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COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Law students at Northern Kentucky University may someday study in the same building where inmates used to serve time.
NKU is considering moving its Chase College of Law into the Kenton County administration building and former jail at the foot of the Roebling Suspension Bridge in Covington, The Kentucky Enquirer (http://cin.ci/1Ra0JIv) reported.
"This has been talked about for a long time," said Covington City Commissioner Steve Frank. "I'm very excited. I think it will attract more businesses that cater to the (law school students). I think education and access to education downtown is one of the things we tried to promote."
If the proposal comes to fruition, it will move the law students and faculty from NKU's campus to Covington's riverfront.
Kenton county officials have debated the fate of the 10-story administration building since the jail moved to a new facility in the southern end of Covington in 2010. The building is 40 percent vacant but still houses offices for the Kenton County administration, clerk, sheriff and commonwealth's attorney.
Kenton County will commission a feasibility study over the next three to four months that will determine the cost of renovating and preparing the building on moving the college into the administration building
The law school would take up most of the building, meaning the county offices would move out. Kenton County and the city of Covington are considering moving into a joint government center that would be built in the heart of town in a $65 million mixed-use development known as Duveneck Place.
But the move is still far from a done deal. The Kenton County Fiscal Court would still have to approve it.
NKU spokesman Chris Cole said it's "too early to speculate" whether the move will happen. The county approached the university about the possibility, and the proposal received a warm reception, Cole said. Many at the university see it as a positive.
"If this were to happen, it's a win-win situation," Cole said. "Our programs would benefit by being in an urban setting of Covington. You've got a swirl of economic development and revitalization. It's a benefit for our programs as well as Covington and the county."
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Information from: The Kentucky Enquirer, http://www.nky.com
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