LINK Kenton Reader - Volume 3, Issue 25 - May 16, 2025
SOLVING NKY’S HOUSING SHORTAGE
By Meghan Goth
Zoning. Affordable housing. Adaptive reuse. Alternative funding.
These are all ways that organizations, companies and people across Northern Kentucky are working to find a way to fill the need for more than 6,600 housing units in the region in the next five years.
There’s one thing, though, that anyone can do to begin creating an environment that allows enough housing for everyone, according to Covington residents Scott Banford and Melissa Kelley. That one thing is a cultural shift to embrace living among people who are different from them, including people with different income levels.
“We need more buy-in from people around the community,” Banford said. “We need more YIMBY.” (That acronym, a play on
NIMBY, or Not in My Back Yard, stands for Yes in My Back Yard.)
Banford and Kelley moved to Covington in 2022 from New York City, where they lived for 25 years, to be closer to Kelley’s sister, who also lives in Covington. The couple rehabbed and moved into a home in Covington’s Eastside neighborhood.
Then, Kelley said, “we wanted to get involved, because that’s just who we are.”
Our region, according to a housing strategies report released in January, lacks sufficient housing for young adults forming their first household; for essential workers like nurses, teachers and first responders; and for older adults. A teacher with a median annual income of $43,740, for example, can afford only 26% of the rental and 16% of the for-sale housing in the region, the report says. For a restaurant server, only 1%
of the region’s rental housing is affordable.
An older person relying on Social Security can also afford only 1% of rental housing in the region, according to the report.
The report, called Home for All: Northern Kentucky Housing Strategies, came to be thanks to more than 90 leaders and experts from across NKY who spent hours studying the region and its urgent housing challenge. Their goal was to close the housing gap across income levels and provide a
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Northern Kentucky’s
PRESIDENT & CEO Lacy Starling
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Meghan Goth
SPORTS EDITOR Evan Dennison
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With the region in need of 6,650 additional housing units in the next five years in order to support the region’s growth, the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, along with Brighton Center and those 90 leaders, put together a menu of strategies to “provide a starting point for officials and other stakeholders to create residential opportunities in their communities.” The menu includes things like proactive code enforcement, a regional housing trust fund, creative zoning approaches and small developer support.
‘Can’t be just one group’
The first goal, said Tara Johnson-Noem, executive director of the area development district, was to create a resource that can truly meet a regional need and look – because the things that would create more housing in each county, city and block look different depending on where one goes.
“It’s not going to be a one-size-fits-all kind of thing,” Johnson-Noem said. “The idea is that communities, nonprofits and employers can pull down ideas that are placebased but yet still broad enough to meet the needs of smaller communities, larger communities, rural communities, more urban or suburban communities, and everything in between.”
The idea wasn’t ever to come up with one large idea that would solve everything. That’s because, Johnson-Noem said, that’s not possible. Every community has different needs, so the menu exists to provide resources for the broad range of issues that particular community wants to address.
“There are so many components that go into our residential housing stock and where it is,” Johnson-Noem said. “It’s meant to be a more tactical toolkit or guide of, ‘What’s the problem that you’re solving for today?’ ‘Who are you?’ ‘Great. Here’s some options for you.’”
Who puts the ideas into motion?
“It can’t be just one group,” Johnson-Noem said. “I think having an awareness amongst our employers that this is a challenge for their employers, or even just attracting CEO-level talent and entry-level talent and everything in between.”
It’s also critical for nonprofits, local governments and residents themselves to look at ways they can contribute to the bigger picture of creating more housing in the region.
Which is where people like Covington’s Banford and Kelley come in. They started by finding out if there was a neighborhood organization, and, when there wasn’t, she decided she wanted to be part of starting one.
“We got together the leaders and the elders of the neighborhood and created a diverse group of people who had some sort of history and authority already,” Kelley said.
‘A willingness to listen’
The Eastside neighborhood is ripe for this kind of community involvement and dedication to a diverse population, Kelley said, because the neighborhood is already full of YIMBYs.
“We are fortunate in the city government we have right now because there is an openness and willingness to listen, and
there is diversity,” Kelley said. “It is just full of people who are anxious to get this done. So here again we have this ripe situation where all it needed was a catalyst – someone to say this is important to us.”
Kelley and Banford then started having conversations. They met with Mayor Ron Washington. They met with people from the city’s Neighborhood Services Department, which oversees programs to improve the appearance of communities and enhance the quality of life in Covington.
Working to chip away at the housing crisis in NKY, Kelley said, is all about communication and collaboration. “It’s good to have these conversations and to keep communicating,” she said. “And then we communicate to the neighborhood, and they feel like things are happening. And that there’s hope.”
Banford said many people think the only way to address housing in NKY is through access and leverage. “And it’s not,” he said. “It’s about relationships.”
In the midst of some of those conversations, Kelley and Banford learned that there were plans to build market-rate housing on a few open lots near their home on Pleasant Street.
“We said we’d rather have some diversity going on over there,” Kelley said. “Something affordable or at least a mix.”
When Banford and Kelley moved into their home, Kelley said, they found out that they had displaced people who now needed a place to live. “That was kind of an eye opener for us, and we wanted to do something about it,” she said.
The vacant lot across the street from Scott Banford and Melissa Kelley's home on Pleasant Street in Covington. Provided | Melissa Kelley
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So they had more conversations.
“We discussed this in neighborhood meetings and in subsequent conversations,” Kelley said. “We made it clear that we don’t want to start with market-rate housing in this neighborhood.”
People actually listened. Kelley and Banford are in continuous conversations with the city and various groups, all of whom are interested in building housing that aligns more with the needs in Covington.
‘Comfortable with diversity’
“How can we work together so we can both meet the goals that we have set before us,” Banford said. “The city wants to spend money to increase housing. The neighborhood is interested in neighborhood unity and resilience.”
How did Banford and Kelley come to have this mindset? Kelley thinks part of it might have been their New York City experience.
“I’m trying to think about, before I lived in New York City, how I would have thought about this,” Kelley said. “But living in New York and being exposed to so many different people has really opened my eyes and made me very comfortable with diversity. You learn there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
The more people segregate themselves, Kelley said, the more suspicious they are of other populations.
“I remember when I first moved there, I would be terrified if I found myself alone in Harlem,” Kelley said. “But then my daughter moved there and lived there alone and thrived.”
In the end, Johnson-Noem said, it’s going to take work from people across the community to make a lasting change.
“I think that’s the really hard thing, because everybody would love to say, this is the thing or this is the group” that will solve the housing shortage in NKY, Johnson-Noem said.
The current housing situation in NKY has developed over the last decade or two, Johnson-Noem said, “so it’s gonna take a minute to see changes…. This is about changing mindsets long-term.”
This LINK nky super issue explores some of the ways people in our community have put these ideas into action in four areas: zoning, adaptive reuse, affordable housing and alternative funding. Some solutions are huge endeavors built over years with the help of many; others are the work of a single resident who just wanted to do something.
We hope these stories inform and inspire you to find a way to get involved in making room for everyone in our community.
The vacant lot across the street from Scott Banford and Melissa Kelley's home on Pleasant Street in Covington. Photos provided | Melissa Kelley
A vacant lot on the 300 block of Pleasant Street.
By Annie Hammock
Curb appeal probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the phrase affordable housing.
Maggie Whitfield’s plum-painted brick shotgun, though, could grace the cover of any home magazine. White molding frames the front door and window, and the postage-sized front yard is surrounded by a charming wrought iron fence.
The 34-year-old elementary school teacher calls the house near Monmouth Street in Newport her “blessing.”
“I still feel so proud and happy every time I walk into my house,” Whitfield said. “It’s a really special feeling to have something that is your own.”
Whitfield purchased the three-bedroom, two-bathroom property through a program run by Neighborhood Foundations, one of many nonprofit agencies helping people in Northern Kentucky find housing they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.
The need is considerable. There is such a shortage of income-aligned housing in the region, several advocates call it a crisis. Even those who hesitate over the word acknowledge there is a problem.
“I think it feels like a crisis to people who
Local leaders’ goal: A home for all
can’t find a place that works for them to live,” said Tara Johnson-Noem, executive director of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District. That organization conducted a study that found a severe shortage of housing units available for people with incomes at or below 80% of the median.
Workforce job creation is outpacing workforce housing in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. “In the next 5 years, there will be a need for 1,860 additional one- and
two-bedroom units for low- and moderate-income [households] (monthly housing costs $500-$1,500) and about 500 units for very low-income households (monthly housing costs below $320),” the study says.
A companion report by the development district and Brighton Center/Brighton Properties notes housing isn’t keeping up with an increase in job opportunities in Northern Kentucky. The Home for All report specifically mentions “eds and meds” workers such as teachers and home health
care personnel. “These jobs are increasingly central to urban locations,” it says.
Another troubled sector is “low wage new economy jobs,” such as retail and hospitality. They account for more than 24% of positions in Northern Kentucky, a “ratio higher than … average.”
The development district study lays out a menu of strategies to address the imbalance, including homeownership assistance programs. One of those, run by Neighborhood Foundations in Newport, is what helped Whitfield buy a house of her own.
She was having difficulty finding anything in her price range that wasn’t “falling apart.”
“I was, like, ‘I could buy this, but then I don’t have any income to fix it up,’” Whitfield said.
Then Whitfield saw a brochure for Neighborhood Foundations at her school. She met all of the qualifications, which included having a below-average income and being a Newport resident.
The wait for a house can be as long as a year, but Whitfield was on the waiting list for only four months when the organization called with something to show her. “The moment I walked in, without even going through the house, I was, like, ‘Sold,’” Whitfield said.
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Maggie Whitfield on her porch with her dog, Lulu. Provided | Elle Rinehard
Explore
The home is one of many fixer-uppers that Neighborhood Foundations has purchased. The renovation includes hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances.
“The amenities we put in are not the bottom of the barrel,” said Tracie Joyner, Neighborhood Foundation’s deputy director. She said affordable housing was once the “lowest of the lows,” but the organization is trying to make its homes “look like any other place that you would rent” or buy on the market.
