By Jack Moreland The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s recent closure of the Fourth Street Bridge between Covington and Newport – also known as the World War Veterans Memorial Bridge -- underscores the compelling need for more state transportation infrastructure funding for Northern Kentucky’s river cities.   Last week, KYTC closed this vital connection on Ky. 8 betwe...

The World Peace Bell Center is usually open from 9am to 3pm Monday - Friday.  Anyone wanting to visit the Peace Bell should call 859-655-7700 just to verify that the office is open and that they would be able to access the Bridge that connect to the Bell.  The Peace Bell no longer rings everyday at noon.  Please watch "A BRONZE STAR IS BORN', This video tell the story behind the Wo...

By Jack Moreland For the seven Northern Kentucky river cities that comprise Southbank Partners, 2019 was a banner year in terms of economic growth, development, and job creation. These cities saw more than $500 million in construction, development, and infrastructure projects take place last year – the most productive year for these cities since I became president of Southbank Partners m...

Three projects currently underway or just completed in the cities of Covington, Newport, and Dayton are bringing a complete Riverfront Commons project several steps closer to reality. Riverfront Commons is the signature project of Southbank Partners, an economic development agency that is working with its partner cities – Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Fort Thomas, Newport, and Silver Grove -...

The City of Bellevue will make nearly $1 million in road and sidewalk improvements to Donnermeyer Drive – one of the city’s key transportation corridors – that will make the road and sidewalks safer, more attractive, and more pedestrian and biker friendly. OKI Regional Council of Governments recently approved $792,000 in federal funds for the project between Riviera Drive and Be...

.

NKY Riverfront Commons is a trail system meant to eventually unite all of the Northern Kentucky river cities. Go to the website below to check out the interactive maps and other great information. www.nkyriverfrontcommons.com

A Bluegrass music concert series is being held this summer in  Northern Kentucky  at Taylor Creek Park, the riverfront park on the Ohio River that straddles the boundary between the cities of Bellevue and Newport. The free concert series – known as “Kentucky Bluegrass on the Ohio River” – are held three times this summer from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The concerts are spo...

Watch as Jack Moreland of Southbank Partners provides some information about the new RT9 Licking Pike Connector and it's impact on the community.

Below is a video about the World Peace Bell

An article in the Cincinnati Enquirer explains how the 1.4-mile extension Ky.9 in Newport soon will be a boon to Newport's west side and the region. Click on the "Read More" button to read the Enquirer story.

Southbank Partners, The City of Newport and The Newport Foundation announced today the development of an exciting and vibrant new gateways to the city that features tax deductible naming rights and sponsorship opportunities.There will be 3 monuments . One at the terminus of the Taylor-Southgate Bridge. Second will be at the terminus of the Veterans Memorial Bridge (know as 4th Street Bridge) that ...

       RIVERFRONT COMMONS STORY MAP PRESS RELEASE              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 7, 2017   Media Contact: Jay Fossett                            Strategic Advisers, LLC     &...

SOUTHBANK PARTNERS TO UNVEIL RIVERFRONT COMMONS STORY MAP Southbank Partners will unveil its Riverfront Commons Story Map to a legislative committee of the Kentucky General Assembly on Wednesday morning at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center. The Story Map is an interactive, online platform that graphically tells the story of the burgeoning Ohio River trail system. Riverfront Commons is an ...

COME JOIN US FOR OUR  2017 FREE SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE WORLD PEACE BELL! SPONSORED BY: &

Please join us at the Groundbreaking Ceremony  for the first phase of the Ludlow Riverfront Commons trail TOMORROW Friday, May 5 at 10:30 AM What: We are ready to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Riverfront Commons walking & biking trail in Ludlow. Who: There will be remarks from speakers including Robert Koehler, Jack Moreland, Mike Yeager, and Mayor Ken Wynn. Where: On the ...

Great story and good news for Riverfront Commons.  Check out the Lane Report article:

Please join us at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Taylor Creek Overlook Park on Wednesday, November 30 at 1:00 PM Get ready to celebrate the completion of Taylor Creek Overlook Park.  An integral part of the Riverfront Commons project, this park stabilizes and improves the river bank area.  This park also provides a nice green area with a beautiful view of the Cincinnati skyline for...

