Bowling Green Commission advances Riverfront Park, precinct and safety projects
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – Several major projects moved forward Tuesday as the Bowling Green City Commission approved funding and agreements involving Riverfront Park, a new police precinct, playground improvements and pedestrian safety.
The commission approved a $2.7 million amendment to a design and engineering contract for Riverfront Park. The amendment will take the whitewater portion of the project from 30% design through construction.
Brent Childers, the city’s project manager, said the project is nearing a significant milestone after roughly a decade of planning.
“We are at the cusp of really making this park a reality for the community,” Childers said.
Permitting for the project’s third phase is expected in 2027, with construction anticipated to take about two years. The city expects the whitewater portion to be completed around 2030.
“This is a big project for this community,” Childers said. “This is a big endeavor for this community, and we should celebrate it as a community.”
The city expects residents to see progress before then. A ribbon-cutting for the first phase is scheduled for Oct. 28, with the second phase beginning behind it.
The commission also approved $285,000 for a new playground at Preston Miller Park. The existing playground, which is about 25 to 26 years old, will be relocated closer to the soccer fields and will include inclusive play features.
Commissioners also approved $595,000 for renovations to the city’s East Police Precinct.
Police Chief Michael Delaney said the renovated facility will provide many of the same functions available at the department’s headquarters on Kentucky Street, but on a smaller scale.
“It will have everything in a smaller version that we have at 911 Kentucky Street,” Delaney said. “Which will include an interview room, a place where the public can come in, file police reports, will have a small community room on the east side of town.”
The commission also gave second-reading approval to an ordinance focused on pedestrian safety.
Commissioner Sue Parrigin called the measure a major step for pedestrian safety in the community.
“To be clear, this is a safety initiative for our state and community, and I’m very proud of this groundbreaking ordinance,” Parrigin said.
In an item added after the regular agenda, commissioners approved applying for a $250,000 state economic development grant for Tyson Processing Services.
Commissioner Dana Beasley-Brown thanked Tyson for its role in the community and said the plant has allowed Bowling Green-area families to work closer to home.
“I want to thank Tyson for being such great community partners,” Beasley-Brown said. “And, when they brought the plant here, so many of our Bowling Green families got to come home and work where their kids go to school, where they live.”
All of the measures passed unanimously.
