Construction projects in NKY discussed by Port executive director during meeting with the Covington Rotary club
Northern Kentucky Port Authority's Major Projects Set to Open Next Month
The Northern Kentucky Port Authority (NKY Port Authority) is gearing up for the grand openings of two significant projects: the OneNKY Center and SparkHaus, both scheduled for September 2025.
The OneNKY Center, a 47,000-square-foot corporate office building, is located at the foot of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge in Covington. This four-story building will be home to ten Northern Kentucky growth organizations, including the NKY Chamber of Commerce, OneNKY Alliance, and BE NKY Growth Partnership. Notably, it will also feature a 15,000-square-foot LifeSciKY life sciences laboratory and startup incubator on its second floor. The NKY Port Authority owns the property for this building [1][3][5].
The OneNKY Center is more than just an office space. It aims to be a regional innovation hub, fostering collaboration and growth within the life sciences sector. LifeSciKy will manage the lab on the second floor, providing opportunities for startups and research in this field.
SparkHaus, an innovation and entrepreneurship space, is another project of the NKY Port Authority. With a construction cost of $16 million, SparkHaus is designed to support startups and foster innovation in Northern Kentucky. Construction for SparkHaus began in October 2024, and it is set to open next month [1][5]. Located at 727-732 Madison Avenue, this redeveloped historic building will serve as an entrepreneurial hub for the region.
The NKY Port Authority is a governmental economic development entity, filling regional development gaps and supporting growth in Northern Kentucky. It is funded by the Build + Elevate NKY campaign and overseen by the BE NKY Growth Partnership [1][5]. Their projects, such as the OneNKY Center and SparkHaus, reflect a vision to create a "front door" for Northern Kentucky, consolidating growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship under one roof to boost the region’s economic impact and influence within Kentucky [3].
All tenants in the OneNKY Center are non-profit organizations. The NKY Port Authority works to support and facilitate growth in Northern Kentucky, not to compete with the private sector.
As for future projects, the location for the Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence, a $125M project, has yet to be selected. This project, which will house the Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law and the University of Kentucky College of Medicine's Northern Kentucky campus, is planned to be located in Covington [4].
Sen. Chris McDaniel (R-Ryland Heights) helped secure $125M in state funding for the center in March 2024, and SparkHaus received additional $6M in state funding through Kentucky House Bill 1 in April 2024 [2].
The NKY Port Authority serves to answer questions about how it can support Northern Kentucky and is working with Kenton County to deploy $2M of site readiness funding for storm sewer infrastructure at the former site of the Drawbridge Inn [6].
SparkHaus will be operated by Blue North, the innovation connector in the region, and the structure of the Northern Kentucky Port Authority is a governmental entity [1]. Christine Russell is the executive director of the NKY Port Authority and VP of Strategy at BE NKY Growth Partnership [7].
These projects are a testament to the NKY Port Authority's commitment to supporting and facilitating growth in Northern Kentucky, creating a vibrant and innovative region that attracts businesses and talent.
[1] NKY Port Authority press release [2] Kentucky House Bill 1 [3] NKY Port Authority vision statement [4] Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence [5] OneNKY Center [6] NKY Port Authority storm sewer infrastructure project [7] BE NKY Growth Partnership executive team
- The OneNKY Center, a corporate office building in Covington, is owned by the Northern Kentucky Port Authority (NKY Port Authority), which aims to foster collaboration and growth within the life sciences sector.
- SparkHaus, an entrepreneurial hub in Covington, is another project of the NKY Port Authority, designed to support startups and innovation in Northern Kentucky.
- The NKY Port Authority, a governmental economic development entity, is funded by the Build + Elevate NKY campaign and overseen by the BE NKY Growth Partnership.
- The OneNKY Center houses ten Northern Kentucky growth organizations, including the NKY Chamber of Commerce, OneNKY Alliance, and BE NKY Growth Partnership.
- The Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence, a $125M project, is planned to be located in Covington, and will house the Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law and the University of Kentucky College of Medicine's Northern Kentucky campus.
- The NKY Port Authority is working with Kenton County to deploy $2M of site readiness funding for storm sewer infrastructure at the former site of the Drawbridge Inn.
