COVINGTON KY
Aug. 20 2024
This minor outing was another tragedy of errors by local governments. I'd never seen so many closed paths and sidewalks, and streets with huge holes dug in them. I used to read about the old big city machines providing poor service, but this was worse, and several local cities were afflicted. The 2010s were the decade of our cities - but the 2020s were the decade of our cities' decline, and this outing smashed the 2020s right in our faces pie-like.
A big culprit in our cities' downfall? Gentrification. This is north on Garrard at 4th. This confirmed a rumor that the city allowed parking in this gentrified neighborhood only by residents - even though people in the rest of the city pay taxes. Exclusive parking privileges are not extended to the rest of the city.
This represents the redo of the ramps at I-75 and KY 8. The new setup has the northbound I-75 entrance going south for a few blocks and then looping back north. The old ramp ahead was restricted to emergency use.
You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why. Because it bips, that's why. This is Montgomery Street, and the red brick house at center was the home of Haven Gillespie. Together with John Frederick Coots, Gillespie wrote "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town."
From 10th, this is south on the alley west of Madison.
Tenth at Madison. This hole in the street sums up gentrified America. When I visited McKeesport, Pa., that city had rough roads, but at least its roads were passable. McKeesport's livability was thanks to its lack of gentrification. But this photo is from Covington - not McKeesport.
This is a good scene, so don't expect it to be safe from developers' wrecking ball. This is Pleasant at Madison. It has the brick pavement that has become all too rare in these parts.
The bridge on 15th was one of many closed bridges in the area. It had been closed since about 2007. But we see a cyclist taking exception to that Allowed Cloud.
North on a narrow stretch of Neave south of 15th.
West on 18th at Madison.
South on the unnamed road from 18th to Shaler. The bridge on 19th is seen.
West on Sterrett at Madison.
West on 24th - again at Madison.
West on 20th at Glenway.
East on 16th at Glenway. The yellow sign has one of those funky Covington fonts. Up ahead, 16th goes under the floodwall.