The Voice - September 2020

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City Update: Growth Continues at a Rapid Pace

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Submitted by City Manager Tom Fromme

Although we are in the midst of a severe pandemic, projects and activities in the City of Newport have continued at a rapid pace. Currently we have several economic development and infrastructure projects that are either ongoing or recently completed. The following list is a just a small representation of the many projects underway:

  • The Academy on Fourth Street: Located on the corner of Fourth and Monmouth Streets, this project has recently been completed. It consists of over 200 apartments ranging in size from single bedroom to three bedrooms. It also has space for commercial use along Monmouth Street.

  • Ovation project: This project kicked off several months ago with the first phase being a world-class music venue and parking garage. Currently the music venue is nearing completion with a projected opening date at the end of 2020. Discussions are underway regarding start dates for the next component of this phase, which includes a hotel and office building.

  • Baptist Home project: An adaptive reuse of the former nursing home located on Main Street in Newport’s Clifton neighborhood, this project will contain 42 condominium units with many having a great view of downtown Newport, Covington and Cincinnati.

  • Newport Racing Facility: This development is located in the Newport Shopping Center located in the 1700 block of Monmouth Street. The total improvement cost exceeds $30 million. When complete, the building will allow patrons to play historic horse racing machines and will also include space for simulcast racing. Nearly 80 full-time employees will be employed, with the projected opening in late 2020.

  • Newport on the Levee renovation: North American Properties, with headquarters in Cincinnati, purchased Newport on the Levee in 2018. A $100 million renovation is currently underway, with many exciting improvements. Receiving rave reviews is the recently dedicated Bridgeview Box Park.

  • New Riff Distillery expansion: Work is well underway on this expansion to the West Side campus of New Riff, which allows it to increase its annual distilling and storage of product. New Riff is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and has become a destination point for people who are taking the trail.

  • Taylor Southgate Bridge Connection to the Newport Flood Wall: This project has recently been completed and is now open for use by pedestrians. As part of the Riverfront Commons walkway that spans from Ludlow to Fort Thomas, the bridge connects pedestrians to additional recreational activities as well as serves as a catalyst for ongoing and future economic development within the Newport region.

  • Newport Dog Park: Read all about the Newport Dog Park in this issue of The Voice! Located adjacent to the Campbell County Library on Sixth Street, it replaces the older park located at the foot of Providence Drive. The new park is larger in scope and provides spaces for both large and small dogs. It also features a walking area that circles the perimeter of the new park, linking Nelson Place to East Sixth Street. This project relied on the cooperation and partnership with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as well as the Campbell County Library. It also involved volunteer efforts of several local residents working hand-in-hand with city staff. At press time, opening date for the dog park is on hold pending the Governor’s COVID pandemic orders.

  • Ralph Mussman Park: Extensive repairs have been completed at the tennis and basketball courts of Mussman Park. Tennis courts will also be striped to allow pickle ball.

  • Tree-Damaged Sidewalks & Waters Alley Repair Project: Work has started in the West End of the city and will then proceed to other neighborhoods. All work is projected to be complete by the end of November 2020.  

In total, we have more than $1.1 billion in projects currently underway or already completed in addition to the developments mentioned above. Newport is truly a city on the move, and we have not missed a beat due to various setbacks over the past years—including the recession and economic downturn due to COVID-19. We also have many other future developments in various stages in the pipeline. These developments promise to keep us busy and growing for many years to come. 

Although these projects are underway and may others to come, we are still wary of what lies ahead. We are severely understaffed due to lack of resources. We also face very large increases in pension-related costs. Demands for service have increased significantly during the COVID pandemic. Our staff has done a remarkable job trying to keep up, but there are inevitable delays due to the sheer volume of service requests.

As year-end draws near, we remain cautiously optimistic that things will return to normal once the outbreak has subsided, and business and other activities will re-open to the public.

Please remember to complete your census form either online or by mail. 

As always, if you have any questions, input or comments, please contact my office at 859-292-3687 or by email at jrovno@newportky.gov orbholiday@newportky.gov

Newport Resources:

City Website: http://www.newportky.gov/

City Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofNewportKY/ 

 Newport History Museum @ The Southgate Street School Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewportHistoryMuseumattheSouthgateStreetSchool/

Thanks for making Newport a great place to live, work, shop, dine and play.

Paws for Celebration! Newport Dog Park to Open Soon

Eric Love and Mira walk the perimeter of the dog park, checking out the new amenities and pet-friendly agility features.

Eric Love and Mira walk the perimeter of the dog park, checking out the new amenities and pet-friendly agility features.

By Paula Brandon

After tremendous effort by East Row residents, the gate is about to be unlocked at our Newport Dog Park, the new, off-leash destination created by our community under East Row Historic Foundation leadership. East Row resident, Timothy Appleton, stepped into the role of dog park chairperson two years ago to help reimagine a greatly expanded park and coordinate details of its funding and construction. He and his core team gathered support from the neighborhood, city and business community, overcoming more than a few obstacles along the way. 

“Our Newport Dog Park is a true community effort,” says Timothy. “Twice the size of the previous location, it accommodates a separate small-dog area and also includes exercise and agility features for all dogs. We were able to move and re-install the original fence, water fountain and benches to make good use of previous donations.” The new, expanded location is behind the Newport Branch of the Campbell County Library, 901 E. 6th St., an easy walk for everyone in the East Row.

