Gov. Andy Beshear awarded multiple grants to the City of Newport on Tuesday. He also gave the City of Alexandria funding to improve Alexandria Community Park.
“All right, good afternoon, folks,” Beshear said. “I’m here to make what I hope is one of many future announcements about bridges in Northern Kentucky.”
While he wasn’t here to speak about the Brent Spence Companion Bridge, he made sure to mention the funding the Kentucky Legislature recently passed in their biennial budget.
He presented the City of Newport with two checks. The first was for $175,000 to make improvements to the Purple People Bridge. The second was for $200,000 to improve the beach area along the riverfront behind Newport on the Levee. This is the space where multiple festivals are held each year.
“This grant comes through our Department for Local Governments Recreational Trails Program, which works to improve Kentucky’s amazing outdoor offerings like the Purple People Bridge,” Beshear said of the grant to update the paint and other tangibles on the pedestrian-only bridge.
The $200,000 award comes via the Land and Water Conservation Fund to construct a play area at Festival Park, which sits between the Purple People Bridge and the Taylor Southgate Bridge.
“It’s going to improve ADA access to the upper and lower terraces of Festival Park and provide new amenities,” Beshear said while pointing at the park.
Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. accepted the checks on behalf of the city.
“As we move into the next phase of strengthening this bridge for future generations, it’s going to require the commitment from government, which we got today, our residents, businesses, and the entire community,” Guidugli said.
Lastly, they awarded $31,000 to the City of Alexandria for the Alexandria Community Park. The funds will be used to construct a large shelter area.