“Everything that we have, pretty much, are single family houses and duplexes that are scattered throughout the city,” Joyner said. “So you don’t know, unless someone wants you to know, that it’s assisted housing.”
Rental options, too
In addition to ownership assistance, the organization helps place people in rentals. One property, co-managed with Brighton Center, is reserved for single parents seeking a college degree.
Michaela Bettis lives in a three-bedroom apartment in the Lincoln Grant Scholar House, a former school built in the 1930s to serve Covington’s African-American community. Prior to moving in, Bettis lived in public housing in Cincinnati’s Lincoln Heights.
“I didn’t want my children to grow up with that sort of lifestyle, or to befriend somebody that was just a little bit more prone to get into trouble,” she said.
Bettis’ apartment is filled with color. A multihued blanket drapes over the back of a green couch, highlighted by yellow pillows. A Gustav Klimt print leans against one wall, and other works of art dot the kitchen, office area and bedrooms. These are the creations of her children: Jamia, 8, Juwan, 6, and Julian, 5.
While her children draw and paint, Bettis studies. She is enrolled at Gateway Community & Technical College and is ready to start at Northern Kentucky University in the fall of 2026, aiming for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. She wants to be a lawyer.
“I want to do the prosecutor side,” Bettis said. “I feel like I could potentially help
more people on that side. I would prefer to focus on the family part and juvenile parts.”
Bettis likes rules. Particularly the rules she and other tenants must abide by at the scholar house.
“We’re not supposed to have overnight guests; no partners are to stay here or other family members,” she said. “They can be a distraction and possibly put you off track.”
Other local organizations that help people find rentals they can afford include Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, Brighton Center and the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission.
The Community Action Commission helped 55-year-old Air Force veteran Cyrus Hensley find a place to call his own. He was on a waiting list for eight months. In the meantime, he stayed at Welcome Home Gardens, a shelter for unhoused veterans.
“It’s close quarters,” he said. “There’s very little privacy.”
Still, living at the shelter had its benefits, including an introduction to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.
Hensley, who sustained a serious injury while lifting an airplane engine and is now disabled, hasn’t lived on his own since 1997. He just moved into a studio apartment on Eastern Avenue in Covington and set up his easel. He likes to paint acrylics of “out there kinds of things,” such as his own versions of tarot cards.
He said he’s excited to have “no one else there but me.”
Hensley credits the action commission with keeping him working at various jobs around the area. Without assistance, though, he would not be able to afford even the studio apartment.
Need at all levels
Rhonda Chisenhall, the NKCAC’s vice president of community development, isn’t a fan of the phrase “affordable housing.” She prefers “income-aligned housing.”
“When people hear the term affordable housing, they think of low-income housing, and that’s not necessarily what we’re
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Michaela Bettis and her three children live in the Lincoln Grant Scholar House in Covington. Photos provided | Emory Davis
Cyrus Hensley, a disabled veteran, said that, without assistance, he wouldn’t be able to afford his studio apartment.
Jamia Bettis looks at her artwork.
talking about, because there’s families at all levels of income that need housing, and there’s a housing shortage,” Chisenhall said.
The Home for All report’s menu of strategies includes suggestions for planning and zoning that would “address the rise in demand for missing middle housing units by exploring ways to reduce development costs and barriers.”
That will be challenging as construction costs skyrocket. Real estate broker Jim Schack said construction costs that once averaged $100 per square foot have doubled. “You’re looking at the baseline to build at around $200 per square feet, and, depending on your options and how you want it, maybe $250 per square foot to buy a new construction house,” he said.
That’s pushing up the cost of existing housing as well.
“Just earlier this week,” Schack said, “I listed a house out in Alexandria. Now, it’s a nice brick ranch on a one-acre lot. It’s a nice house, and it’s listed at $375,000, and it would have been, not too long ago, that house would have been listed at $275,000.”
Tom Guidugli, director of Neighborhood Foundations, said many of the assisted housing programs available in Northern Kentucky are centered in Newport and Covington, which attract those in need from across the region. “We’re overloaded,” he said.
The organization’s Section 8 vouchers range from Bellevue to Fort Thomas, and there are project-based vouchers in Highland Heights, but 95% of the housing it offers is in Newport.
Professionals feel the pinch
NKCAC operates several income-aligned communities in Florence, Crittenden and Covington. “So that’s providing housing for families with moderate income levels, and their rent is based on their income,” Chisenhall said.
Northern Kentucky is not on track to have enough housing stock to meet the needs of the population, she said. “There’s lots of developments, new housing, but it tends to be more upper level, expensive housing, as opposed to that which the majority of families can afford.”
The average home costs more than what police officers, firemen, teachers and the like can afford, Chisenhall said. “They have professional jobs, but there is still a lack of housing that is truly affordable to them.”
That means some people are falling through the cracks.
“There’s a lot of people that, you know, are what we call crowd surfing,” Chisenhall said. “So, they’re staying with friends or family until they get housing.”
At the end of the day, she said, everybody wants the same thing for their family: to have a roof over their head and to be able to provide for their children in a safe environment.
“When you don’t have that, then that puts the rest of your life in turmoil,” Chisenhall said. “You’re stressed about that and that’s going to impact every aspect of your life. Having a nice, safe home for your family helps alleviate that stress so you can focus on other things.”
The Area Development District’s study was designed to address the housing shortage and identify where the gaps are in the existing housing stock. “About 50% of the employers that we polled responded that they felt like housing was holding them back from attracting and retaining workers,” Johnson-Noem said.
The study also found household size is shrinking and that a growing number of seniors are looking to move into smaller, single-level homes. “We have a strong need for one- and two-bedroom units at a variety of price points,” Johnson-Noem said.
Farther away is cheaper
Both she and Schack recommend that people looking for income-aligned housing expand their geographical search. “If you can’t find something in this particular area, we have so many beautiful communities around Kentucky and homes across the river as well,” Johnson-Noem said.
One tip Schack had: The further you get from the city, the more you get for your money.
“If you go out to Pendleton County, Bracken County, Grant County, if you’re willing to drive a bit, you can get a little more for your money and you’re less likely to be in a bidding war,” he said.
Of course, for many people who need housing assistance, transportation is an issue. Hensley doesn’t have a car and usually walks or takes a bus. Bettis and Whitfield do have their own transportation but prefer living in a more urban area that allows them to walk to school and work. Both live within blocks of their jobs.
“I save a lot of money on gas because I walk to school now,” Whitfield said. “When I get done with school, I’m home in five minutes. That’s awesome.”
Whitfield has advised several of her colleagues to look into assisted housing programs and to do what they can to save for a down payment. In return for help with her own down payment, Whitfield agreed to stay in her home for 10 years.
Whitfield said she really doesn’t care about any perceived stigma about living in affordable housing. “I just want to encourage people not to be embarrassed or not to feel a certain way about accessing these programs,” she said, “because that’s why these programs were created.”
Whitfield said that, without Neighborhood Foundations, she’d probably still be in her old, “buggy” apartment, just making do.
“I was just doing what I could,” she said, “but this afforded me what’s been a great investment. I just think there should be no stigma, no embarrassment.”
Maggie Whitfield on her porch. Provided | Elle Rinehard
Matt Mains stood before the Kenton County Planning Commission in September.
Mains, a development manager with Drees Homes, was seeking a zoning change that would allow for a development with homes priced between $350,000 and $550,000. He responded to pushback from commissioners, who felt the prices seemed too steep.
“Right now it’s nearly impossible to build affordable housing for what affordable housing costs,” Mains said.
The average construction cost of a typical single-family home in the United States last year was $428,215, according to a 2024 survey from the National Association of Homebuilders, which sampled about 400 home builders around the country and compared it to census data. That’s about $162 per square foot.
“The cost of construction per square foot was $80 in 2011, $95 in 2013, $103 in 2015, $86 in 2017, $114 in 2019, and $153 in 2022,” according to the survey’s analysis. (Note: The figures from previous years have not been adjusted for inflation).
With construction costs that high, the only way home builders can turn a profit is to in-
vest in large, high-price projects marketed to affluent buyers.
At the same time, much of the nation is reeling from a shortage in smaller, socalled starter homes and rental properties that working and middle class families can afford. More and more, housing experts in the region are concluding that market mechanisms alone cannot address the housing problem.
The problem is, what’s the alternative? What can cities, counties and other institutions do to either encourage affordable development or help working and middle-class people access shelter without destroying their finances?
Alternative funding
Besides housing that’s publicly owned, the primary alternative to conventional, market-driven development employs some form of subsidized funding to defray the cost of development. Often these take the form of tax credits.
One of the most well-known credits is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, or LIHTC, a federal tax credit created through the Tax Reform Act of 1986. These credits are allocated every year through state and local agencies and are specifically aimed at buying, building or rehabilitating rental prop-
erties for tenants living below 60% of the area’s median income.
There currently are 54 LIHTC complexes sporting a combined total of 2,825 low-income units in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That’s more than a quarter less per capita than the number of LIHTC properties in Hamilton County.
Applying for a federal home-building subsidy is complex and onerous. Many conventional developers will simply avoid dealing with it for fear of falling out of compliance with the law. As a result, specialized nonprofit developers trained in subsidy compliance often take the reins in developing subsidized, low-income housing or housing aimed at renters who receive federal housing choice vouchers (known more commonly as Section 8 vouchers).
One of those nonprofits is Neighborhood Investment Partners in Covington. It’s officially independent but is affiliated with the city. It owns 132 housing units.
Neighborhood Investment Partners was founded by the city and the Housing Authority of Covington specifically to develop affordable housing and keep it affordable long-term. Brandon Holmes, Covington’s director of neighborhood services and a former HUD fellow, serves as the nonprofit’s chairman.
Despite its name, the housing authori-
ty manages all publicly owned housing in Kenton County. Neighborhood Investment Partners’ footprint doesn’t extend beyond Covington, though.