SOUTHBANK PARTNERS RECEIVES NEARLY $10 MILLION IN FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AND PEDESTRIAN PATHS IN NEWPORT AND DAYTON   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 13, 2016 Contact: Jack Moreland President, Southbank Partners (859) 655-7700 jmoreland@southbankpartners.com   NEWPORT - Southbank Partners has received nearly $10 million in grants from the OKI Regional Council of Governments that...

CITY OF NEWPORT LAUNCH PARTY Join your friends and neighbors in a city-wide celebration of collaboration and contrasts to launch the new City of Newport logo and branding. Special Guest Kara Sewell from Fox 19 News will emcee the event. Tonight, September 21 @ 6:30 pm World Peace Bell Center, 425 York St., Newport, KY  Live Music from the Band Revolver @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Giveaways Loc...

Southbank Partners is once again a sponsor of this years' Catalytic Fund's Beyond the Curb featuring Ludlow and Covington. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:  Tara A. Johnson The Catalytic Fund 859-414-3011 | tjohnson@TheCatalyticFund.org Beyond the Curb Series Continues – Featuring Ludlow on October 9th More than 1600 registered guests from 62 zip codes ha...

Southbank partners were delighted to have the students from the Newport Schools visit the World Peace Bell yesterday to celebrate the Anniversary of the song; "The Star Spangled Banner".   We look forward to having them again next year! Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars t...

See Jack's interview with Jamie Smith on US Bank Business Watch presented by The Cincinnati Business Courier. Jack is talking about KY RT 9 and Riverfront Commons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr9xSU2V-JM&index=47&list=PL2iHjuJqukyb9DDD7BnuQMb-yasnp-206

SOUTHBANK PARTNERS HONORED WITH TRAIL OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR RIVERFRONT COMMONS PROJECT For immediate release September 1,2016 Contact: Jack Moreland President, Southbank Partners jmoreland@southbankpartners.com 859-655-7700 NEWPORT - Southbank Partners has been honored with the 2016 Trail Project of the Year award for the Riverfront Commons Project at the Regional Trails Summit at the ...

See a story about the success of Red Bikes: http://urbn.cc/p6oi

RIVERFRONT COMMONS HELPED ATTRACT MAJOR EMPLOYER TO COVINGTON By Jack Moreland Last week Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin made the exciting announcement that CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services, a global company providing therapeutic expertise to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, will relocate its headquarters with a $36.4 million investment projected to create up to 500 Kentucky-r...

NEWPORT FIRE / EMS DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE August 18th, 2016 The Newport Fire/EMS Department would like to issue the following media release.  Any questions or comments should be directed to Fire Chief Bill Darin or Administrative Assistant Barb Heck at (859) 292-3616 . Subject: 15th Anniversary 9/11 Memorial Service Date/Time:              ...

TAYLOR CREEK UPDATED PHOTOS.

SWINGING AT THE BELL CONCERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17TH,  DUE TO THE WEATHER.  HOPING TO RESCHEDULE - TBA.

Take a look at the progress of the Taylor Creek Project.  This is the culvert between Joe's Crab Shack and the Chart House. See videos below: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDxRfvFHyNs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWsLSU8G4IU

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2016 Contact: Jack Moreland President, Southbank Partners (859) 655-7700 jmoreland@southbankpartners.com   SOUTHBANK PARTNERS READY TO ASSIST COMMUNITIES CONNECT TO KENTUCKYWIRED   NEWPORT, Ky. - Southbank Partners wants to help Northern Kentucky get wired.   Southbank Partners recently hosted a presentation by operators of KentuckyWi...

WORLD PEACE BELL CALENDAR 2016   MAY 18                     SUMMER CONCERT “SWINGING AT THE BELL”         7-9 PM                      ...

Throughout the year there are different special events and memorial services that take place at The World Peace Bell Center.  This is when the "Bell" is swung!   Check our event page for these events. Southbank Partners is open M-F from 10am-4pm for anyone that would like to observe the "Peace  Bell" from the Bridge or would like to get additional information or have questions abou...

Southbank Partners is happy to be a sponsor again this year of The Catalytic Fund’s “Beyond the Curb” featuring our River Cities of Bellevue and Dayton.  Make sure you save the date APRIL 24, 2016, from 10 A.M. until 4 P.M.    Come and see what these two River Cities in the Urban Core have to offer. The Catalytic Fund presents the third event in it...

