GETTING TO KNOW THE BIG O
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
By: Danny May // Photo By: Jamie Alexander
R E V I TA L I Z I N G DOWNTOWN
extensive
By the time Friday After 5 celebrated its
revitalization project, improving downtown
25th season in 2021, entertainment stretched
streets, sidewalks, and lighting along Second
from the RiverPark Center to the patio behind
Street. As foot traffic increased downtown,
the Convention Center. Capitalizing on the
new business ventures popped up left and right
energy downtown, new community events
as buildings that had been vacant for years
such as Holiday Stroll, classic car Cruise-
found new tenants opening boutique shops,
Ins, and Live on the Banks music series add
restaurants, bars, and barber shops.
entertainment opportunities on other nights
concurrently
Owensboro is currently in the second phase of a major downtown development. The complete revitalization of the riverfront began ten years ago with the expansion of Smothers Park, which has since become the crown jewel of the downtown district. The park features a three-story playground, splash pad, fountain
implemented
an
The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and
of the week as well.
attractions, a war memorial monument, and a
Museum opened in 2018 on the corner of
A third downtown hotel is in the works
concession stand. Since its reopening in 2012,
2nd and Frederica Street with state of the art
to accommodate the growing demand for
Smothers Park has become a regional draw,
exhibits, Woodward Theatre for live events,
lodging as the Owensboro Convention Center
bringing new energy to downtown shops and
an outdoor courtyard and stage, a concession
continues to book larger conferences, events,
restaurants.
area, and gift shop. Followed by a second
and concerts.
Boardwalk
parking garage which opened in 2019 to help
Owensboro is no longer a sleepy river
Pipelines relocated from South Frederica to
with parking downtown and the opening of
town. Downtown is awake and alive, the 54
Second Street. A year later, the Owensboro
The Enclave at Riverfront, a multi-use building
corridor is expanding by leaps and bounds, and
Convention
Around
that
same
time,
Inn
that now houses Sip wine bar on the street level
South Frederica is as busy as ever. We still have
Waterfront opened, followed by the Holiday
and condos on upper floors, with space for
a small town feel, but our attitude is looking
Inn Riverfront the next year. The city
future restaurants.
up, just like our growing skyline.
14
Center
and
Hampton
The 2022-23 Greater Owensboro Relocation Guide
