Riverfront Commons is an 11.5-mile uninterrupted walking, running, and biking trail that links Northern Kentucky’s six river cities – Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton, and Fort Thomas – to the City of Cincinnati and other local trail systems. This trail is the signature project of Southbank Partners, a community and economic development organization that supports these river cities.
The vision for Riverfront Commons arose from a 2006 U.S. Army Corps of Engineering study, which envisioned a continuous riverfront corridor along the edge of the Ohio River that would provide riverbank stabilization and an uninterrupted trail system and open space, promote economic development, and improve quality of life in the region.
Portions of the trail system have been completed already in two cities. On Tuesday March 14th, the Covington Mayor and Board of Commissioners approved an order awarding the next phase of the Riverfront Commons Project construction bid to Sunesis Construction.
The bid awards $1,280,480 to Sunesis to begin construction of pieces of the Riverfront Commons project in Ludlow, Newport, and Covington. Construction is expected to start as early as May and to be completed this year.
When finished, Riverfront Commons will connect Northern Kentucky’s six river cities seamlessly with the City of Cincinnati via the Purple People Bridge, the pedestrian-only bridge spanning the Ohio River.
The trail also will also connect with other local trails systems such as Licking River Greenway along the Licking River in Covington and the Devou Park Backcountry Trails in that city, the Tower Park Trails in Fort Thomas, and the Ohio River Bike Trail, which will ultimately connect with the Little Miami Scenic Trail that runs through five counties in southwestern Ohio.
Questions about the Riverfront Commons trail, estimated completions dates, Manhattan Harbour, future trail locations, and project financing should be directed to Southbank Partners. To learn more about this trail project, check out the Riverfront Commons brochure. To learn more about the economic development action plan for the Southbank cities and the important role that Riverfront Commons plays in this plan, read the Imagination 2020 brochure.
POSTSCRIPT: The Story Map of which this illustration is a part may be found here. By the end of this Story Map experience, viewers will have a better understanding of Riverfront Commons project.