SOUTHBANK PARTNERS PROGRESS REPORT OCTOBER 2015 Beginning a document about successful grant writing by highlighting progress on road construction may seem odd.  However, Rt. 9 is such an integral part of the revitalization for our urban core; it would be unconceivable to discuss our successes without mentioning it. Rt. 9: The initial phase of Rt. 9 is currently under construction. ...

Inside Northern Kentucky, "Top Stories From the Top of Kentucky", will be the first ever programmed on our home region  to appear on KET.  A production of the KY Center for Public Service Journalism, the nonprofit publisher of the NKYTribune, the program will tell "top Stories from the Top of Kentucky" This first program features Southbank Partners and the Newport renaissance; Tim Han...

WHEN:  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015  - 1:00 PM TO 2:00 PM WHERE: COVINGTON LANDING, 2 MADISON AVE, COVINGTON, KY On September 22, Governor Steve Beshear and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) officials announced the award of $5.4 million in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds to improve safety and air quality in Northern Kentucky. Please join two of Southbank's River...

STATEMENT FROM SOUTHBANK PARTNERS PRESIDENT JACK MORELAND ON GRANTS FOR COVINGTON AND DAYTON ANNOUNCED BY GOV. BESHEAR “It’s a grand day for our river cities. With the grants announced today by Gov. Beshear, we are able to put more pieces in place for additional phases of Riverfront Commons, the nearly 12-mile walking and biking path being developed along Northern Kentucky’s riv...

Interim Joint Committee on Licensing and Occupations Agenda Meeting No. 4               DATE:                                       Friday Se...

Newport Fire/EMS 9/11 Memorial Service                Friday, September 11th at 10:00am   For Immediate Release – Newport, KY   The Newport Fire/EMS will be hosting a 9/11 Memorial Service on Friday, September 11th at 10:00am at the Northern Kentucky Firefighters Memorial by The World Peace Bell at 4th and Y...

During the All Star Baseball weekend the World Peace Bell Center will have extended hours. July 10th -     9:00am - 8:00pm July 11th -     1:00pm - 7:00pm July 12th -     1:00pm - 7:00pm July 13th -      9:00am - 8:00pm July 14th -      9:00am - 8:00pm

NEWPORT, LUDLOW WILL SPEND $1.6 MILLION FOR RIVERFRONT COMMONS FROM OKI  Southbank Partners assisted cities in securing funding     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2015     The Northern Kentucky cities of Newport and Ludlow will spend $1.6 million on the next two phases of Riverfront Commons, the nearly 12 mile walking and biking path being developed along Northern K...

RED BIKE LAUNCHES IN COVINGTON   Covington – Red Bike will open 6 new bike share stations in Covington, Kentucky June 24th.  They are part of Red Bike’s expansion into Northern Kentucky.  Red Bike is the first public bike share system in Kentucky.  Mayor Sherry Carran will lead the launch of the newest and most fun way to get around Covington.   Red Bike...

Grants Training in Newport, KY  -  August 10-11, 2015 Southbank Partners and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Newport, August 10-11, 2015.  This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines.  Attend this class and you'll learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals. ...

SOUTHBANK PARTNERS SPRING NEWSLETTER Route 9  Work has started on the rebuilding of KY Route 9, a nearly $40 million project that will dramatically improve access into downtown Newport. The 1.5 mile project will provide direct access from Interstate- 275 in Wilder along the AA Highway/KY Route 9 through Newport’s west side and into downtown Newport, culminating at the ...

                                  NORTHERN KENTUCKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER WITH BLUEGRASS INTERNATIONAL FUND TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT Southbank, Catalytic Fund working with EB-5 Regional Center FOR IMMEDIATE RE...

Southbank Partners hosted a meeting of the 6 River City  Leaders, business owners, residents and Jason Barron, Executive Director, of Red Bike.  Jason shared the success of the Red Bike Share Program in Cincinnati that already has 30 Stations and the system works.   It’s a convenient, low cost, healthy and green transportation system.  It is designed for short, point...

Taylor Creek Culvert is located between the Chart House Restaurant and Joe's Crab Shack Restaurant.  This area has substantial deterioration.  Severe erosion around the outlet of the culvert has occurred, requiring modifications to the culvert's discharge location.  When this project is complete, it will stabilize and improve the river bank area and will become a very nice green are...