LIHTC is one of several funding vehicles that Neighborhood Investment Partners uses to ensure affordability.
“There’s a cadre of resources,” Holmes said. “Local governments can get creative and create subsidy pools, if they want to, to drive down interest costs, loan loss reserve pools. You can use some of the federal resources to do that. So, it really all depends on what your community needs, what the strategy is, and if you have the political support and long-term vision to buy in.”
Catalytic Fund tackles ‘hard stuff’
For more regional efforts, you have to look to community development financial institutions. These are federally designated nonprofits that invest in properties that wouldn’t otherwise be bankrolled through conventional banks. The primary community development financial institution in Northern Kentucky is the Catalytic Fund.
The fund was started in 2008 but wasn’t fully capitalized until 2012. Today, the fund contains roughly $32 million – supplied by both federal grants and private investors – which the organization lends to projects that CEO Jeanne Schroer described as the “really hard stuff.” Any money the fund makes on project investment is channeled back into the fund for future projects.
Schroer pointed to the Kent Lofts rehabilitation in Bellevue as a project the fund has invested in.
“Our developer client, he had a plan to convert that into 66 housing units,” Schroer said. “We really loved that plan. The units are not subsidized, but they are affordable in that 80% of [area median income] range. If you’re focusing on housing, you know that that is a huge demand for that type of housing in the region. So, we really wanted to support this project.”
Challenges with the property, though, made it practically radioactive to conventional lenders. For one thing, the developer wanted to turn the property quickly, even though the building was an old warehouse, meaning it would have to go through environmental studies, zoning changes and a lot of capital investment to get it up to modern residential standards. Plus, there was the question of affordability: How would the developer ensure the property would remain affordable given the current market pressures, not to mention peculiarities of the building itself?
“This is where we provide what we call our development services and assist the developer with figuring everything out, particularly in helping him acquire the primary financing,” Schroer said.
The fund helped the developer get buy-in from the county, school district and city to support a zoning change. It also helped the property get on the National Register of Historic Places so it could qualify for historic tax credits. In the end, the fund gave the developer a loan to purchase the property, something that likely would not have happened had the developer gone to a traditional bank.
Yet, there’s a limitation to the Catalytic Fund’s reach. Though it does invest in affordable housing, it does not have a specific program dedicated to affordable development, and there’s no guarantee the properties it invests in will end up with affordable units.
A model in Cincinnati?
A community development financial institution across the river, the Cincinnati Development Fund, could serve as a model to emulate. It functions similarly to the
Catalytic Fund, but it has a program dedicated specifically to the construction of affordable housing. Called the Affordable Housing Leverage Fund, it provided roughly $75 million in investment to 54 projects, comprising about 1,800 income-restricted units, in the fund’s service area between September 2022 and September 2024.
Over the past 10 years, said Luke Blocher, the fund’s chief strategic officer and lead counsel, the organization has funded projects in Cincinnati proper as well as the city’s suburbs.
Blocher gave an example of how a project ensures its units stay affordable.
“There’s something on the property recorded against the property that says – and any low income housing tax credit would have this – the units in this building have to be rented to people who are income verified at this income level, and the rents are set to a level that won’t exceed 30% of the average income of [a] person under a formula that comes out of the federal government,” Blocher said.
Since banks aren’t incentivized to invest in properties where potential profits are legally curtailed, a dedicated fund through a CDFI could function as an alternative because it could cushion a builder or owner against development expenses.
Blocher said it was important to distinguish the projects that he described above, which are bound by federal strictures, to housing that’s simply more reasonably priced than other units. This can be confusing because both of these categories are often referred to as “affordable housing.” This is especially true when governments and institutions are considering ways to attack the problem.
“There’s a really important, incredibly important sort of difference between… traditional capital A, capital H affordable housing, what people are talking about in that setting, and let’s call it affordable, attainable workforce housing,” Blocher said, “which is, we just want to have housing that is at rents that are not all luxury, can be more attainable, reasonable for the different folks in our market, but it’s not necessarily because there’s this specific income restriction. It’s just that they’re set up to be a different sort of class of product and targeting a different rent rate.
“That’s a different thing, and there’s different sorts of approaches to try to get at that, but that becomes a very important choice that guides what something like an affordable housing fund would do.”
Other alternatives
Development costs are only one part of the picture, though, and the concerns of many working and middle class people focus less on the cost of building and more on the cost of living. This is especially true for renters, because the money they spend on housing isn’t building wealth in the form of equity. It’s a fee for using the space.
Still, home ownership isn’t right for ev-
eryone. Maybe you don’t have cash flow to maintain the property. Or maybe you have some kind of physical limitation that would prevent you from taking on the responsibility of maintaining a home, even if you’re gainfully employed.
One organization in Cincinnati called Renting Partnerships offers a glimpse into what co-founder Margery Spinney characterized as a “third option,” through which people who are renting can build a financial safety net before taking on the risks of homeownership.
“That is what most low-income people need,” Spinney said. “What they need first
A rendering of what the Kent Lofts would become.
The building that would become the Kent Lofts in Bellevue prior to its rehab. Photos provided | Catalytic Fund
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before buying a house is to be financially stable.”
Rental Partnerships operates on what’s called a rental co-op model. The organization, Spinney said, has actually changed forms several times, but it’s always focused around community management of properties while attempting to provide financial stability for its residents.
Rental Partnerships’ footprint is small; the nonprofit owns only 16 units, mostly in Cincinnati’s Avondale neighborhood. Some of the properties were, in fact, purchased with a loan from the Cincinnati Development Fund. To live in one of those units, tenants sign a contract in which they agree to rent their unit for five years, contribute to the overall upkeep of both their own property and other properties in the community and attend a monthly community resident meeting (and pay their rent on time, of course). In exchange, residents earn financial credit over time. The amount they earn varies, but Spinney said the credit usually evens out to about $10,000 over a 10-year period.
“How do you build equity if you don’t own a house?” Spinney asked. “Well, here’s a way we can do it.”
The details of the model have changed with the organization, Spinney said.
“In this original iteration, we were simply a management program, and [the residents] could use that money to pay rent, they could use it to pay off debt, they could do other things,” Spinney said. “They could invest it and take it out and invest it in something else. They could pay for a car. They could do whatever they needed to do to help them remain stable and to put themselves in a better financial situation.”
By keeping the residents actively engaged in maintaining the rentals, the organization managed to save enough money to provide the residents with financial credits.
“I did this for 10 years in Over-the-Rhine when we were managing other people’s property and we had about 59 units,” Spinney said. “What we found was that, with the residents’ engagement in the management system and their commitment to stay for
five years at a minimum, we saved enough money on the turnovers and vacancies compared to what was in that budget for the project that we could pay the financial credits for the residents, and the project would not be any more expensive to operate than any other comparable affordable housing development. So, it didn’t cost more to have the residents engaged. They actually created the savings that paid the financial credits.”
The credit can be paid out in cash, Spinney said, and many residents will use the money toward rent, medical expenses and other cash-heavy expenses that can derail the lives of people with low incomes. Since the credits tend to get higher over time, however, there’s an incentive for the residents to wait to cash out the credit.
Old used car housing
In discussing housing broadly, those who spoke with LINK nky had varying attitudes about how we got here, so to speak, and what the future might hold.
Joe Klare, the Catalytic Fund’s COO, diagnosed the problem by comparing the home market to the markets for new and used cars: Even as cars age and deteriorate, there’s still a ready-made market for lower-value used cars in the form of younger drivers, students and so forth. Much of the region, he said, has been actively prohibiting the proliferation of entry-level, old used car-type housing.
“If we had a greater supply, as demand for those units went down, some would filter out and be more naturally occurring affordable housing,” Klare said. “But we’ve had a lot of communities that, just frankly, have not made it easy to develop apartments and density in their communities. A lot of places with very rigorous single family zoning haven’t been willing to change zoning to allow more housing.”
Holmes’ diagnosis was more straightforward: “Money.”
“Why am I going to make $30,000 or $40,000 on a unit in the city, when I can go out to the suburbs and make $120,000 doing the same exact work,” Holmes said, putting himself in the shoes of a developer. “Actually, less work because it’s easier to do development in the suburbs versus the city because of all the regulations and everything.
“It’s the same process, though. It’s the same house. It might have different things on it, but a developer’s looking at their process in time. So, if I can do the same process and make four times the amount of money, why do I care about doing this over here?”
Spinney was the most pessimistic, deriding the entire American housing system as “feudal,” referring to the medieval system of political economy whereby wealthy noble families kept peasants in poverty through back-breaking agricultural labor and endless rent extraction.
“It goes back forever, right, to the fact that some people own everything,” Spinney said. “The landlords are the lords – the pharaoh, the king – they own the land, and they own everything on the land and they rent to everyone else. That’s our system, and that system … perpetuates a certain stratification.”
Although the United States has tried to loosen the constraints around this system through its history, Spinney said, many mechanisms from the postwar period that allowed for easier access to attaining property are falling apart. As such, the problem won’t change without massive changes in public policy.
“We allowed some people to get into home ownership that otherwise might have taken them 30 years to save enough money, to really help build the middle class, and it was very, very successful,” Spinney said. “But in my opinion, we’ve reached the limit where it’s not working anymore. We don’t have the same conditions we had after World War II.”
While Holmes wasn’t so downbeat as Spinney, he had no illusions that the problem had been a long time in the making. As such, it will require long-term vision and long-term political will from the region to address.
“We didn’t get here overnight,” Holmes said. “It’s not going to change overnight.”
Levittown, Pennsylvania, in the late 1950s. Levitttown came to typify the postwar housing boom. Many of its residents benefitted from new federal home-buying assistance programs even as most of its neighborhoods maintained strict racial segregation policies. Provided | Wikimedia Commons
By Haley Parnell
NFlexible zoning builds more varied housing
olan Nicaise has been a renter for almost two decades since he moved out of his parent’s house at 18.
Now, at 36, he has lived in many major cities across the country, including Denver, Chicago and Boston. As an urban planner by trade, Nicaise understands city zoning codes.
