Covington officials debate revoking unopened America Street right-of-way after administration declines maintenance

Covington city officials discussed whether to revoke an unopened right-of-way along America Street after city administration representatives said the city would not assume responsibility for maintaining the road or its drainage.

The matter matters because the strip is a dead-end area with drainage problems that would cause flooding unless addressed, and revoking the right-of-way would shift maintenance and drainage responsibility to adjacent property owners or a future buyer. Council members discussed selling the parcel at its appraised value but did not record a formal vote in the provided transcript.

A staff member said, “Even if we do allow it to be a gravel roadway, there is more consideration than just the surface of the road. We do have to address the drainage issues and the fact that it forms a bolt at the end where the dead end in the road. And in order for the road to not go…