The Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority has introduced the "Green Lot" at 212 E. 8th St., aiming to meet the rising demand for parking in Covington. The site, previously a deteriorating asphalt lot, has been upgraded with solar lighting and new vegetation, including various trees meant to enhance the area's aesthetic. Two tulip poplars, identified as Kentucky’s State Tree, will provide shade over time.
Kyle Snyder, Executive Director of the Covington Motor Vehicle Parking Authority, emphasized, "The Parking Authority is diligently working to improve the city’s public spaces. While we are focused on providing safe and affordable parking options, it is also our goal to ensure that public parking areas are visually attractive consistent with the surrounding neighborhood."
The natural landscape of the area aids in rainwater drainage, according to Snyder. The parking lot is also intended to support the needs stemming from SparkHaus, a nearby entrepreneurial center at 727 Madison Ave.
The city's parking management strategy also changes at the John R. Green building. Initially, the city invested $2.5 million in its construction for 92 parking spaces in return for managing them. The previous agreement failed to generate revenue as expected. The Parking Authority will now oversee the area, with a focus on balancing public interests and financial sustainability. Snyder explained, "We’re trying to find the right balance, managing parking for the greater good and generating funds to improve and grow our parking assets, all to make Covington an even better place to live, work, and play."
Monthly parking permits for the Green Lot are priced at $30, with further details available through ABM Parking Services or the website provided.