In 2020, Nicaise moved back to Covington after living in Chicago. He moved into the Woodford apartment building at 303 Greenup St. because he could cross either the Roebling or Fourth Street bridges on foot to get to Cincinnati or Newport, respectively. The building was also on TANK’s Southbank Shuttle route, which offers public transportation.
Nicaise, a former Covington commissioner, is a proponent of housing density and increasing density in strategic locations where it’s already walkable. He also supports housing developments like triplexes and quadplexes as a possible solution to the region’s housing crisis.
“We’re seeing a trend in America where we have more and more single-person households, whether those people are elderly, whether those people are young in their 20s and 30s,” Nicaise said. “Most of our housing stock in America is three bedrooms or more.”
According to a 2019 AARP study called “Making Room: Housing for a Changing America,” nuclear families account for 20% of today’s households. The largest demographic, at 28%, is single adults who live alone. According to the study, the idea that a standard American household consists of a mother, father and two children is “inaccurate and outdated.”
“Historically, the smallest units have received short shrift, but today’s largest household category consists of singles living alone,” the AARP study states. “That’s a
significant mismatch. The bottom line: Our current housing stock isn’t nearly as diverse as we are.”
A 2023 housing study by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District showed the same thing to be true in the region. It showed that demand for one- to two-bedroom rentals and owned properties consistently exceeds supply, while supply for three- and four-bedroom properties consistently exceeds demand. The study suggests that the region needs to build 6,650 housing units to support economic
development in the next five years, which equates to 1,330 units per year. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted rental costs, people like Nicaise are choosing to rent in a walkable neighborhood where they can support local businesses or take public transportation and not have to rely on car ownership.
Rent doubles after rehab
At the time, Nicaise said the rent was $1,070 for a two-bedroom unit that he shared with
his roommate. He said that, because of the welcoming nature and long-term tenants, he could see himself living in the building for at least a decade.
“There were maybe 25 units in the building, and some people had been there for over a dozen years, and it felt like there was kind of like an established culture and people looking out for each other,” Nicaise said. “Almost like there were two matriarchs of the building that had been there a long time, and they established the standards for the building. So, it felt really comfortable.”
Nicaise said that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as housing ownership turnover increased due to low interest rates, landlords were also selling their apartment complexes.
“If [landlords] bought it for a 10th of the current value, they don’t have to charge as much,” Nicaise said. “Then, when there’s turnover and, say a building was purchased in the ’80s for $80,000 and now it was purchased for $400,000, those new owners have a mortgage on it, so they have to charge more. They have to double the rents.”
Tenants in the Woodford, including Nicaise and his roommate, were told they were not allowed to renew their leases. The building had been bought, and the new owners wanted to rehab it. Construction on the Woodford at Roebling Point began in May 2023, and it reopened for leasing in July. Monthly rent for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit had jumped to $2,600.
Nicaise theorizes that density can help lower rent costs, creating a possible housing solution for people who might not fit the nuclear family model or want a threeplus bedroom home.
He acknowledged that, as someone who holds a master’s degree and has a steady income, he can afford rent prices that some people may not be able to or move apartments more easily. Still in Covington, Nicaise and his roommate are renting a condo in the Governors Point Condominiums on Second Street.
“It’s just been a really wonderful experience, a really strong community,” he said. “People say hi, we know most of the people, they see us walking in and out, they’re conversational. They organize monthly get-togethers for a holiday, or there’s even somebody who started a book club within the building.”
New focus on function
What helps pave the way for more innovative housing options that align with the housing study, such as density, multifamily rentals or even accessory dwelling units?
First, it must align with a city’s zoning code – the set of laws and regulations that dictate how land within a city or community can be used. It traditionally separates areas into specific categories, such as residential, commercial or industrial use.
Zoning regulations have historically favored single-family homes. Covington overhauled its zoning code in 2020 after little change since the late 1970s and early
1980s. The new approach focuses more on the overall look, feel and function of neighborhoods rather than strictly regulating land use.
Covington took a strict, rigid code and moved to what they deem the “neighborhood development code.” According to Kaitlin Bryan, the city’s regulatory services manager and historic preservation specialist, the new code uses a hybrid approach. That means the city combined “Euclidean” zoning, which divides a community into zones with rules for land use, with a form-based code.
In a 2018 news release, Covington Economic Development Director Tom West called the older zoning code unworkable. “It’s not up to date with current property uses, it’s not getting us the development and investment we want, there’s too much red tape and too many hoops to jump through, and it doesn’t foster innovation,” he said.
The new code no longer evaluates proposed development exclusively by how it adheres to a rigid set of rules listing legal uses for a particular property. Instead, the uses have been broadened, and the new code focuses on how development fits within the character (and historical look) of its surroundings.
According to Andy Videkovich, manager of the planning department at Planning and Development Services of Kenton County, the decision on how things were set up was made decades ago, probably in the 1960s or ’70s.
“Planning and zoning is not really a onesize-fits-all solution,” he said. “It’s very dependent on what each jurisdiction feels is the best way to approach this.”
Since 2016, Kenton County Planning Development Services has been working with all the cities in the county to update their zoning ordinances. Aside from Covington,
• Top-Rated Schools – Adjacent to Ballyshannon Middle School and near highly-rated Cooper High School
ABERDEEN GLEN
ABERDEEN HIGHLANDS
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES From the low $500s
ABERDEEN PATIO HOMES
RANCH PATIO HOMES From the mid $300s
Cincinnati and Covington from the top of the City/County Building in 1970. Provided | Kenton County Public Library
nine other cities in Kenton County have recently updated their zoning ordinances: Bromley, Elsmere, Erlanger, Fort Mitchell, Fort Wright, Taylor Mill, Independence, Lakeside Park and Villa Hills. The county’s planning staff is currently working with or will be working with the remaining Kenton County cities.
“Before even the housing study was done, we were having discussions with the cities about loosening up things for two-families, accessory dwelling units, things like that,” Videkovich said.
Most of the city ordinances that are being updated were implemented back in the late 1970s or early 1980s.
Zoning reform in action
All the housing types recommended in the housing study are allowed in Covington’s residential zones.
Multifamily housing, defined as comprising at least five units, is allowed in the urban core, the city’s biggest zone. Those units must be a minimum of 400 square feet. Multifamily housing is not allowed in rural or suburban zones.
Nicaise said he introduced legislation during his time with the city to eliminate minimum dwelling unit sizes for triplexes and quadplexes, which he believed would encourage their proliferation.
“In a city that’s older, in a historical city like Covington, we have a lot of opportunities for infill development on really small lots,” he said. “The lots in Covington, a lot of them are like a 20th of an acre. Because of that, I think these triplexes or quadplexes are a great solution for those infill lots or just rehabbing an existing structure.”
Each unit in a triplex or quadplex is a minimum requirement of 700 square feet under Covington’s code. This is something Nicaise is critical of. He said that, prior to Covington’s code update, his parents had turned an abandoned property into a triplex with 550-square-foot units, something they couldn’t have done under today’s code.
“It’s just hard when you can’t build as many units because they would have only been able to build two units, which means that each of those two units would have been larger, but also more expensive,” he said. In the city’s walkable areas, Nicaise said the
more households there are in proximity to businesses, the more business support they generate.
An example of a current project in Covington that aligns with the housing study and fits Nicaise’s idea of renovating an existing structure for housing is the conversion of an old warehouse in the city’s Westside neighborhood. The building, at 1564 Banklick St. near the intersection of West 16th and Russell streets, will become 39 apartments.
“It aligned with the housing study that said we need X amount of these types of units under this price,” Bryan said. “So, it met the price, and it’s adding to the density. Then, just from a historic perspective, it’s another great adaptive reuse project in our community.”
The housing study suggested a deficit in smaller rental properties at all income levels. Orleans Development, the warehouse project’s developer, estimates that the rent range of apartments will be between $1,150 and $1,495 a month, depending on their size.
Rental households must spend 30% or more of their income on rent (not including utilities, insurance and other housing expenses) in order to be considered rent-burdened. A tenant living in the complex making $52,900 or less would be considered rent-burdened if they’re paying the complex’s median rent of $1,322.50 a month.
According to the American Community Survey, about 45% of Covington renters are rent-burdened. The median household income in Covington was $53,770 as of 2022.
As for zoning, the 130-year-old building was originally part of an old foundry before later becoming a warehouse; prior to the zone change approval, the address was zoned for industrial use and could not have been converted into housing.
Pragmatic solutions
The housing study reported that the region’s largest need is for “workforce housing,” that is, for households earning between $15 and $25 per hour and with monthly housing costs between $500 and $1,500. According to the study, the region needs about 3,000 more such units to accommodate people in that income range.
Real estate developer Al. Neyer partnered with Urban Sites on the redevelopment of the former Kenton County Administration Building and jail at 103 E. Third St. in Covington into a 133-unit luxury apartment building and 4,000 square feet of groundfloor retail. “They created housing out of essentially a vacant building,” Nicaise said, “and I think that’s wonderful.”
Another possible housing solution that is more available now due to loosened zoning constraints across Covington, areas of Kenton County and Campbell County are accessory dwelling units. Accessory dwelling units are becoming more popular across the country as families seek a separate space for their adult children, aging relatives, etc.
Covington allows both integrated (an addition to the back of a home) and detached (separate from the main structure) units. While the units must be smaller than the main structure, they are still allowed to be up to 1,000 square feet.
“That’s a very pragmatic example of how this new zoning code was modernized to maybe allow some of these housing options,” said Dan Hassert, former Covington communication manager.
In addition to Covington, the county planning department’s Videkovich said, Bromley, Erlanger, Fort Mitchell, Independence, Lakeside Park, Taylor Mill and Villa Hills have updated their codes to allow accessory dwelling units.
In September 2023, the Campbell County Planning and Zoning Commission approved zoning amendments to allow accessory dwelling units in its residential-rural estate and agricultural 1 zones, which are the county’s largest lot-sized zones. In February, Southgate approved ADUs.
