A national design competition is underway to create a public art installation in the Covington Central Riverfront neighborhood, a 23-acre district aimed at reconnecting the city to its waterfront and surrounding communities.
City officials see the project as a key step in shaping the neighborhood’s identity and creating a sense of civic pride while also providing a new public space. Partnering on the project are The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, The Center for Great Neighborhoods, ArtsWave and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation.
The Carnegie and The Center for Great Neighborhoods have issued a request for proposals, inviting artists nationwide to submit designs. A grant from the Haile Foundation will fund artists’ fees, fabrication costs and other expenses.
Applications are open until June 1.
“Public art will be a critical component of establishing the environment the people of Covington want,” said Tom West, Covington’s economic development director. “We are engaging with creative experts to help shape the character of this new neighborhood.”
The process to create a new public space
The development site, just west of Madison Avenue and north of Fourth Street, housed an IRS paper processing facility for more than 50 years before it closed in 2019. Since acquiring the property, the city of Covington has demolished the building, addressed environmental concerns and started developing a mixed-use neighborhood with housing, retail, office space and public amenities nearby.
The public art installation, planned for the intersection of Third and Russell streets, will reflect Covington’s history and identity. Artists can incorporate artifacts salvaged from the former IRS complex, including signage, metal lettering, lights, clocks and architectural elements, according to the RFO.
A committee with representatives from The Carnegie, The Center for Great Neighborhoods, the city, regional arts professionals and community leaders will oversee the selection process. The city said public feedback will help determine the winning design, though specifics aren’t yet available.
Shannon Ratterman, executive director of The Center, said the group will gather public input this summer to ensure the final selection “reflects local identity and pride.” She described the project as a way to transform an underused space into a prominent city landmark.
The committee will select three to five finalists by July 1. Each will receive a stipend to develop detailed renderings or models. They’ll select the winning design by Aug. 15, with fabrication scheduled for completion by Nov. 15 and installation by Nov. 30, weather permitting.
“It’s important to us that the selected project resonates with the broader Covington community,” Ratterman said.
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