Bowling Green awards Phase 1 of Riverfront Park, aims for spring 2026 completion

The Bowling Green City Commission on Nov. 18 approved the award of Phase 1 construction for Riverfront Park to Scott & Murphy Inc., accepting a bid not to exceed $4,305,769 and authorizing staff to begin work as soon as funding and contracting are finalized.

City staff described Phase 1 as foundational work that will include a new boat ramp beneath the pedestrian bridge, new trails, seating areas and site work designed to set the footprint for later phases. Jeff Meisel and project staff said the project is funded through a mix of grant and local sources, including a National Park Service grant that provided a preliminary award in February 2020 and later full release.

"This is gonna forever change the quality of life, future economic development of both sides of the river," project lead Jeff Meisel said, urging the commission to approve the award. Meisel and other staff told commissioners the team expects construction to begin in December, with most work completed in spring or early summer 2026, weather permitting.

Public and commission comments emphasized the project's regional potential and community benefits. "We're trying to build a regional destination park," one staff member said, noting an estimated market area of millions of people within a three-hour drive. Commissioners asked for renderings and more detailed phase maps; staff said the public information office would publish updated renderings after the holidays.

The commission approved the item by roll call. Staff said subsequent phases will include more complex elements — including a whitewater feature under later design work — and that Phase 1 intentionally sets the park footprint back from the riverbank to accommodate future reshaping and construction.