A developer’s perspective
For developers, creating the types of housing the study calls for in Northern Kentucky is more challenged by cost than zoning.
Matt Mains, development manager for Drees Homes, said the term “low-income housing” has changed to “income-aligned housing” because it’s “impossible to replace low-income housing now for the cost that it’s going.”
Mains said that to build housing at a lower cost, programs or incentives must be avail-
able to developers. He also said interested parties, including the city, county or state, must buy in to the idea to build that infrastructure.
“I’ve kind of always said that the tough thing about Northern Kentucky is we don’t have really big developers like, say, in Texas that brings in and builds giant chunks of land, so everyone’s trying to do little pieces and parts on our own,” Mains said. “It’s hard to bring an apartment developer in, with a single-family developer, and with a commercial developer, because we don’t have that major developer that’s sort of bringing them all together.”
Mains said Covington’s former IRS site, now being transformed into a mixed-use development called the Covington Central Riverfront project, is a different story. This is one area in the region where that type of collaboration is coming to fruition. The city plans to transform the site into a mixeduse development with offices, housing, retail, a public plaza and parks.
“That’s because the city is sort of backing it and funding it, pulling that together, and we need to really see that partnership in other places in order to provide the infrastructure for this higher density, more income-aligned housing,” Mains said.
On March 26, 2024, Drees and Covington Continues on page 14
Window washers atop the City/County Building in Covington get a bird’s-eye view of the city and Cincinnati to the north. Provided | Kenton County Library
entered into an agreement to buy land and develop 16 townhomes on a 0.88-acre parcel. The prices of those townhomes are planned to start at $500,000.
While Drees attached housing starts at $300,000, Mains said the area needs middle-priced housing to free up the lower-income housing that is already available.
“Everyone always says, with Drees, you’re not going to build low-income houses,” Mains said. “We’re not, but what we’re doing is we’re providing a $300,000 attached home that low-income housing [residents] can now move out of and move into that $300,000 home, and that’s the only way to free it up, because no one’s building a
house that could be bought for $150,000$200,000.”
In the housing study’s menu of strategies, under the planning and zoning section, it states, “Encourage mixed-use zoning that allows a variety of uses to encourage density and project-type variety, such as missing middle housing and commercial, through tools like form-based codes or PUDs [planned unit developments].”
From his perspective watching zoning-related changes, Mains said he feels the staff and the municipalities understand what’s needed, and they’re not necessarily against what Drees would like to do. A lot of that criticism comes from “nimbyism,” a term for people who say they don’t mind development, so long as it’s “not in my back yard.”
Mains said the public perception of lot size and density is that smaller lot sizes aren’t good. He said that in Lexington, in contrast, the city knows that, if it doesn’t get density on parcels that it has, then it’s going to eat into the horse property. So, if you go to them with a proposal that’s not dense enough, you will get turned down.
Northern Kentucky views density differently. “Whether it’s Kenton County, Campbell or Boone, the staff sort of understand that, but they only have so much control over the public perception, the public pushback, and then, ultimately, what the council and commissions are going to vote,” Mains said.
Zoning and history
The reason why zoning is the way it is in Northern Kentucky goes back farther than the 1970s and ’80s.
Eric Jackson, a professor of history at Northern Kentucky University, said that zoning in the early 1900s was used to direct not just racial groups but classes of people in Campbell, Kenton and Boone counties. He said it was used to drive migration patterns and how people could live in different parts of a city.
“Different entities view zoning differently,” Jackson said. “For example, some municipalities think that zoning is a way to extend their economic development business sectors and bring more businesses to their towns, where others believe that zoning is a way to increase housing, affordable housing. Other folks believe that zoning is a way to keep certain people out of particular parts of their communities.”
In Covington, which usually had a larger African American population than other Northern Kentucky cities, Jackson said zoning was concentrated, often closer to the river because people of color had family connections on both sides of the Ohio River.
“The zoning patterns had to do with developing commercial real estate that was close to the river, but also housing patterns. The farther you got away from the river, the zoning pattern started to change in a way that was based on not just race, but also class,” he said.
While that was happening in Covington, Jackson said Boone County was a whole other matter. Boone County had a relatively larger population of African Americans through the Civil War. After the war, a large portion of the African American population was consciously or unconsciously driven out of the county for several reasons.
He said those reasons included violence and zoning. A lot of the African Americans who left Boone County went to Covington and parts of Walton.
“After the Civil War, into Reconstruction,
they were still driving people out of those communities based on zoning patterns or what kind of housing patterns they wanted to develop, and they wanted African Americans out of particular neighborhoods,” Jackson said. “It wasn’t commercial. It was more housing zoning patterns in Boone County.”
Jackson said Campbell County was different because it did not have a large population of African Americans. He said the zoning patterns were more rural zoning, farming districts, and then those zoning patterns started to change as the population slowly grew based on more people from Appalachia moving into Campbell County.
“Zoning is interesting because it dictates housing patterns and economic development, and it’s tied into the municipalities’ agendas in developing their cities and towns, and it depends on what the objective of a particular administration is trying to develop,” Jackson said. “For example, it could be they don’t want to have affordable housing or low-income housing in certain neighborhoods because it generates a certain type of population that people don’t want in our neighborhoods.”
The property at 1564 Banklick St. in Covington. Provided | City of Covington
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Best Urgent Care
The Christ Hospital Urgent Care Center
n 2nd- Urgent Care - Florence St. Elizabeth Physicians
n 3rd- Urgent Care - Newport/Ft. Thomas St. Elizabeth Physicians
Best Neighborhood Independence
n 2nd- City of Erlanger, KY
n 3rd- Oakbrook Park
Best Nonprofit
Foster Adoptive Parent Association of Northern Kentucky
n 2nd- Brighton Center, Inc.
n 3rd- Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky
Best Organization to Volunteer For
Foster Adoptive Parent Association of Northern Kentucky
n 2nd- Brighton Center, Inc.
n 3rd- Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky
Best Park
Devou Park, Covington
n 2nd- Memorial Park, Independence
n 3rd- Tower Park, Ft. Thomas
Best Person Who Makes a Difference
Best Swimming Pool
Silverlake: The Family Place
n 2nd- Ludlow Bromley Swim Club
n 3rd- Fort Thomas Swim Club
Best General Contractor
Hermes Construction Co.
n 2nd- Chamberlin Contracting
Best HVAC
Schneller Knochelman
Best Auto Repair
Independence Automotive
n 2nd- Don's Garage
n 3rd- Samaritan Car Care Clinic
Best Bank
Heritage Bank
n 2nd- Fifth Third Bank
n 3rd- U.S. Bank
Best Body Shop
Fort Mitchell Garage
n 2nd- Boruske Brothers Auto Body
n 3rd- Performance Body Repair
Best Dog Groomer
Fort Run Pet Grooming, Kelly Lind
n 2nd- Allie's Walkabout
NKY Living Services
Best Golf Course
The Golf Courses of Kenton County
WINNERH
n 2nd- Devou Park Golf Course
n 3rd- A.J. Jolly Golf Course
Best Gym
RiverCity Barbell
n 2nd- Planet Fitness
n 3rd- Better Bodies
Best Hotel
Hotel Covington
n 2nd- Embassy Suites by Hilton Cincinnati RiverCenter
n 3rd- Pickle Factory Boutique Hotel
Amy Carder, Foster Adoptive Parent Association of NKY
n 2nd- Natalie Ruppert of the Kenton County Public Library
n 3rd- Kim Webb, Executive Director of the Emergency Shelter of NKY
n 3rd- Oracle Antiques and Vintage Best Wine Selection
The Party Source
n 2nd- Costco Wholesale
n 3rd- Brianza Gardens & Winery
Best Women’s Fashion
TEEcher Next Door Clothing Co.
n 2nd- Handzy Shop + Studio
n 3rd- Ape Made It Boutique
n 3rd- Monica's Chic Boutique
NKY HVAC COMPANIES TEAM-UP AHEAD OF AC SEASON, DIAL-UP SERVICE
Covington/ ERLANGER, KY – Just in time for the summer heat, two Northern Kentucky staples in the home services industry, Schneller Knochelmann Plumbing, Heating & Air and Niceley’s Heating, Cooling & Appliance Repair, are joining forces. Both family-owned businesses are partnering to better serve Northern Kentucky customers.
It couldn’t happen at a better time for the local community.
Not only is the heat expected to turn-up outdoors, it’s turning-up in the economy, putting additional pressures on family-owned HVAC businesses. In an industry that continues to face a trend of corporate consolidation, this partnership enables two local businesses to maintain their roots while enhancing their ability to remain locally responsive.
“We’re heading right into the thick of AC season and that’s when folks really need reliable service from people they trust,” said Kris Knochelmann, owner of Schneller Knochelmann. “For us, it’s about making sure our neighbors are taken care of by local pros.”
Jeff Niceley, founder of Niceley’s, echoed that sentiment. “Back when I started Niceley’s, it was all about serving our community. This partnership with Schneller Knochelmann lets us grow without losing that local touch that’s so important to us.”
So, what will this partnership look like?
4/24/25, 10:48 AM
Schneller Knochelmann, which has been serving the region since 1928, will now be the point of contact for all heating, cooling, and plumbing needs for both businesses. Meanwhile, Niceley’s, a trusted name since 1994, will continue to specialize in keeping your home appliances running smoothly and will even handle appliance repairs for Schneller Knochelmann’s customer base, offering an expansion in service.
Think of it this way - you’ll still call the same familiar teams. If it’s an HVAC or plumbing issue, Schneller Knochelmann’s team will be on the way in their branded trucks. In parallel, Niceley’s will still be operating from their Erlanger location, ready to tackle any appliance repair. In fact, they’re looking to hire more appliance technicians and office staff to meet the growing demand for those services.
“We really wanted to find a way to grow and offer more to our customers while staying rooted in the values that reflect Northern Kentucky,” Knochelmann explained. “This partnership lets us keep ownership local and really focus on what matters most - our community.”
