Another $200 contribution for the building
Got word Wednesday morning that another $200 contribution has been made to save the building.
The person wishes to remain anonymous, and we will respect that. Thanks Anonymous, once the rowhouses are developed, you'll always know that you had an important part in saving them.
Jeff Sanders returns to the neighborhood
Jeff Sanders, who lived for many years at the southwest corner of W. Robbins and Russell -- in the recently beautifully restored clapboard -- has returned to the neighborhood.
Jeff has moved his law office to 1009 Russell, next door to The Sanders Law Firm. Jeff Sanders and Bob Sanders, of course, are brothers. Jeff is an environmental lawyer.
With Jeff in 1009, there's an occupant in the building that we know will take care of it, improve it, preserve it, and who will be there for lots of years to come.
That will add stability and vitality to the neighborhood and will, over time, facilitate more improvements to the property.
It will encourage more investment in surrounding properties; and draw more positive attention to Old Seminary Square.
Law offices are expecially compatible with the residential character of Old Seminary Sqaure for several reasons-- law offices are quiet places.
Welcome home Jeff!
Stricker won't run
again in Covington
Covington City Commissioner Jerry Stricker announced Tuesday that he won't run for re-election in 2010.
JANUARY 12, 2010
Old Seminary Square pioneer donates to roof fund
Bob Sanders has donated $200 to the Russell Street Roof Fund, the fundraiser to help save the burnt-out row houses in our beloved neighborhood.
"The building is very important to the architectural fabric of the neighborhood," Mr. Sanders wrote, noting the importance in saving this asset.
Last week, Russell Street News renewed its challenge for $200 donations to the fund to put a cover over the burnt-out historic structure, especially now that the severe weather has revealed new signs of deterioration.
The Old Seminary Square pioneer quickly jumped to the challenge, for the sake of the building.
But more is needed. Please make a donation today, in care of the Center for Great Neighborhoods. Email me and I'll give you complete information.
Developers expected to move forward on building
Developers Tony Kreutzjans and Marc Tischbein have signaled a willingness to move forward with the re-development of the burnt-out row houses in the 1000 block of Russell Street.
Their development company is the one that took over the Pulse Apartments and did such a great job rehabbing buildings on Pike Street and elsewhere.
It looks likely that they'll be able to take "site control" of three of the four townhomes. One townhome apparently has multiple liens against it and will have to be forced into foreclosure, a process that will take up to six months.
Key to this will be a neighborhood, city and state effort to cover the roof of the building, to protect it from further damage. So, far about $6500 has been raised, with $5000 coming from the state alone.
Contributions are still being accepted and can be sent/addressed to Center for Great Neighborhoods. In the memo portion of your check, write "Russell St Roof Fund." Your donation is tax deductible because the organization is 501c3.
The plan is not to cover over the Burns townhome because the damage inside is too severe to save anyway. The other three sections will be covered. No estimate is available on the cost to cover the roof.
A month ago, city insiders expressed frustration with the lack of a plan for the building, and now seem satisfied after Kreutzjans and Tischbein expressed a willingness to move ahead.
JANUARY 11, 2010
12th Street bridge to be 'lifted'
Crews are working on the new "half bridge" over the train tracks on 12th Street. Here's how it will work:
The new section will eventually carry eastbound traffic. The existing bridge will be "lifted" or elevated higher to conform with new federal regulations, and will eventually carry the westbound traffic.
The city says it will take up to three years for the entire project to be completed.
Our Neighborhood:
Getting the word out
The latest edition of the Covington E-News is out, produced by the City of Covington.
What's not in the newsletter, as with previous editions, is any information on the Old Seminary Square Neighborhood Association. All the other Associations in the city are noted.
(I'm not getting info, either, for Russell Street News but, obviously, have been able to maintain without it.)
So Greg Paeth, I volunteer and would be happy to be the publicist for the group. Let me know if that's OK with you.
It would be great to work with you again, just like at The Kentucky Post.
JANUARY 7, 2010
Snow
It really brings out the beauty of the neighborhood, doesn't it?
Renewing the $200 challenge for the building
Looking at that burnt-out building each day, it is clear that it is deteriorating even more.
So, I want to try again with the $200 challenge. The building needs help now, more than ever. If twenty other individuals in Old Seminary Square donate $200 to help save the structure, I will do the same.
Come on, folks, open your wallets! Let's help to save this beautiful monument in the neighborhood.
Bob Sanders loves the neighborhood
Of course, Bob Sanders loves the neighborhood. That should go without saying.
"We are very proud of it and of the whole neighborhood," he wrote to Russell Street News.
"My wife and I moved to Russell Street in 1970 and we've been engaged with the neighborhood ever since."
Heading back
to Florida
Next week, I'll be heading back to my home in the country club near Miami, barring any family situations.
Gosh, it has been cold here in Covington since the day I arrived for the holidays. And, guess what? South Florida has been caught in the chill, as well.
Just as with my last absence, I'm hoping people will continue to keep me informed. It would be great if the Association emailed me meeting notices and the minutes, for example.
For some reason, it just can't get into the habit of sending good information. Covington E-News -- the city's newsletter -- has the same challenge with getting info.
Nevertheless, the site will continue to be updated because an ingrained newsman like myself just can't help it!
JANUARY 7, 2010
For sale around
the corner
This Queen Ann Style on Banklick Street is two stories with an entry w/open staircase, pocket doors, 4 fireplaces.
Crown molding, walk-in closet, 2nd floor laundry, whirlpool bath. Rear sun porch overlooking private garden. Zoning NC-2 (neighborhood commerical)
[Link]
UPDATE: The retired owners of the Sanford House apartment complex have been the only ones to take down holiday garland on the street, thus far. They did it yesterday, took a half an hour at the most.
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15th and Russell Streets
A family stands in front of their corner grocery store at 15th and Russell Streets in the dead of winter. The absence of cars probably dates this photo back
to the early 1900s.
Bob's Carry Out
This 1980 photo has been posted here before, but worth doing again. It's Bob's Carry Out, which used to be at Russell and 11th Streets. Note the traffic lights overhead, and the laundromat on 11th.
Blue tarp once on roof of 1022 Russell Street
Playing around at Google Maps, its satellite image revealed a blue tarp over 1022 Russell Street, the Burns home. Seems that it wasn't that long ago; sometime after the new trees were planted on the street, and likely before the unfortunate fire.
This part of Russell Street kind of looks the same
This 1980 photo of northwest side of Russell Street looks just about the same today as this black and white photo. But, behind many of the walls, extensive renovation has taken place.
Welcome to Covington, in the State of Vandalia
Covington was almost located in the State of Vandalia, it wouldn't have been your old Kentucky home. [Link]
Phoenix Cafe at Pike and Russell Streets
The above promotional card has been posted here before: Phoenix Cafe served as the entertainment center for the neighborhood. You can imagine the New Year's celebrations that took place there. Today, the building is better known as the Parish House.
Ohio River frozen over in 1977
I know that Greg remembers this because he'd worked at The Kentucky Post in 1977, when the Ohio River froze over during a very cold January. Will it happen this winter, considering the exceptionally cold weather?
Service station at
Pike and Main Streets
The corner of Pike and Main Streets has been the home to a service station for a long, long time. Today, there's a Shell franchise but, alas, it will soon be torn down because the city has received a federal grant to reconfigure the intersection in co-operation with the state.
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