Bowling Green City Officials Outline Progress on Major Projects
Bowling Green, KY – On Thursday evening, city leaders gathered at Mt. Zion Baptist Church for a special work session to update the community on several important city projects. The meeting featured updates on the restoration of the historic Southern Queen hotel, the development of Riverfront Park, enhancements to the city’s greenways, and road improvement projects.
Southern Queen Restoration
City Commissioner Melinda Hill was first to address the crowd, providing insight into the ongoing restoration of the Southern Queen. This once-popular hotel located in the Shake Rag neighborhood fell into disrepair over the years. The city acquired the hotel and two adjacent properties back in 2021 with hopes of revitalizing the area.
Local developer Desmond Bell of Bell Vue Properties was tasked with the renovation. Hill shared that nearby properties have already been renovated and are set to be used as rental spaces. Hill emphasized that the Southern Queen will reopen as a boutique hotel in 2025, featuring retail space, historical exhibits, and guest accommodations. “Thanks to the City of Bowling Green and Mr. Desmond Bell, the Southern Queen will once again be open for current and future generations to enjoy,” she stated.
Riverfront Park Development
Brent Childers, director of Neighborhood and Community Services, highlighted the plans for Riverfront Park, which will transform a 71-acre area along the Barren River. Childers described the park as an “outdoor adventure park,” aimed at attracting visitors and enhancing community recreation.
Construction will occur in phases, with the first phase set to begin next year, introducing a new boat ramp and improved river access. Childers passionately shared, “We’re going to make it to where anybody can get down and touch the water and be part of that natural opportunity.”
City Beautification Initiatives
During the session, a representative from Operation PRIDE, a city beautification initiative, shared plans for new gateways to welcome visitors. Melanie Lawrence noted that upcoming construction will create similar gateways near the Kentucky Street and Sixth Avenue intersection as those already built along Interstate 65.
These new structures will feature striking red lettering on stone pedestals, accompanied by flagpoles. Lawrence likened these gateways to the front doors of houses. “We hang wreaths on our front doors, we made them look pretty because we want to be welcome,” she said, emphasizing the importance of making a good impression on visitors.
In addition to the gateways, Lawrence announced that the initiative has secured nearly $150,000 to plant 325 flowering and evergreen trees along various streets. This effort aims to reduce unpleasant odors originating from the river, which can sometimes affect the area.
Road Improvements with Roundabouts
One significant project discussed by Joe Plunk, chief engineer for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet District 3, is the replacement of the traffic light at the intersection of Victoria Street, Old Barren River Road, and Veterans Memorial Highway with a roundabout. This project is made possible through a generous $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Plunk emphasized that the new roundabout aims to control vehicle speed and improve safety, particularly for pedestrians. “They’re going pretty fast through your community, and that puts road users, pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk,” he stated. He assured residents that work would progress swiftly, with all grant funds needing to be obligated by September 2026.
The community left the meeting better informed and excited about the future of Bowling Green. City officials expressed their commitment to enhancing the city’s infrastructure, recreational spaces, and overall aesthetic appeal, ensuring that residents and visitors alike can enjoy the improvements.
