Governor Approves Riverfront Development Study in Frankfort

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 7, 2008) - Gov. Steve Beshear has approved the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist and Convention Commission's request for funding assistance to conduct a riverfront development study of the Frankfort area.
"The Kentucky River is a tremendous asset and is one of the reasons Frankfort was chosen to be our state capital," said Gov. Beshear. "The river provides a scenic landscape and recreation for many residents and visitors to Frankfort and the commonwealth, and has been underutilized for far too long."

The state will partner with the commission in directing the study and by contributing up to $150,000 toward the cost. The governor pledged the funds from the Land Acquisition Account, which is managed by the Finance and Administration Cabinet and has been used in the past decade to purchase several riverfront parcels in the Frankfort area.

"The Kentucky River provides a beautiful backdrop for hiking and biking trails throughout the heart of the capital city," said first lady Jane Beshear. "Expanding tourism opportunities along the riverfront will not only have a positive economic impact on the community, but will also help cultivate and showcase the scenic natural resources in the area."

The study area will include land along the Kentucky River as it runs through the capital city, from the Julian Carroll Bridge to the Buffalo Trace Distillery. This study is the first step in devising a plan to enable the river to become the centerpiece for revitalizing the Frankfort community, help attract desirable development, and focus resources to assist development that is consistent with the goals of Frankfort, Franklin County and the commonwealth.
"We are ecstatic," said Joy Jeffries, executive director of the Frankfort/Franklin County Tourist Commission. "There is nothing this administration could do that would provide more positive economic possibilities for Frankfort and Franklin County. While we may live in Frankfort, we realize it belongs to all of the citizens of the commonwealth."