Groundbreaking today for the $80 million residential, hospitality, retail and parking development planned by Capital Investment Group for lot B near Newport on the Levee.  Newport on the Levee.

9/11 Memorial Service:   The Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association and the Newport Fire/ EMS Departments would like to invite the public in joining them in remembering the tragic loss and heroic events of September 11, 2001.   The 9/11 Memorial Service will be Thursday, September 11, 2014 at 9am at the World Peace Bell site at 4th & York Streets by the Northern Kentucky Fire...

What a great day! Southbank Partners Board of Director, Roger Peterman, started the program and introduced the keynote speakers: Mayor of Newport, Jerry Peluso, Chief Engineer of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 6, Rob Hans, and State House Representative, Dennis Keene.    Mayor of Newport, Jerry Peluso, said  "You have to have teamwork to win and that's exactly what this ...

Ribbon cutting/dedication for first leg of Riverfront Commons in Newport; new walking bridge connects Newport on the Levee and the Purple People Bridge to flood wall walking path     Wednesday, June 18, 9:30 a.m.     Officials from Southbank Partners, The City of Newport, The Kentucky General Assembly and the State of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will formally dedicate...

Check out Jack's interview with Channel 12's Paula Toti. Aired on the 11 pm news Tuesday, May 12th.  http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/riverfront-plans-expand-into-six-communities-11666.shtml#.U3S-zEpZSWE.email  

SOUTHBANK PARTNERS INTRODUCES  “THE SOUTH BANK QUARTET”. South Bank Quartet is a superb string quartet made up of professional musicians that teach at The Northern Kentucky School of Music of Immanuel UMC: Madina Akhatova-Malley - Violinist,Teacher, Mozart/Beethoven Strings Co-Director, Conductor Concert Strings. Evan Hurley - Violinist, Teacher, Mozart/Beethoven Strings...

2014 KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION HOUSE BILL 237 SUCCESSES FOR Southbank Partners RIVER CITIES Pedestrian/Bike Trail - $481,600 for fiscal year 2015 for work on the trail along the Ohio River through the cities of Ludlow, Covington, Newport, and Bellevue.  This trail is part of the Riverfront Commons Project. Route 9 – $730,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $2,170,000 in fiscal year ...

Read the latest article in The Enquirer about our Riverfront Commons Project.  Project intended to link our 6 River Cities: Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Ft Thomas, Ludlow, and Newport. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/03/24/southbank-partners-riverfront-commons-trail-river-cities-hiking-biking-tourism/6838685/  

Southbank Partners Receive Tourism Award  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 18, 2014   Contact: Jack Moreland President, Southbank Partners 859-655-7700  NEWPORT, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky Convention & Visitors Bureau presented its Star of Tourism award to Southbank Partners at its annual meeting Thursday, March 13, 2014.   The Star of Tourism, which NKCVB sta...

The City of Newport and Newport Schools has been awarded a $250,000 Safe Routes to School Grant.The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet granted the funds to the city and school district and a plan will take shape under the management of Southbank Partners, which helped with the grant application.Southbank Partners President Jack Moreland announced the grant on Wednesday, February 17th. “We submitted ...

Riverfront Commons Project has started in Newport on Riverboat Row!

Duke Energy has awarded a $10,000 grant to Southbank Partners that will support development of The Taylor Creek Overlook, a new riverfront park planned in Northern Kentucky. Taylor Creek Overlook is being developed on land between Riverboat Row and KY Route 8 on the Newport/Bellevue line. The park will feature an overlook plaza with sculptures, benches and telescopes along with trees and underbru...

Demolition has begun at the future site of the Monmouth Row Apartments.  Newport, KY

In honor of military POWs and MIAs.  The event in its 4th year locally is a send-off ceremony for dozens of local participants, as well as a way for those who can't participate in the national event ride to Washington, D.C.

SOUTHBANK PARTNERS NEWSLETTER - JUNE, 2013   INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE   Work is close to beginning on the Taylor Creek Culvert Extension project. The culvert will be extended under KY Route 8 and Riverboat Row to the Ohio River. Plans call for development of a park on the land on top of the culvert. Taylor Creek Overlook, which will be developed on land between Riverboat Row...