Downtown Development

GETTING TO KNOW THE BIG O DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT

By: Danny May // Photo By: Jamie Alexander

REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN

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 attractions, a war memorial monument, and a concession stand. Since its reopening in 2012, Smothers Park has become a regional draw, bringing new energy to downtown shops and restaurants.

Around that same time, Boardwalk Pipelines relocated from South Frederica to Second Street. A year later, the Owensboro Convention Center and Hampton Inn Waterfront opened, followed by the Holiday Inn Riverfront the next year. The city concurrently implemented an extensive revitalization project, improving downtown streets, sidewalks, and lighting along Second Street. As foot traffic increased downtown, new business ventures popped up left and right as buildings that had been vacant for years found new tenants opening boutique shops, restaurants, bars, and barber shops.

The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 2018 on the corner of 2nd and Frederica Street with state of the art exhibits, Woodward Theatre for live events, an outdoor courtyard and stage, a concession area, and gift shop. Followed by a second parking garage which opened in 2019 to help with parking downtown and the opening of The Enclave at Riverfront, a multi-use building that now houses Sip wine bar on the street level and condos on upper floors, with space for future restaurants.

By the time Friday After 5 celebrated its 25th season in 2021, entertainment stretched from the RiverPark Center to the patio behind the Convention Center. Capitalizing on the energy downtown, new community events such as Holiday Stroll, classic car CruiseIns, and Live on the Banks music series add entertainment opportunities on other nights of the week as well.

A third downtown hotel is in the works to accommodate the growing demand for lodging as the Owensboro Convention Center continues to book larger conferences, events, and concerts.

Owensboro is no longer a sleepy river town. Downtown is awake and alive, the 54 corridor is expanding by leaps and bounds, and South Frederica is as busy as ever. We still have a small town feel, but our attitude is looking up, just like our growing skyline.

DID YOU KNOW?

USA Today recognized Smothers Park in a list of “10 Best: Playgrounds with way more than slides and swings” in 2015. The article describes “a new breed of playground” designed to welcome kids of all ages while taking special consideration for those with disabilities and sensory issues.

Smothers Park is named after frontiersman William Smeathers, who settled in Owensboro in 1797

Smothers Park has become the centerpiece of Owensboro’s revitalized downtown district. It stretches five city blocks and covers five acres of land with a threelevel playground that’s completely handicapped accessible, which also entices parents and grandparents to play right along with their little ones.

The people of Owensboro and visitors from across the region have found it’s easy to spend hours on a visit to Smothers Park. According to Public Events Director Tim Ross, that was the idea from the beginning. “The park was designed to offer something for everyone. There are amenities for all ages. Parents, grandparents, and kids love the playground. Everyone can enjoy the viewing fountains, the swings, and the overlook. And many of our older generation love the Shelton Memorial, which gets a tremendous amount of visitors because it’s such a beautiful monument and it gives such great respect to our POWs, MIAs, and veterans.” The newest monument, the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, was installed in 2020.

The “Mayor’s Mile” riverwalk spans the riverfront from the RiverPark Center through Smothers Park all the way down to the Convention Center and hotels, giving foot traffic easy access to all the amenities downtown.

Even when there’s not a live band playing, there is music playing from outdoor speakers hidden in the landscape.

Smothers Park is also the home of Owensboro’s Christmas tree, which is ceremoniously lit each December. In 2021, the City of Owensboro added a synchronized light show to the event. O

PHOTO BY AP IMAGERY

BY THE NUMBERS

37

SWINGS OVERLOOKING THE OHIO RIVER

20

SLIDES AT LAZY DAYZ PLAYGROUND

4

VIEWING FOUNTAIN FEATURES INCLUDING 1 CASCADE

24

WATER PAD SPRAY FOUNTAINS IN THE KID’S SPLASH PARK