On this once unwieldy, brush-covered hillside, Timothy, Will Gustafson and other volunteers saw potential as they started cleaning up the area several years ago. They enthusiastically pitched in to help the site evolve into a bigger, better dog park with the help of Tom Fromme, city manager, and Larisa Sims, assistant  city manager, who engaged in conversations at the state level to secure the property for this new purpose. The City of Newport made important improvements in re-grading the site and installing sidewalk areas. 

“It was very generous of the city to help get this done,” Timothy adds. “The nonprofit Newport Foundation, Inc., has provided significant support. Financial sponsorships, brick sales and countless hours of volunteer efforts from mulch spreading to setting railroad ties along the hillside and much more combined to make the new park a reality—and possibly the spark for other new, diverse recreational amenities to come.”

Not all communities are lucky enough to have a dog park. “Looking to the future, we want more shade, and we know we will need to fundraise to pay for water, mulch, landscaping and other maintenance costs,” says Tim. “Look for more opportunities to help support the dog park with the return of popular pup crawls, in addition to ongoing brick sales.” 

During dog park construction, Belmont Zeus accompanied Timothy Appleton on most days to oversee the activities and progress. Here he is giving his stamp of approval to the first concrete pads poured at the work site.

During dog park construction, Belmont Zeus accompanied Timothy Appleton on most days to oversee the activities and progress. Here he is giving his stamp of approval to the first concrete pads poured at the work site.

Thanks to members of the Newport Dog Park committee for all their efforts! Committee members, in addition to Timothy Appleton, are Bill Mackison, Josh Horn, Elaine Pearl and Madison Farr. When you see our committee members and sponsors, please give them a big thank you for everything they have done for our furkids, pet parents and community!

Platinum Sponsor ($5,000)

  • East Row Historic District 

  • National Band & Tag Company, International Identification, Inc. 

Gold Sponsor ($2,500) 

  • MedVet 

  • Newport on the Levee

It takes a village to create a dog park. volunteers drove bobcats, spread mulch, painted pawprints on dedicated parking spots and much more during construction of the new facility.

It takes a village to create a dog park. volunteers drove bobcats, spread mulch, painted pawprints on dedicated parking spots and much more during construction of the new facility.

Silver Sponsor ($1,000) 

  • Ron and Monica Gardner

Bronze Sponsor ($500) 

  • Jeff and Missy Richardson 

  • Audrey Owczarzak

  • Tom White 

  • NK Stone

Keep up with the latest happenings on the Newport Dog Park Facebook page. 

Dog Park Bricks Honor Beloved East Row Furkids

By Paula Brandon

Step onto the first batch of bricks installed at the Newport Dog Park and the messages will make your heart soar. Tributes to beloved pets, past and present, are not the only sentiments you’ll find, since many bricks honor spirited East Row residents and businesses that have made our historic neighborhood special. 

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Routine expenses will always be part of the dog park’s upkeep, and the purchase of bricks will help provide needed funds, all while leaving a permanent legacy at the facility. Buying a brick is a great way for petparents to celebrate their four-legged family members or honor a family member or friend’s birthday, anniversary or special occasion.

Bricks are installed when the appropriate number of orders is received for each 12x12 ft. section, with space for a total capacity of 500 bricks. Another round of bricks will be installed when enough orders have been received for the next section, so let’s get our orders in now to be part of the legacy of our new dog park. Here’s how to order: 

$75 Donation – 4x8 in. brick
$500 Donation – 12x12 in. brick 

Visit PolarEngraving.com/NewportDogPark
PayPal or checks accepted

NBA Hosts Candidates Night September 30

Submitted by Bev Holiday, NBA Vice President

Here’s an opportunity for you to become better acquainted with candidates running for the Newport Commission and Newport Independent School Board. The Newport Business Association (NBA) will host a Candidates Night on Wednesday, September 30, from 6-8:00 pm via NBA Facebook/Zoom.  

Newport Commission candidates will be featured from 6-7:00 pm and Newport Independent School Board candidates from 7-8:00 pm.  

All participating candidates will answer questions provided to them prior to the forum. This virtual event is hosted by the NBA and co-sponsored by ReNewport, the East Row Historic Foundation and Westside Citizens Coalition. Watch for more information on the East Row listserv.  

Visit the Newport Business Association Facebook page.

Reminder: Bring Home Some of Newport’s History

New Riff Community Bourbon Barrel Bottles Available for Purchase: The limited edition 225th anniversary bottles “Proudly Celebrating Our Diverse Past & Making History Every Day” are now available for purchase in the New Riff Distillery Gift Shop at 24 Distillery Way. Thanks to New Riff’s generous donation, a portion of each bottle sold will benefit the 225th Anniversary Celebration of Newport’s History.

The Newport History Museum @ The Southgate Street School is offering for purchase a limited supply of architectural pieces from the former 1936 Fourth Street School. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the promotion and interpretation of the 225-year history of the City of Newport.

Items Available for Purchase:
Terra Cotta Decorative Block - $55
Slate Deli Cheese Board - $28
Oak and Brass Stair Railings - $75

Newport 225 Coasters and magnets are also available, locally handcrafted by Studio Vertu.
Coasters - $10
Magnets - $6

Delivery within Newport will be arranged. Please contact Scott Clark at sclark@newportky.gov for ordering items from the former Fourth Street School. Thank you for your continued support of the Newport History Museum!

The Voice

Editor: Paula Brandon

Send articles to voice@eastrow.org. The editor reserves the right to edit or reject submissions due to length or content.