COVINGTON, Ky. — The City of Covington hosted a community meeting at John G. Carlisle Elementary School Monday to collect feedback on possible uses for the space, including a permanent home for the city's farmers' market.
Attendees had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with developers and submit written comments and ideas. Nothing has been set in stone, and the meeting was designed to help developers refine their plans.
The city is close to closing on the property near the school. The development would include a building currently owned by the school district, as well as the school's front lawn space. Covington Independent Public Schools currently uses the building as extra office space
The development is still in the early stages. Developers are considering apartments on the upper floors of the building and some sort of commercial space on the ground level.
John Sadosky, Covington's interim economic development director, said the partnership has been in the works for more than a year. The Covington Independent Public Schools board declared the front lawn of John G. Carlisle Elementary surplus property, opening the door for the city to pursue the project alongside several community partners.
"We're thinking a local food grocery store, some sort of something food-related that would complement the farmers market, something that's going to fit in with the other uses here in this neighborhood, something that the community wants to see," Sadosky said.
WATCH: Covington community weighs in on possible development at meeting Monday
Sadosky said the city is quarterbacking the deal. The nonprofit Center for Great Neighborhoods is the developer and potential future owner, and it is working with the Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority on the project.
Sadosky said the city's board of commissioners has voted to enter into a purchase agreement on the property. The building is currently used as back office space for the school district. Restrictive covenants will be in place to make sure commercial uses are appropriate for the location in front of a school.
Sadosky said workforce housing is a goal for the residential units, though no affordability restrictions have been set.
Covington Mayor Ron Washington stressed the importance of gathering community input before any final decisions are made.
"People utilize Pike Street, so this is an opportunity to beautify an area. It's an opportunity to continue walkability, the historic nature---and make Covington what it is," Washington said.
Rick Hulefeld, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than 46 years, welcomed the project.
"I think this is one of the most exciting things that we've done," Hulefeld said.
Hulefeld pointed to the potential for teacher housing as a particular benefit.
"We have this beautiful ball course that we do soccer and baseball. We've got a beautiful playground, and we're going to enhance that playground. And I love the idea that the second and third floor of a building that is underutilized would go to teachers who are just starting out and would need a little help. Anything we can do in this part of the world to keep more teachers here is a real benefit because we're competing with Cincinnati who can pay much higher salaries," Hulefeld said.
Covington resident and realtor Carol Carter called the project a significant opportunity for the city.
"This is such a huge blueprint in Covington," Carter said.
Carter said she hopes the space becomes more than a part-time destination.
"I'd love to see it used for more than just, you know, a few hours a week, farmers' market. For example, if they can make it a three-season building and maybe do business meetings ... the possibilities are endless," Carter said.
WATCH: See what the city's interim economic development director had to say about the project
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