Covington City Commission approves $1.37 million contract for downtown restoration project

Cincinnati Enquirer

The Covington City Commission approved a $1.37 million contract for the project, according to the press release.

Downtown Covington will undergo a major reconstruction project beginning Sept. 9, according to a press release by the city.

The project will be limited to Sixth Street and Scott Boulevard and will cost $1.37 million, according to the release.

A long-awaited face-lift

The Sixth Street and Scott Boulevard Restoration Project will bring new sidewalks, underground utilities, ADA ramps, decorative lamp posts, decorative brick pavement, streetscape trees and trash cans to the "L-shaped" area that includes Scott Boulevard from Fourth Street to Sixth Street and the north side of Sixth Street between Scott and Madison Avenue, the release states.

The project is far from a new idea. The release states that the Sixth Street and Scott Boulevard Restoration Project emanated from the 2012 Covington Center City Action Plan.

"This has been in the discussion phase for as long as I've been with the City," public works director Rick Davis said. "It feels good to stop talking about this stuff and actually get it done."

A previous attempt at the reconstruction of Sixth Street and Scott Boulevard wound up a million dollars over budget, according to the release.

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The City of Covington announced Thursday that a major reconstruction project will begin Sept. 9.

Federally funded

The current contract with Adleta Inc. was recently approved by the Covington City Commission for up to $1.37 million.

The construction and material will be funded by federal transportation grants, Davis said in the release.

Economic development director Tom West said that both potential homeowners and business owners in the area make decisions based off of 'curb appeal.'

"Covington needs to do all it can to make its downtown streets and sidewalks inviting and walkable," West said in the release.

Ready by next summer

The City of Covington says the project should be finished by summer 2020.

Any traffic changes due to the project will be minor and short, Davis said.

Businesses directly affected by the underground utility work will be contacted individually.