SouthBank Partners

E-Newsletter

JULY 2010

PAGAN, CLAYPOOL HONORED WITH SOUTHBANK AWARDS

An iconic figure in Northern Kentucky and a dedicated volunteer have been honored by Southbank Partners as the recipients of the inaugural Founders Award and Volunteer of the Year Award.

Wally Pagan, the first president of Southbank Partners and a long-time government and community leader in Northern Kentucky, was given the Founders Award.

Mike Claypool, owner and founder of MAC Productions in Covington, was named Volunteer of the Year.

Both awards were given during a July 15 dinner and ceremony at Covington's Drees Pavilion. The awards were a surprise; neither Pagan nor Claypool knew they were going to receive the awards.

Southbank President Jack Moreland said the organization was "blessed to be served by two outstanding people like Wally Pagan and Mike Claypool." Pagan was given two proclamations recognizing his contributions to Southbank and the Northern Kentucky river cities: Bellevue Mayor Jack Meyer presented Pagan with a proclamations from the Southbank cities; State Rep. Arnold Simpson, D-Covington, presented a resolution from The Kentucky General Assembly that was introduced by Rep. Dennis Keene, D-Wilder.

Pagan paid tribute to businessman Ray Beil of EGC Construction. Beil, along with fellow businessman Wayne Carlisle and Covington attorney Chris Mehling, the former head of the Covington Business Council and now a Kenton Family Court Judge, were among those who founded Southbank following the opening of the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington.

Pagan received a special honor in recognition of his work developing the Purple People Bridge between Newport and Cincinnati. The walkway is known as "Pagan's Path" and is marked by a sign on the Kentucky side of the bridge. A second "Pagan's Path" marker will be installed on the Ohio side of the bridge, and a replica of the marker was presented to Pagan.

Claypool's MAC Productions also produced a video chronicling Pagan's life and work with Southbank which was founded in 1997. The event was sponsored by The City of Covington, Corporex Companies LLC, EGC Construction, Gateway Community and Technical College, Griffin Industries, MAC Productions, Newport on the Levee, Strategic Advisers and TANK.

SOUTHBANK ON FACEBOOK

Be sure to log on to Southbank Partners' new Facebook page. Follow events, news and activities in Southbank cities; become a Faceboook "friend" of Southbank; and sign up on Twitter to receive quick information about Southbank events, festivals, news and more.

SOUTHBANK, US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS BEGIN WORK ON RIVERFRONT STABILIZATION FEASIBILITY STUDY

Southbank Partners and The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have begun initial planning for a major feasibility study of stabilizing portions of the Northern Kentucky Ohio Riverfront. Representatives from the Corps of Engineers and Southbank Partners met recently in Newport to discuss the study, a key component of the planned Riverfront Commons revitalization plan.

"This is a giant step toward the stabilization of the riverfront,” said Southbank President Jack Moreland. “It is an opportunity to design something that will make the riverfront a destination point, a catalyst to create jobs and attract tourists, businesses and residents to the Southbank cities.” Southbank worked with State Rep. Dennis Keene, D-Wilder, and The Northern Kentucky Port Authority to secure $350,000 from the State of Kentucky. The money will be used to provide dollar-for-dollar matching funds to pay for the riverfront stabilization study.

The study will help engineers and planners as they work toward the Riverfront Commons project, which includes stabilizing the riverfront by addressing erosion and eventually constructing a pedestrian pathway connecting the Southbank cities.

“This is a feasibility study,” said Amy Babey of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “We will look at what options we have, identify alternatives and study past riverfront plans. We are trying to get a road map of where we want to go with this project.”

The study is expected to take 18 months to two years to complete.

Riverfront Commons is a planned pedestrian pathway connecting the Southbank cities by linking residential and commercial areas, recreation opportunities, tourist attractions as well as art and cultural sites while providing a walking and hiking trail along the Ohio River.

SOUTHBANK TAKES OVER MANAGEMENT OF WORLD PEACE BELL WELCOME CENTER

As of July Southbank Partners has assumed management of the World Peace Bell Welcome Center at 425 York St. in Newport.

A fee will be charged for opening, closing and cleaning the center. For non-profit organizations, the fee is $250. Included in that fee is a refundable deposit of $125.00 following a satisfactory inspection of the premises. Fees for private functions will be determined on an individual basis.

The parking lot adjacent to the building offers complimentary spaces for tour buses Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Large group parking can be arranged through Southbank Partners and our parking lot contractor – System Parking.

"We look forward to working with tourists, history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts and providing space for civic groups and business meetings” said Southbank President Jack Moreland. Rental information is available from Southbank.

SOUTHBANK CITIES PHOTO CONTEST

Three Southbank cities are participating in an August photo contest that is open to the public.

Capture the beauty of Dayton, Bellevue and Newport – and win up to $1,000 – in River Cities Photo Contest of 2010.

"This is an excellent opportunity for everyone who has ever had an interest in photography to step back and look at the unique qualities of the community in which they live,” said Dayton City Council member Cathy Volter. “Our river cities are rich in architecture as well as the stories of the faces of its residents."

The photos must be shot in these cities on these dates in August:

· Dayton Aug. 7 and 8.

· Bellevue Aug. 14 and 15.

· Newport Aug. 21 and 22.

Cash prizes will be awarded for First Place ($1,000), Second Place ($500) and Third Place ($300). There is a $10 fee to enter.

Winning photos from each city shoot will be included in a final judging of all photos. The winning photos from each city will be on display in that city and all winning photos will be on display at Bellevue's annual Art in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Applications and rules can be picked up at:

· Dayton City Building: 514 6^th Ave. Dayton, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

· Red Door Photography, 224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information or to download and application email Barry Baker at http://us.mc335.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rivercitiesphotocontest@insightbb.com.

SOUTHBANK TROLLEY BUSES READY TO ROLL

The Kentucky Enquirer reported that the new Southbank Shuttle trolleys will be rolling once the Roebling Suspension Bridge paint job is completed.