The Ripley Riverfront Revitalization Project is on schedule with the majority of the work expected to be complete in October of this year.
“Ripley remains on schedule with project substantial completion shown as Oct. 15, 2026,” said Ripley Mayor Travis Arnett in a recent update. “In April, the village and B&J completed underground work for primary wire connections and utility pole relocation. Prus completed the water main tie-in, water meter, and back flow vaults to the restroom building; continued demolition from Market Street east toward Main Street; continued grading, excavation, and ILCAO River Community Projects Status Memo embankment work; and continued preparation for the restroom building and foundation system. The stage wall is complete.”
According to information provided by Arnett, the current project total is $7,784,843.
The proposed April invoice is $390,875.04, with projected May and June invoices of $967,108.00 and $1,129,042.00, respectively, according to information from project manager, Doug McDonald.
The project report shows owner contingency of $276,169.64, with $21,690.41 approved for the transformer and a remaining contingency balance of $256,147.73. Ripley also has active allowances totaling $140,000 for river cleanup, restroom and concession material finishes, and electric scope materials.
“Overall, Ripley is advancing a large and visible riverfront project involving utilities, restroom and concession facilities, stage construction, picnic shelter work, lighting, splash-pad related improvements, river cleanup, and public access improvements,” Arnett said in a recent update on the Riverfront Revitalization Project.
It was around four years ago (2022) when Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, then Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik partnered with the Ohio General Assembly to develop the Appalachian Community Grant Program, an investment that directed $500 million into Ohio’s 32-county Appalachian region.
The funding was to go towards projects included in the Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative, Shovel-Ready Projects, and the Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative.
On Aug. 11, 2025, Governor DeWine was accompanied by his wife, Fran, and three of their 28 grandchildren as they traveled to Brown County to take part in the monumental ground breakings of two multi-million dollar projects, including the Riverfront Revitalization Project on Front Street in Ripley along the Ohio River.
“The big idea was that we wanted to do something special to help our 32 Appalachian counties in the state of Ohio. Fortunately, we had some federal dollars, and so it was the question of how are we going to spend that,” DeWine said of the Appalachian Community Grant Fund. “So, I went to the State Legislature, and I said, ‘Here’s the idea.’ And they approved that money. They approved $500 million to focus on our 32 Appalachian counties.”
The Village of Ripley was awarded $16,387,086 that will go towards riverfront improvements along lower Front Street at the banks of the Ohio River. The improvements will include amenities to allow better access to nearby Underground Railroad and historic sites. A new public gathering space will also be constructed to improve public access to the scenic riverfront. The Village of Ripley has also been planning for the Freedom Landing Boat Dock Project in recent years, which is to be funded through other grant sources and not part of the Appalachian Community Grant Fund projects.
The Village of Higginsport was awarded $6,303,288 for the Slim Sallee Memorial Park Redevelopment from the Appalachian Community Grant Fund Ohio’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative. The Village of Higginsport will revitalize an abandoned ball field along the Ohio River into a seven-acre community park, creating a public gathering space and allowing for connection to the Ohio River. A boat dock and launch from the community park will establish public access to water recreation that currently does not exist within the village. A fishing pier, bridge, and mural will also be incorporated into the park to create a space for outdoor recreation.