Steve Almond - covington masterplan

covington masterplan

This project site is located in Covington, Kentucky and our intention was to re-establish a strong relationship with the Ohio River that has been lost due to the construction of a levy system in the late 1930s. We began by extending major roads into the site and reserving a strong pedestrian circulation along the longitudinal axis to emphasize the importance of the urban block and subsequent encompassed space within. Furthermore, each of the blocks created by the extension of major roads is composed of a variety of mixed-use programs. The first floors of all but a few buildings remain completely public and permeable, engaging visual and physical connections that establish the importance of the pedestrian experience. We celebrate the presence of industry and non-residential spaces so that these zones do not become places that pedestrians avoid and aim to recall the physically industrious nature of cities which has been extinguished in recent history. The collision of greenery and mixed program is intended to highlight the necessity for cities to once again produce a physical product rather than just a “soft” economic export, and access to the river is an integral part of this connection. While the riverfront is rebuilt as a recreational space, articulations along its front edge also grant access to commercial traffic that is ever prevalent.

All work shown was completed in conjunction with Andy Failor

project data:
site area: 3,229,173sqft / 300,000sqm
gross floor area: 2,499,993sqft / 232,257sqm
number of levels: 3 min. / 8 max.

use / function:
urban development
residential: 1,666,662sqft / 154,838sqm
commercial/retail: 416,660sqft / 38,709sqm
industrial: 416,660sqft / 38,709sqm