Linden Gateway study releases initial report

The City of Covington and the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission have released an interim report on the Linden Gateway Small Area Study, which was approved by the project's task force on November 29.

The study, which includes areas roughly between 12th and 19th streets and between I-71/75 and the railroad tracks past Russell Street, is being conducted in anticipation of a new 120,000-square-foot building for St. Elizabeth and the widening and redevelopment of 12th Street. Demographics, housing, zoning, transportation and land use are being examined with the goal of improving the future of the city's Peaselburg and Westside neighborhoods.

The process began with interviews with people who are intimately involved with all of those issues, including community groups and planners.

Forty-five people attended the first public meeting on October 25, which produced the following public comments:

* While generally in favor of the 12th Street widening, concerns were aired about the speed of traffic on the widened road and the loss of parking.
* The neighborhoods need more parking in general.
* There are too many rentals and blighted houses, with some expressing the desire to have homes demolished to create larger yards.
* Connectivity to Madison Avenue is bad, and maybe the 15th Street bridge should be re-opened.
* A grocery store is needed - preferrably on 12th Street.
* The Bavarian Brewery needs to be redeveloped.
* Crime is too high and could be addressed through code enforcement.
* Adults want a small retail strip.
* Teens need a community center.
* Linden Grove Cemetery should be the primary greenspace and should be improved for public use.
* The area needs more pocket parks.

Recommendations from the interim report are currently being discussed by the task force and will be presented at the next public meeting in late January or early February.

The study task force is comprised of 11 members representing the Peaselburg Neighborhood Association, the Westside Action Coalition, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, the Linden Grove Cemetery Board, residents from both Peaselburg and Westside, and representatives of local business and industry.

The study will be completed in July 2008.

Read the Linden Gateway Small Area Study

Previous reading on BC:
Linden Gateway Small Area Study (9/14/07)