“It’s a win-win for everyone, Nicely added. “Homeowners will benefit from the combined expertise of both companies.”
Schneller Knochelmann has consistently earned high customer satisfaction ratings for plumbing, heating and air service, which reflects their longstanding commitment to the Northern Kentucky community.
By Kenton Hornbeck
New uses for old buildings reshape region’s core
Developer Alan Haenhle believes historic commercial buildings shouldn’t be left abandoned and dilapidated. Instead, he’s dedicating his time and money to transform these buildings into new offices and apartment buildings.
“Everything’s got a story, and everything has character,” he told LINK nky.
Covington, with a wealth of historic buildings, is Haehnle’s focus. As building conversions become more mainstream, cities are using the practice to help solve local issues, particularly housing shortages.
Across the Ohio River in Cincinnati, commercial-to-residential developments are a key aspect of the city’s plan to tackle the local housing shortage. Some of the city’s most iconic buildings are being renovated into residential spaces. Carew Tower, a 49-story, 574-foot art deco skyscraper, is becoming a residential tower with over 350 apartments, short-term rental units and amenities such as co-working spaces.
A block south, the historic Union Central Tower, now known as the 4th & Vine Tower, also is undergoing a commercial-to-residential renovation. The tower, opened in 1913, served for 50 years as headquarters of the Union Central Life Insurance Co. and then was occupied by Central Trust (later
PNC) Bank. In its second century, it’s being transformed into an apartment complex with over 200 units.
‘A real sense of place’
Converting historic buildings for uses other than their original purpose is called
adaptive reuse. The idea is to promote sustainability and conserve resources while preserving historical or architectural significance, according to the European Architectural History Network.
In Northern Kentucky, too, adaptive reuse projects are a crucial component in
addressing the local housing shortage. A Northern Kentucky Area Development District housing study, released in 2023, found that the region needs to build approximately 6,650 housing units to support economic development in the next five years, an average of 1,330 units per year.
The Boone Block Lofts, formerly a dilapidated commercial building, was transformed into condominiums with financing help from the Catalytic Fund. Provided | The Catalytic Fund
Further, Northern Kentucky requires 3,000 more housing units specifically for households earning between $15 and $25 per hour. The common housing size for this demographic is one- to two-bedroom rentals and owned properties, also referred to as workforce housing.
Developers, especially in urban areas, have turned to adaptive reuse to generate more housing supply. Covington and Newport, both well over 200 years old, have a wealth of historic structures ripe for adaptive reuse.
Tony Milburn, founder of the Milburn Group, a real estate development firm, said Covington’s historic building stock allows developers to create contemporary spaces while capturing the city’s essence.
“So much of the old buildings, they feel a lot more human scale,” Milburn said. “They have so much character. They usually tell a story when you look at them, and it just gives you a real sense of place that a lot of new spaces don’t do so much or don’t do so well.”
The Milburn Group has renovated sever-
al buildings in downtown Covington, including Oddfellows Hall at 523 Madison Ave. and, most recently, the Bilz Insurance building. From Milburn’s perspective, Northern Kentucky’s historic neighborhoods and buildings attract tourists and residents seeking relocation.
“It’s something you can’t recreate,” Milburn said. “I mean, if you think of all of the travels that people do, people go to cities like Savannah and Charleston. They don’t go out to the mall of Savannah or Charleston; they go to the old downtown. Why wouldn’t we want that here? And why wouldn’t we want people to live in buildings like that and enjoy neighborhoods like that?”
Part of urban fabric
Adaptive reuse projects often take dilapidated or vacant warehouses, factories or office buildings and convert them to lofts, condominiums or apartments. Downtown Covington, for example, boasts several of these projects, including the Boone Block Lofts, the Covington Mutual Building and Bradford On Scott.
Tom West, Covington’s economic develop-
ment director, told LINK nky in February that the city’s goal is to encourage the adaptation of buildings that can stand the test of time.
“It is important when a city has infill sites that we find developers who understand the market and how to build something that can be adaptable and relevant through multiple decades,” West said. “That is a characteristic that the builders of our best 19th-century structures understood, which is why so many of those buildings continue to find new uses over a very long life cycle.”
Adaptive reuse initiatives generate numerous housing units in underserved regions. This approach is not only sustainable, as it gives existing structures new purpose without new development, but it is also especially beneficial in densely populated urban environments where space is scarce. Additionally, these units typically provide convenient access to public transportation, enhancing the walkability of communities.
Attracting new residents and integrating their homes into a city’s urban fabric can enhance foot traffic to local businesses.
Restaurants, cafes, retail shops and service providers frequently experience increased patronage when new housing emerges close by.
One of the most prominent examples of residential adaptive reuse in Covington is the Boone Block Lofts, which turned a 19th-century commercial building into modern living spaces. The project preserved the historic facade and interior details while incorporating contemporary amenities for residents.
Private and public investment
A mix of public and private investment has spearheaded Covington’s revitalization. Developers have leaned on tax incentives, historic preservation programs and grants to encourage adaptive reuse.
Nonprofit organizations like the Catalytic Fund were created to drive economic development in Northern Kentucky by providing financial assistance and support for urban revitalization projects. The organization aims to stimulate private investment in the region’s river cities, including Covington, Newport, Dayton, Ludlow and Bellevue.
The Kentucky Heritage Council, a state organization, provides rehabilitation tax credits for developers. Properties that generate income can qualify for a 30% tax credit on rehabilitation costs up to $10 million, resulting in credits of up to $3 million. The same 30% credit is available for owner-occupied residences, with a maximum credit of $36,000 on $120,000 in qualified expenses.
SparkHaus is using a $2 million rehabilitation tax credit to help finance its new home. The previously vacant Simms Furniture building, at 727 Madison Ave. in Covington, is being transformed into a regional entrepreneurship hub. The development will bring together Northern Kentucky-based startups, investment firms and entrepreneurial support organizations in one centrally located site.
Developer Alan Haenhle, who is behind projects such as the DBL Law headquarters and Ice House renovation, is a proponent of making the tax credit, both at a state and federal level, permanent.
“The one thing we sell in that city [Covington] is the history and the coolness,” Haehnle said. “That’s where everybody’s headed. It’s just got to be easier. They need to make those state historic tax credits a permanent function, and the federal tax credits.”
One of the qualifications for a tax credit is that a building be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. SparkHaus’ future home is part of the Covington Downtown Commercial Historic District, which is included in the registry. The building, built in 1929, was a Montgomery Ward department store until the early 1970s.
Economic catalysts
In addition to converting commercial properties into residential ones, deteriorating and historic structures are increasingly being adapted for modern purposes. The Kenton County Government Center, which houses all county government functions, was established in the former headquarters of the Bavarian Brewing Co. at 1811 Simon Kenton Way in Covington. Instead of demolishing this building, Kenton County opted for its preservation, enabling a $32 million investment to transform it into a
The Bavarian Flats apartments, being built atop Kenton County’s parking garage in Covington, is tied to the adaptive reuse of the Bavarian Brewing Co. building as the county’s government center. Photo provided
contemporary government facility.
Similarly, the historic Coppin’s Department store, at 638 Madison Ave., was reinvented as Hotel Covington – rated as the top hotel in the state in 2022. Opened in 2016, the hotel has helped revitalize downtown Covington, demonstrating that adaptive reuse can be a catalyst for economic growth and urban renewal.
On a neighborhood-sized scale, the Covington’s 23-acre IRS redevelopment aims to reclaim underutilized land for residential and mixed-use development. The project’s master plan calls for the installation of a walkable street grid, green spaces and public amenities. In addition, the project is expected to bring hundreds of new housing units, office spaces for businesses and retail shops.
On the east side of the Licking River, Newport has embraced adaptive reuse to revitalize its historic districts. A notable instance is the East Row neighborhood, renowned for its renovated 19th-century homes. Additionally, projects like the Watertower Square redevelopment have turned former industrial sites into vibrant commercial buildings.
A nationwide trend
These projects reflect a broader trend in urban development, in which cities across the country are repurposing aging structures to meet modern needs. Nationwide,
commercial-to-residential conversions have gained momentum, particularly as remote work trends shift office demand.
A report from the National Association of Realtors highlights a surge in vacant office-to-residential conversions in recent years. The phenomenon is particularly noticeable in large metropolitan areas like New York City, San Francisco and Chicago. These cities have implemented adaptive reuse strategies to tackle their housing shortages while also revitalizing their central business districts.
The shift toward adaptive reuse reflects an increasing focus on sustainable urban development. By giving existing buildings new purpose, adaptive reuse cuts down on construction waste, lowers carbon emissions and conserves architectural heritage. Additionally, this approach often proves to be more economical than new construction.
Despite its benefits, adaptive reuse is not without challenges. Renovating historic buildings often comes with regulatory hurdles. Developers, for example, must comply with preservation guidelines, zoning laws and modern building codes. Additionally, older buildings may require extensive structural updates to meet contemporary safety and energy efficiency standards.
Financing adaptive reuse projects can be complex, as banks and investors may perceive greater risks compared to traditional new construction projects. However, tax
credits and government incentives, such as historic preservation grants and low-interest loans, have helped bridge funding gaps.
One critique Milburn has of adaptive reuse projects is that regulations can sometimes be overly stringent. That can discourage developers from taking on new projects.
“They can make things a lot more difficult than they need to be to redo old buildings,” Milburn said. “No one wants to do anything that’s unsafe or put anyone into any kind of danger, but, to try and repurpose a lot of these buildings, there needs to be, in my opinion, a little bit more flexibility in the building codes.”
Part of wider strategy
Although adaptive reuse can help address the regional housing shortage, it is not a complete solution. It should be implemented alongside other housing strategies, including the construction of income-aligned housing, public housing and zoning reforms.
In addition, some historic buildings and commercial buildings aren’t suitable for adaptive reuse, according to Suzanne Lanyi Charles, city and regional planning professor at Cornell University.
“There’s currently a lot of talk about converting office buildings to residential as a solution to our housing crisis,” Charles said in an interview with the Cornell S.C. Johnson College of Business. “In a nutshell,
some office buildings are great for that, and some are not.”
