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Plans for $24 million Dayton Riverfront Commons project revealed; trail will connect river cities


KZF, an architecture and engineering design firm in Cincinnati, has revealed the design plans for a riverfront project in Dayton that is part of the Riverfront Commons Trail.

Eric Anderson of KZF presented renderings of the riverfront walkway and answered questions about the plans during a recent public meeting in Dayton.

Dayton Riverfront Commons 1

Dayton’s unique riverfront design plans incorporate the entire riverfront shoreline from the Bellevue-Dayton border of O’Fallon Avenue east to the Route 8 entrance of the Ohio River floodwall. Once the project is completed, the pathway will connect the river cities of Dayton, Bellevue, Newport, Covington, Ludlow and Fort Thomas, a walking/biking/running artery known as the Riverfront Commons Trail.

“The Riverfront Commons project showcases Dayton’s desire to provide our citizens with easier and safer access to economic hubs in the region through means of alternative transportation,” said Dayton’s City Manager, Michael Giffen. “At the same time, projects like this will bring people from all over the region to Dayton, which allows us to highlight the strong economic opportunities here, both residential and commercial. It also doesn’t hurt that this project will provide beautiful scenic views of the river, new development, and other features unique to Dayton.”

The riverfront will include a winding walking trail, two separate piers that hug the shoreline, as well as handicap ramps that access the walkways and piers. The design plans also included restrooms, parking lots, buildings designated for vendors and stages designated for entertainment.

“It’s exciting for Dayton, and all of the river cities, to see the potential of the riverfront,” said Jack Moreland, president of Southbank Partners. “Dayton’s walkway will add a unique section to the Riverfront Commons Trail. Southbank Partners plans to help Dayton access additional grants that can be applied towards the project.”

Southbank Partners is a coalition of government, business and community leaders in the Northern Kentucky Ohio River cities of Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow and Fort Thomas.

Moreland wrote the federal grant for which Dayton was awarded more than $500,000 in October for the riverfront walkway

The price for the entire project is an estimated $24 million. Following city approval, the detailed plans will then be submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Depending on the speed of approvals and funding, the entire process could take up to 10 to 15 years to complete.

Southbank Partners


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