OneNKY Center officially opens its doors: Take a look inside

After two years of construction, the OneNKY Center has officially opened its doors with tenants already moved in. Inside the building, the offices are filled with artwork, office supplies, desks and the employees who occupy them.

The building, located at the base of the famous Roebling Bridge, is the latest landmark to join the Covington skyline. Its piercing white exterior and sky blue windows welcome drivers as they travel from Cincinnati across the bridge into Northern Kentucky.

Located at 209 Greenup St., the 47,000-square-foot, four-story corporate office building serves as the permanent home of several of Northern Kentucky’s growth organizations, including the NKY Chamber of Commerce, meetNKY, OneNKY Alliance, The Catalytic Fund of Northern Kentucky, BE NKY Growth Partnership, Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky and Northern Kentucky Bar Association.

On Friday, Northern Kentucky politicians and economic development officials celebrated the grand opening of the OneNKY Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Covington Mayor Ron Washington, who was one of the ceremony’s keynote speakers, said the organizations relocating to Covington were a “vote of confidence” for the city.

“These organizations are far more than tenants,” Washington said. “They are the leaders, driving new investment, supporting businesses, expanding tourism, cultivating culture and preparing the next generation of talent. Their presence here is a powerful vote of confidence in our city and in Northern Kentucky’s future. Today is a milestone nearly five years in the making.”

On top of hosting regional growth organizations, the OneNKY Center’s second floor is home to LifeSciKY’s 15,000 square foot life sciences lab and startup incubator. The floor, which is nearly completed, is outfitted with lab benches, modern scientific equipment and space for qualifying startups. While the growth organizations have already moved into the building, the life sciences lab is still filling its space.

Christin Godale, executive director of LifeSciKY, stated that the lab will help establish Northern Kentucky as a hub for top scientists and entrepreneurs in the life sciences field.

“Our mission is simple but powerful: to accelerate discovery by breaking down barriers so great ideas can take root and thrive,” she said. “We do this by creating spaces and connections that welcome early-stage companies, uniting industry, academia and investors, and building pathways for students, researchers and entrepreneurs to work side-by-side together.”

Constructing the OneNKY Center involved collaboration between local and state officials to cover the $26 million price tag. This was achieved by securing funds from multiple sources, including loans, grants, donations and public funds from various sources.

At the state level, the OneNKY Center project secured a $15 million state grant, supported by Senator Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights), Governor Andy Beshear, the City of Covington, and life sciences companies such as Covington-based Bexion Pharmaceuticals and CTI Clinical Trial Services. Additionally, several nonprofit organizations and community donors contributed an extra $1 million.

Locally, the Kenton County Fiscal Court approved a credit enhancement of approximately $8.7 million in construction bonds in May 2023, issued by the Kentucky Association of County Officials Finance Corporation.

“Being together under one roof, it’s a symbol of regional cooperation and a new ‘welcome to Northern Kentucky,’” Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann said.

Wrapping up the keynote speakers was Bill Butler, founder and chairman of Corporex, a real estate development firm based in Covington. Corporex managed the project’s development. Butler, whom many of the speakers credited as the sparkplug behind the project, told the audience he believed the building would stand for 100 years.

“I think this is a day we should rename ourselves officially–no longer just Northern Kentucky, a reference to a place on a map, but OneNKY, a reference to the people and to the community, not just a place. That’s how we should be known from this time forward. Today is a milestone.”