Looking ahead, the future of adaptive reuse in Northern Kentucky appears promising. As demand for urban housing continues to grow, developers and city officials recognize the potential of historic buildings as a key asset in economic development.
The region’s approach to adaptive reuse serves as a model for balancing growth with historic preservation. By maintaining its architectural heritage while adapting to modern housing needs, Northern Kentucky is demonstrating how cities can evolve without losing their identity.
“If you come to Covington and you see the old housing stock and the old building stock, what’s our attraction there? That’s it,” Haehnle said, “saving that stuff and making it look cool. And when you’re doing something new to try to make it fit in and work with the neighborhood, that’s really hard. But if it’s done right, it works.”
As more adaptive reuse projects take shape, Northern Kentucky can benefit from increased housing options, economic revitalization and a stronger sense of community. With careful planning and investment, the transformation of historic buildings will continue to shape the region’s urban landscape for years.
WHERE CONNECT & TRAILS BOURBON MEET
By Kenton Hornbeck
JLive and local: Music festivals take center stage
ulie Kirkpatrick, CEO of meetNKY, Northern Kentucky’s tourism bureau, believes that music festivals were a great way for the region to generate money for the local economy, foster civic pride, and highlight small businesses and vendors.
“Events are so critical to our region for a couple of reasons—whether it is the Cincinnati Music Festival, the amazing BLINK art and light installation or Oktoberfest, it puts new eyes on our community,” she said during the Covington Business Council Luncheon on April 17. “Ultimately, we always hope in the visitor industry, it brings in thousands of people to come and spend their money here.”
From riverfront celebrations to iconic performances, here’s a look at music festivals slated for this summer in and near Northern Kentucky.
Outlaw
Music Festival
June 22: Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati
Country and folk music fans have much to anticipate with the Outlaw Music Festival’s 10th Anniversary Tour stop at Riverbend. The impressive lineup includes legendary artists such as Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night
Celebrating a decade of authentic Americana, the festival has grown into one of North America’s largest annual touring franchises, known for uniting music legends with contemporary superstars. Expect an unforgettable evening of performances that honor the outlaw spirit and genre-defying music.
Festival on the Lake
Aug. 16: A.J. Jolly Park, Alexandria
Festival on the Lake is one of Northern Kentucky’s premier country music festivals. Taking place at A.J. Jolly Park in central Campbell County, Festival on the Lake features local bands and artists that play at the lakefront Stapleton Pavilion.
Attendees often set up lawn chairs and relax while taking in the music and scenic views of the lake, open summer skies and green scenery.
In addition to live music, Festival on the Lake offers other activities, such as watercraft rentals, food and craft vendors, and a kids’ fun zone.
St. Celia’s Labor Day Festival
Aug. 30-Sept. 1: Independence
One of Northern Kentucky’s most prominent church festivals is returning for another year, this time taking place over Labor Day weekend.
St. Celia, a Catholic church in Independence, hosts an annual music festival that features various tribute bands. The festival will host Bohemian Queen, a top-rated Queen tribute band, with local favorite Vinyl Countdown opening the show. The following days will feature Midnight Blue,
a Foreigner tribute band, then the VERY BEST, a Garth Brooks tribute band.
Besides musical performances, the festival will have a Corvette raffle, chicken dinner, food and craft vendors and a variety of other games and family-friendly activities.
Merchants & Music Festival
Sept. 20: Tower Park, Fort Thomas
Started in 2003, Merchants & Music, sponsored by West Sixth Brewing, boasts the title of Northern Kentucky’s largest music festival. Fort Thomas’ Tower Park is an ideal venue for attendees to listen to national and local artists alike. Past performers include Bret Michaels of Poison, Pure Prarie League, John Michael Montgomery, Dusitn Lynch and Andrew McMahon.
Merchants & Music features food trucks from around the region, craft tents and other amenities. Attendees are encouraged to rock sunglasses, lawn chairs, sunscreen and a group of friends to enjoy the show.
America’s River Roots Festival
Oct. 9-12: Cincinnati, Covington, Newport
America’s River Roots Festival promises to be one of the largest music festivals in Greater Cincinnati history. Its purpose is to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Ohio River region, drawing inspiration from another popular local event – Tall Stacks. The five-day event will serve as a kickoff to America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Attendees can look forward to performances curated by Bryce Dessner of The National. The festival is divided into eight zones, two of them on the Northern Kentucky side, in Covington and Newport.
In addition, attendees will get to see riverboats from various ports, including the Steamboat Natchez from New Orleans and the Belle of Louisville, and can take riverboat cruises. Northern Kentucky will be well represented in the festival’s food and culture events, too, like bourbon tastings, river walks and a river cities expo.
Sweats, Trampled By Turtles and Myron Elkins.
It's summer, and it's time to be outside! There are options all across NKY, including on the river. Photo by Hailey Roden | LINK nky contributor
By Maggy McDonel
SVolunteer some of your summertime
ummer is a time for traditions – taking your annual family trip, making s’mores around a bonfire and kids forgetting what they learned the previous school year.
This year, maybe it’s time to start a tradition that helps connect you to the community: giving back.
Volunteering can be rewarding and fun, and it can help provide a new perspective. There are plenty of worthy organizations around Northern Kentucky. We’ve talked with a few local groups to give you an idea of what’s out there.
Keep reading to find some way you can give back this summer:
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit organization that provides many services, all of which are focused on helping people attain a home or improve it.
While locally owned, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati shares a mission statement with its parent organization.
“We envision a world where everyone has a safe, decent and affordable place to live,” Sarah Reynolds, Cincinnati Habitat’s communications and marketing officer, told
LINK nky.
Reynolds said her organization does this through three main programs: an affordable home ownership program, a critical repair program and a construction training program.
Habitat is best known for its affordable home-ownership program, through which Habitat and volunteers build homes alongside future homeowners. “They’re out on
site building with us right alongside volunteers, and then at the end of that process, they purchase their homes with a 0% interest mortgage,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said this is the program that uses – and needs – the most volunteers: “When people think Habitat, they think volunteer on-site, building homes, and that’s exactly what we do.”
Volunteers who help build homes do things
that range from framing to drywall to painting.
“People really enjoy volunteering at Habitat because a lot of times they leave with skills that they didn’t have before,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds said some people even volunteer to learn skills they can use in their own homes.
While it may seem intimidating to those who don’t have construction skills, Reynolds said anyone over 16 can volunteer, with no prerequisite skill requirements.
“Our site superintendents are equal parts construction professionals and teachers,” Reynolds said. “They are so great at teaching skills that you need on-site.”
Reynolds said they often build infill homes, often helping cities fill abandoned lots. If possible, she said the group tries to build multiple homes in the same area to help with planning and timing. “If you have an excavator out to dig a foundation for one house, it’s just easier and more efficient to build another house right next to it,” Reynolds said.
This summer, Reynolds said, Habitat expects to start construction on nine homes on John Street in Covington. This will be the first time Habitat has built homes in the city since 2018, and, yes, they need volunteers.
Volunteers work on a Habitat for Humanity house in Covington. Provided | Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati on Facebook
“We build community while we’re building community, so when you come out to build on a Habitat home, you get to know the people you’re working alongside and a lot of times that’s the homeowner who’s purchasing the home,” Reynolds said. “It’s just a fun opportunity to get to know people and make a difference while you’re working.”
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, including information on volunteering, at habitatcincinnati.org.
Boone County Water Rescue
If you’re looking for a unique and interesting volunteer opportunity, check out the region’s volunteer water rescue.
“We keep our community safe on the water,” Boone County Water Rescue public relations manager Danielle Gronefeld told LINK nky.
The rescue, a division of Boone County Emergency Management that operates under the fiscal court, has 50 volunteers that work more than 12,000 hours annually in water rescue and recovery activities.
Funded by the Boone, Kenton and Campbell fiscal courts as well as grants, it serves those three counties, covering “approximately 95 miles of the Ohio and Licking rivers combined, and then other countless inland waterways like smaller lakes or streams,” Gronefeld said.
While it covers primarily NKY, Gronefeld said the rescue partners with other Tristate
organizations and can also respond to other counties if requested.
The group is available 24/7, May through September, and it also conducts boat patrols every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Boats are crewed by at least three or four people, Gronefeld said, patrolling designated coverage area to ensure everyone is safe, particularly keeping an eye out for broken-down boats and any other emergencies.
Water rescue also patrols during events near the water, like concerts at Riverbend, Friday night fireworks, Reds and Bengals
Gronefeld said the goal is to ensure the safety of everyone on the river by making sure all boats have their lights on and to keep the river channel clear for barges.
In addition to patrols and rescues, the organization offers a lot of water safety awareness, including community outreach and education events, such as hands-on days with the equipment and joining in parades. Last winter, Gronefeld said the group helped out with Camp Ernst’s polar bear plunge.
While diving into the Ohio River to perform
water rescues may seem daunting, Boone County Water Rescue needs all types of volunteers.
“Our team is made up of all walks of life,” Gronefeld said. “We are 100% volunteer. We have mechanics. We have IT professionals. We have bankers and business owners. We have some riverboat captains or people who work on BB Riverboats. We have engineers, grant writers, nurses, human resource professionals or just some retirees.”
While the team is currently full, Gronefeld said applications are always accepted.
Boone County Water Rescue team members on a boat with a volunteer pup. Provided | Boone County Water Rescue on Facebook games, plus large gatherings like Riverfest.
By Haley Parnell
KKid-friendly spots beat boredom on a budget
eeping kids entertained doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether they love splashing in the water, exploring nature or getting creative, there are plenty of free adventures in the region.
Splash pads
Wilder Splash Pad
The splash pad runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting. It’s in City Center Park, which also offers two shelters, a playground, halfcourt basketball, a pitching wall, a tennis practice wall, two pickleball courts, a concession stand and restrooms.
• 110 South St., Wilder.
