam veterans and active members of the American Legion, with Ross serving as a U.S. Marine and Legion commander, and Kerns as a U.S. Army first sergeant and long-time VFW member.
Read more about the street naming here.
Newport creates new roles to enhance engagement with residents, businesses
Newport is creating two new roles to enhance communication and engagement with residents and businesses: a municipal and community liaison and an economic development coordinator. The liaison will work closely with city departments, attend community meetings, address public concerns, and collaborate on the city’s budget throughout the year. The economic development coordinator will focus on revitalizing storefronts, engaging with entrepreneurs, and addressing vacancies, particularly along Monmouth Street. Both roles aim to strengthen connections between the city, its residents, and businesses, with a focus on addressing community needs and supporting economic growth.
Read more about the new roles here.
Newport to reconstitute parks and recreation division
Newport is planning to reestablish its parks and recreation division after a 20-year hiatus, aiming to expand youth activities and revive popular community events like the Halloween parade and chili cook-off. Two existing city employees will fill the new roles: Kim Colston as parks and recreation clerk and Daylin Garland as parks and recreation manager. Colston will focus on event planning, while Garland will create supervised basketball leagues and youth sports programs and investigate the return of softball and baseball. The division will also oversee the development of a soccer pitch, supported by FC Cincinnati.
Read more about the reconstituting the parks and recreation division here.
Wendy’s, 7 Brew Coffee developments near approval in Boone County
Two zone change requests in Boone County could lead to the development of a Wendy’s and a 7 Brew Coffee. Sinkula Investments seeks to rezone 1.2 acres at Mt. Zion Road and Lakeside Drive from Mobile Home Park to Commercial Four for a 2,300-square-foot Wendy’s, potentially displacing six mobile homes. Adjacent Greenlawn Mobile Home Park may face eventual commercial redevelopment due to its visibility and access. Meanwhile, Brew Team KY LLC proposed rezoning 1.56 acres on US 42 in Florence to build Northern Kentucky’s first 7 Brew Coffee, a 510-square-foot drive-thru concept. Traffic concerns were raised for both projects, with the Wendy’s site addressing private road repairs and the 7 Brew plan navigating exit routes onto Lacresta Drive. Both proposals await final decisions by local authorities.
What’s happening this week in NKY government?
Newport to discuss purchasing Tesla for planning and development department, issue of federal grant for home construction and assistance
Newport Commission special meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 21
What you need to know: Newport is purchasing one Tesla for the planning and development department. The city received $994,818 for home construction and assistance. The project includes building five homes in vacant lots in the city.
The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. at 998 Monmouth St.
The agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Board of Education: Tuesday, Jan. 21
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at 101 Orchard Ln in Alexandria.
The agenda can be found here.
Highland Heights City Council: Tuesday, Jan. 21
The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at 176 Johns Hill Road.
Boone County Fiscal Court: Tuesday, Jan. 21
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 2950 Washington Street.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Covington to discuss a zone change for 1564 Banklick St.
Covington Board of Commission Caucus meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 21
What you need to know: The commission is discussing one ordinance changing 1564 Banklick St. from light industrial to semi-urban residential.
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at Covington City Hall at 20 W Pike St.
Erlanger City Council: Tuesday, Jan. 21
The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at 505 Commonwealth Ave.
The meeting can be found here when it is published.
Florence to discuss a zone map request for Kemba Credit Union
Florence City Council: Tuesday, Jan. 21
What you need to know: Florence will discuss recommendations from the Boone County Planning Commission for a zoning map amendment request from Seva at Merchants Square II, LLC for Kemba Credit Union, Inc. The proposed change is from Commercial Two/Planned Development/Houston Donaldson Study Corridor to Office Two/Planned Development/Houston Donaldson Study Corridor for a 5.3-acre area located at 5935 and 5945 Merchants Street in Florence.
The meeting will start at 6 p.m. at 8100 Ewing Boulevard.
The meeting agenda can be found here.
Campbell County Fiscal Court: Wednesday, Jan. 22
The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at 1098 Monmouth St.
The meeting agenda can be found here when it is published.
Southgate City Council: Wednesday, Jan. 22
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 122 Electric Avenue
Ludlow City Council Caucus meeting: Thursday, Jan. 23
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at 51 Elm St.
The meeting agenda can be found here when it is published.
