Covington Mayor Ron Washington teased a possible new development in the city and highlighted current city initiatives that have occurred under this tenure on Thursday at his annual state of the city address.
“It was a year of momentum, of validation and, most importantly, a year that laid a strong foundation for what comes next,” Washington told the crowd at the Covington Business Council Luncheon where his speech took place.
Washington used the speech to talk about various accolades – both for the city itself and different entities within the city – and novel city projects and initiatives that occurred during his first year in office. As it related to the new development, he was slim on the details, but characterized it as an opportunity for the city and its residents.
“Soon, we’ll be sharing exciting news about an international company opening its first US-based production facility right here,” Washington said.
Washington highlighted the city’s housing initiative, which aims to refurbish vacant properties throughout the city, the city’s Bridging the Gap initiative, the city’s new recreation committee and the ongoing transition from a city manager form of government to a mayor-council form of government. He also discussed overall business growth within the city.
In 2025, Covington was named as having one of the most charming down towns in American by HGTV. Food & Wine Magazine also named Covington as one of the best small cities in America for food and drink. Covington business Carmelo’s was also named as the number 2 restaurant in America by USA Today. These and other accolades featured prominently in Washington’s address.
As it related to businesses, Washington pointed to the ongoing relocation of Fischer Homes’ HQ to the old First District Elementary building on Scott Street and the project at the Eilerman Building on Madison Avenue.
“This project, which will house three levels of office space and ground-level commercial space, is the only speculative office project currently underway in the Greater Cincinnati region,” said Washington.
One attendee asked Washington about rehabbing vacant properties into single family homes. Washington discussed the city’s housing initiative, which had initially hoped to sell unoccupied city-owned properties and use the money for down payment assistance for local residents, but he said that he “wasn’t happy with the results” that came in for those solicitations.
Still, Washington said, the city is working with a company to possibly build houses at about an $180,000 price point and then get local buyers connected to federal down payment assistance. That project is ongoing.
Another attendee asked if the city’s housing initiative was focused on homelessness. Washington admitted that no, the initiative focused mostly on working adults and the working poor, whom he also admitted could fall victim to homelessness. Still, he said, “it is an issue in our community.”
Another attendee asked if there was “any way to remove some of the stop signs that lead you up to the 12th Street Bridge?” This is in reference both to the closure of the 4th Street Bridge and the recent changes to traffic patterns on the Girl Scout Bridge, which now serves as the primary detour across the Licking River into Newport. Traffic backups have been observed there since the closure of the 4th Street Bridge this week.
Washington replied that that was a state road, so the City’s control over what happens was limited.
“We’re working with [the Transportation Cabinet, and we’re advocating for our community,” Washington said. “Not only are you seeing the backup on the traffic, but a lot of these cars are also coming onto our side streets that our team is responsible for maintaining. KYTC is taking an approach of, let’s just see what happens… They’re encouraging the public to pull up your GPS [and] look for alternative routes.”
Overall, the mayor’s speech was optimistic about the future.
“Covington’s best days are not behind us,” Washington said. “They are ahead of us.”