Latonia Water Park/Splash Pad
The splash pad in the Bill Cappel Youth Sports Complex is open and free to Covington residents from June to August. The park offers hoses, sprinklers, slides and play equipment.
• 4305 Decoursey Ave., Covington.
Public parks
Central Park & Arboretum
Central Park is a 121-acre park offering 2.35 miles of paved trails through wooded and open areas. It has a children’s garden, wetlands and is home to the Boone County Arboretum. The arboretum is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to dusk and boasts more than 3,600 trees and shrubs. There is no charge for admission or parking.
The arboretum also offers events through the year (go to bcarboretum.org/events for the listing). One upcoming free event is the pollinator walk, 10-11 a.m. June 12. Kids can discover butterflies and other pollinators. Registration is required and can be done through the website.
• 9190 Camp Ernst Road, Union.
Devou Park NaturePlay@BCM
Just outside the Behringer-Crawford Museum, NaturePlay@BCM provides kids with a range of activities like exploring a flatboat, navigating a rocky cave, imagining life in a
log cabin and discovering fossils.
NaturePlay@BCM is open seven days a week, from dawn until dusk, and is free to use. Parking is free, too, in the Behringer-Crawford Museum lot.
• 1201 Park Drive, Covington.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site
Visit the bison herd, tour the museum and diorama pit, and discover the salt springs along the Big Bone Creek trail. There is also a museum where you can find Ordovician-period fossils, ice age mammal bones, Native American artifacts and more.
Admission to the park and visitor center is free all year, and park grounds are open daily year-round until dark.
• 3380 Beaver Road, Union.
Public libraries
Boone County
The Boone County Public Library has six locations across the county:
• Main library: 1786 Burlington Pike, Burlington.
• Florence: 7425 U.S. 42, Florence.
• Hebron: 1863 North Bend Road, Hebron.
• Scheben: 8899 U.S. 42, Union.
• Walton: 13000 Towne Center Drive, Walton.
• Chapin Memorial Library: 6517 Market St., Petersburg.
The main library in Burlington has a couple of sensory-related items, including a sensory room that was created with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the Cincinnati Zoo.
The main library, and the Hebron and Walton branches all have Boone Innovation Labs, which have laser engravers, Cricut
machines, 3-D printers, large-format poster printers, podcast equipment and green screens.
Story times: Take your child to a story time held at the library with interactive stories, rhymes and music. Story times are held through the month based on the following age groups:
• Baby Time (birth-18 months).
• Tiny Tots (18 months-2 1/2 years).
• Toddler Tales (2 1/2-3 1/2 years).
• Bookworms (3 1/2-5 years).
• Family Time (birth-5+ years).
• Sensory Storytime (2-5 years).
• Sleepy Tales (birth-5+ years).
• Stories with Art (3-6 years).
For additional information on story times, go to bcpl.org/children/storytime-early-literacy.
Campbell County
On average, Campbell County Public Library offers about 45 monthly programs at each of its three largest branches, Cold Spring, Newport and Fort Thomas. The programming is divided into three age ranges: newborn to age 11, teens 12 to 19 and adults 18 and up.
There are different club opportunities like Minecraft and Dungeons & Dragons. The library has traveling exhibits from such institutions as the Smithsonian, Kentucky Science Center, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Zoo and Newport Aquarium.
You also can visit a toddler or preschool story time.
Toddlers aged 1-3 can join the library for stories, music and craft activities. Preschoolers aged 3-6 can also join the library for stories, music and craft activities targeted to their age group.
To find more information on the story times offered at the Campbell County Public Library visit campbellcounty.librarycalendar.com/events.
The Campbell County Public Library’s locations are:
• Alexandria: 8333 Alexandria Pike in Alexandria.
• Cold Spring: 3920 Alexandria Pike.
• Carrico/Fort Thomas: 1000 Highland Ave., Fort Thomas.
• Newport: 901 E. Sixth St.
Parents can get a free book to read at home with their children through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The program mails an age-appropriate book for free to enrolled children monthly. This program is offered through all the county’s public libraries.
Kenton County
listen to a story in
The Kenton County Public Library offers the stream center, a maker space. The largest location is at the Erlanger branch; however, Covington and Independence also have small versions. The stream center in Erlanger has laser printers, 3-D printers, long-arm quilting machines, embroidery machines and coding equipment geared toward children.
The library offers various story time programs tailored to different age groups. Those include:
• Baby Storytime (for age 2 and under): Features books, rhymes, bounces and group play to entertain and enrich infants and toddlers.
• Toddler Storytime (age 2-3 years): Includes books, music, and activities designed for toddlers.
• Preschool Storytime (age 3-5): Has songs, stories and rhymes designed to get your preschooler on the right track for preschool and kindergarten.
To find more information on story times, visit kentonlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/ events.
Kenton County Public Library locations are:
• Covington: 502 Scott Blvd.
• Erlanger: 401 Kenton Lands.
• Independence: 1992 Walton-Nicholson.
The NaturePlay@BCM area at Devou Park offers a range of outdoor activities. Provided | Devou Park
Children
the children’s department at the Erlanger branch of the Kenton County Public Library. Provided | Kenton County Public Library Facebook
Close but so far away: Escape NKY without actually leaving
By Maggy McDonel
Looking to go on a little adventure this summer but don’t want to go too far? You’re in luck, and there’s plenty to explore around Northern Kentucky that’ll make you feel like you’re worlds away.
From the views at Devou Park to a trip back in time at Rabbit Hash to spending time in local waterways, there are so many ways to get out and enjoy the region this summer. While some stops may be a bit of a trip, all are within an hour’s drive of NKY.
Read on to learn about some particular pockets around Northern Kentucky where you can be close but feel so far away.
Frolic through lavender fields
Did you know there’s a lavender farm just outside Verona? Nope, you didn’t magically end up in the south of France; you’re at Bayer Farms.
June is the peak season for lavender, and the 2025 season at Bayer Farms will start May 29 and run through July 15.
For $12, guests get a basket, a pair of scissors and a knee pad. They can head into the rows to clip what they like to take home. Guests also can bring food to enjoy at one of the picnic tables. Year-round, the farm sells lavender products like lotions, scented neck pillows, even lavender cookies and more.
• 995 Eads Road, Verona; bayerfarmsinc. com.
Enjoy the view at Devou Park
Nestled in the middle of the region’s urban riverfront, Devou Park offers a scenic escape from the city right in the heart of it. Originally the family farm of William P. Devou Sr. and Sarah Ogden Devou, much of the land for this iconic park was donated to Covington in 1910.
With over 700 acres, the park offers tons of things to do and nature to enjoy. Devou features an 18-hole golf course, picnic shelters, playgrounds, over eight miles of mountain bike trails, paved nature trails, an amphitheater, a fishing lake and more. Also at the park: the NKY Children’s Home, Drees Pavilion at the Devou Memorial Overlook and the Behringer-Crawford Museum.
Devou Park might be best known for its sweeping view of downtown Cincinnati and Covington. The overlook is open every day from dawn to dusk.
• 1201 Park Drive, Covington; covingtonky. gov.
Take a trip to a grown-up-sized treehouse
Dive into a fairytale with a stay at one of three treehouses in Brooksville, Kentucky, at EarthJOY Village. While a little bit of a trip, this quirky stop is within an hour’s drive of Northern Kentucky and would
make a perfect weekend getaway.
Guests have the option to stay in one of three unique treehouses or the “Skoolie Love Bus” (a retrofitted school bus that sleeps up to two adults and two kids). There are also 285 acres of land with 20 miles of trails on the property to explore. The villages offer customizable team-building retreats, tree-climbing courses and more.
Take a walk with dinosaurs at Big Bone Lick State Park in Union. Described by the National Park Service as “the key to understanding the life of the Ice Age on the North American continent,” this park will take you back in time to a different world.
The park is on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail and is known for its salt springs and prehistoric animal fossils.
Visitors can pick a basket of fresh lavender at Bayer Farms. Provided | Bayer Farms on Facebook
Enjoy boating and fishing at Doe Run Lake in Erlanger. Provided | kentoncounty.org
Visitors can view life-size replicas of prehistoric animals, visit a bison herd, explore 4.5 miles of trails, camp, hike, swim, watch birds, orienteer, picnic and more. The park also features 62 campgrounds with a camp store, showers, grills, laundry and restrooms.
Big Bone Lick is open year-round, and admission is free.
3380 Beaver Road, Union; parks.ky.gov.
Enjoy the water from a kayak
If you live in Northern Kentucky, you’re familiar with the mighty Ohio and its tributary, the Licking, which define and run through or past Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. While you may see them all the time, you may not get to experience them from the water.
Enter Schack’s Yaks, a program that provides lockers so those with kayaks can store them by the river so they don’t have to lug them around and find creative storage solutions. It also offers hourly rentals in kayak kiosks for people looking to take a quick trip on the river.
The company’s first kayak kiosk was in Augusta. It added one in Newport after being approached by city officials who wanted a creative solution for urban kayaking.
The program hopes to expand; a kiosk has been announced at Doe Run Lake.
• schacksyaks.com.
Step back to a slower time
Rabbit Hash in Boone County is home to one of the best-preserved country stores in the United States, the Rabbit Hash General Store. It’s even included on the National Register of Historic Places.
The name Rabbit Hash is said to have originated during the flood of 1847, when the rabbit population was driven to higher ground and became a staple in a special stew called “hash.” The unincorporated community is also well known for its rotating dog mayor. You can even meet the candidates during the annual Old Timers Day, a popular music and arts festival held at the general store.
• 10021 Lower River Road, Rabbit Hash; rabbithash.com.
Wade into nature
Thirty-acre Doe Run Lake offers a glimpse of nature that makes you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere (even though it’s only 15 minutes away from downtown Erlanger).
The lake offers a boat ramp (only trolling motors permitted) and fishing. The 183acre park surrounding the lake features hiking trails and secluded picnic areas.
The Rabbit Hash General Store is a step back to a simpler time. Provided | Rabbit Hash General Store on Facebook
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