KENTON
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 9 — JANUARY 23, 2026
THE VOICE OF NKY
linknky.com
5 NKY real estate developments to watch in 2026 By Kenton Hornbeck
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s 2026 sets in, several large-scale real estate development projects aim to transform the landscape of Northern Kentucky.
For the new year, LINK nky is spotlighting five real estate developments to watch in 2026. These projects, including new mixed-use developments, apartment complexes and grocery-anchored retail centers, indicate ongoing growth and investment throughout Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. Covington Central Riverfront project Construction of the first buildings at the highly anticipated Covington Central Riverfront, or CCR, site is underway. Over the years-long, sometimes methodical, development process, progress is clearly visible. The first development on the site occurred in 2022 when Covington hired O’Rourke Continues on page 3
Officials from the City of Covington and Funke Real Estate Group break ground on Plot A at the Covington Central Riverfront site. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky
Parents assured Latonia Elementary safe after partial collapse By Nathan Granger
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istrict leaders and engineering professionals had a straightforward message for parents and students of Latonia Elementary at a special open house on Jan. 12: The building is safe. “I know some folks might have concerns, and that’s OK,” Covington Independent Schools Superintendent Alvin Garrison told the packed cafeteria.
Superintendent Alvin Garrison speaks at the open house on Jan. 12, 2026. Photo by Nathan Granger | LINK nky
The building’s gym partially collapsed on Dec. 31, 2025, so classes were moved online while engineers and structural officials engaged in a controlled demolition of the affected areas and installed stabilization measures. The cause of the collapse has not been determined, and some parents ex-
pressed concern about whether the building was safe. Garrison said multiple professional parties were involved in examining the school post-collapse. Private engineering and consulting firms, the fire department and county planning professionals all signed off on the building’s safety, he said. “We would not be in this building if this cafeteria and this school was not deemed safe,” Garrison continued. Casey Hitter is a principal engineer with Advantage Structural Engineers, one of the firms involved in the collapse’s response. “I would let my own children come back into this school,” Hitter said.
What’s the progress so far on Erlanger’s Eons Park? p6 Residents call for an end to ICE cooperation p7 Community Voices: The art of the elevator pitch p11
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