A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Task Force to investigate what new Covington City Hall could mean; seeks input from residents


By Ryan Clark
NKyTribune reporter

It’s official: The clock is ticking on the city’s remaining time in the current City Hall building on West Pike Street.

At their regular legislative meeting Tuesday night, Commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a contract of up to $20,000 with YARD & Company, a Bellevue-based urban growth firm, to investigate what a new City Hall should represent for Covington.

“The opportunity to build a new City Hall is pretty rare,” said Mayor

“The opportunity to build a new City Hall is pretty rare,” said Mayor Joseph U. Meyer, who noted a move is “not imminent,” but still “a good opportunity.”

The funding comes from private donations from the R.C. Durr Foundation, while the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Foundation is chipping in an extra $15,000 through Renaissance Covington to cover the rest of the cost of the contract.

Meyer said the goal of the study — which should take about five months — is to “develop a vision” for what a new building should say about the city and its residents. They will not talk about “where or when,” he said. Instead, they will focus on what the role of the building should be.

The current City Hall building’s lease is up for renewal this October and commissioners agreed this month to renew it for four years, with the idea that they will also utilize the time to look for a new home.

With three floods in the City Hall’s basement already this year, as well as an ever-increasingly large staff, City Manager David Johnston said last week that the building is not capable of providing what the city needs over the long haul.

The annual lease amount will be $255,000, a 2 percent increase over last year, or $417 per month.

In order to complete the study for a new City Hall, officials are creating a task force of 10-15 citizens willing to work with YARD & Company.

Those interested in serving on the task force should fill out the city’s boards and commissions application here.

Also Tuesday:

  • Mayor Meyer commented on the media reports that the MainStrasse Village Association will be filing for bankruptcy. Noting that the Commission knew nothing more than what had been reported in the media, he did say the association “is very important to the city.” He also went on to say they would be working with the association to find out more information, and noted it may be the right time to discuss the future of the association’s relationships with festivals and the city.
  • BM2 Freight Services — a full-service transportation solutions provider — is moving its headquarters to RiverCenter l. BM2 has 35 local employees and hopes to add 10 more employees over the next few years, city documents said. The city will support the company’s growth with a payroll reimbursement tax incentive, which was approved on Tuesday.
  • Commissioners heard the first reading of an ordinance to create the position for a grant writer. Commissioner Tim Downing said it was something the city sorely needs. “There are a lot of funds out there available,” he said. “I’m thrilled that we’re going to be able to hire somebody.”
  • Mayor Meyer reminded citizens to fill out their voter registrations by the deadline on Oct. 9. “Hurry up and do it so you can vote in November,” he said.  Election Day is Nov. 6.

The next regularly scheduled Covington Commission meeting will be a caucus meeting which will take place Oct. 2,  at 6 p.m., at the Covington City Hall at 20 West Pike St.

Contact the NKyTribune at news@nkytrib.com


Related Posts

Leave a Comment