The Covington Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night approved the purchase of 1730 Russell St., a 3.68-acre property that includes a 68,000-square-foot building that used to house Cincinnati Tag & Supply.

 

The location will replace Public Works’ existing home at the end of Boron Drive in Latonia. That property, which includes a waste transfer station, was sold to Rumpke Waste & Recycling last month as part of an $8 million deal in which Rumpke will move its Northern Kentucky headquarters and 50 jobs to Latonia.

 

Neighborhood Services Director Ken Smith said the City will spend the next 60 days appraising the Russell Street property, inspecting the building, and doing environmental surveys. He noted that the sale was contingent upon the City’s satisfaction with the results of the due diligence and the completion of the Rumpke deal within 90 days. 

 

At that point, the City would begin making modifications needed to accommodate the Department, its 60-70 employees (a number that fluctuates with seasonal hires), vehicle fleet, equipment, and road salt dome. The property has entrances off Russell Street and is tucked up against the CSX railroad tracks.

 

Public Works Director Chris Warneford said he looked forward to the move.

 

“I’m for it 110 percent,” Warneford said. “It’s more centrally located, and the guys are anxious to move away from the waste transfer station - it will be a better climate to work in.”

 

The purchase price is $2.65 million.

 

The Public Works Department maintains the City’s streets and sidewalks, parks, facilities and fleet; and urban tree canopy, with operations that include filling potholes; paving road surfaces: repairing sidewalks, curbs, and catch basins; sweeping streets; plowing snow; collecting leaves; cutting grass and weeds; pruning, removing and planting trees; fixing playground equipment; and repair and maintenance of police cruisers; fire trucks; and dump trucks.