GREAT NEWS FOR SOUTHBANK CITIES

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 will be used for street improvements and pedestrian paths in the Southbank Partners cities of Newport and Dayton.

The City of Newport will receive $5.39 million to improve the area around the 11th Street Underpass over Monmouth Street and $3.8 million for improvements on Monmouth Street south of the Underpass. In addition, the City of Dayton received $646,760 for continued development of Riverfront Commons, an 11-mile public walk-and-bikeway path connecting Northern Kentucky’s river cities that is the brainchild of Southbank Partners.

All told, the two Southbank Partners cities received $9.8 million The funds were allocated through the Surface Transportation Program for Northern Kentucky (SNK).

Southbank Partners President Jack Moreland said winning approval of the grants was a team effort. He credited Southbank Partners grant writers Robert Yoder and Henley McInthosh as well as former Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Sr. – who now oversees the Newport’s Neighborhood Foundations housing authority – and his son, Newport City Commissioner Tom Guidugli Jr., for maintaining focus on the Monmouth Street projects. Guidugli Sr. began pushing for the project more than a decade ago while serving as mayor. His son has continued to advocate for funding for the street improvements and repairs, which will signifcantly improve safety and traffic flows through the area.

“Like everything we do at Southbank, this was a true team effort,” Moreland said. “For nearly two decades Southbank Partners has been a driving force in the successful riverfront development and infrastructure improvement of our partner cities. These projects will continue to improve the quality, safety and convenience of life for those who live, visit and work in the Southbank Partners cities.”

OKI is a council of local governments, business organizations and community groups committed to developing collaborative strategies, plans and programs to improve the quality of life and the economic development potential of the Tri-State.

“These projects form a comprehensive network that will improve the region’s economy and quality of life,” said OKI CEO Mark Policinski. “They solve important roadway problems while also funding transportation options like bike and pedestrian paths, which communities consider a must-have rather than a nice-to-have. The environment, economy and safety of our region will be advanced by these wise expenditures.”

About Southbank Partners, Inc.

Southbank Partners is a coalition of government, business and community leaders in the Northern Kentucky Ohio River cities of Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton, Ludlow and Fort Thomas. For more information, visit www.SouthbankPartners.com.