- Pepper Construction and MSA Design selected to lead $125M Covington riverfront project
- Development will house NKU Chase Law and UK College of Medicine-NKY campus
- Project aims to boost enrollment, expand programs and activate RiverCenter area
The $125 million “Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence” project by the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University now has its construction and design firms on board.
Chicago-based Pepper Construction and Cincinnati-based MSA Design will serve as the design-build team for the project that will bring Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law and the University of Kentucky College of Medicine-Northern Kentucky Campus to Covington’s riverfront, according to a press release from Kenton County.
Additionally, the design-build team includes SLAM, THP Limited, Heapy, The Kleingers Group and Design 27.
Pepper Construction is a well-known company in Greater Cincinnati, having completed projects such as renovations to the Great Parks of Hamilton County headquarters and the Recreation Center at Northern Kentucky University. Currently, the firm is working on the new City of Covington building and Boone County’s new emergency management and public safety communications facility.
MSA Design has designed numerous projects in Northern Kentucky, including several parts of NKU’s campus, such as the Central Plaza, Student Success Center, and NKU Soccer Stadium.
NKY Port Authority Executive Director Christine Russell said the selection of both firms was a “critical step” in the project.
“Pepper and MSA brought a clear vision for how to execute this project at the highest level possible,” Russell said in the release. “Following a competitive selection process, it became clear that their depth of experience, particularly in delivering complex higher education and research facilities, set them apart, making this the clear and confident choice of both universities.”
The 1.89-acre site, located at 11 East Rivercenter Blvd., was selected in October following a search led by HDR, the project manager, with support from developer Pizzuti. The goal of the project is to enhance the surrounding streetscape with new outdoor amenities, creating a more active and inviting public space, while providing both universities with room to grow and expand their programs.
The site also provides direct access to the 1,500-space Kenton County Parking Garage, which generally has over 900 spaces available on weekdays.
A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place later this year. Once completed, Chase Law School will move back to Covington, its original location from 1972 to 1981. Moreover, the additional space will enable the UK College of Medicine to expand its Northern Kentucky campus enrollment by 40%.
“The Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence reflects what’s possible when institutions come together around a shared vision,” NKU President Cady Short-Thompson said in the release. “This is ultimately about creating more opportunities for students by expanding access to high-demand fields and providing the kind of learning environment that prepares them to make an immediate impact in the Northern Kentucky region.”
