BG RIverfront, budget move forward
Published 6:00 am Monday, June 22, 2026
The sun begins to set on the trails at Weldon Peete Park on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, after $16 million across two years has been secured from the state for phase four of Riverfront Park project. (Grace McDowell / The Daily News)
While ongoing discussion surrounding data centers was the main topic for Bowling Green city commissioners last Tuesday, attention was also given to some other initiatives.
The city formally accepted a $16 million allocation from the Kentucky General Assembly that will go toward planning and design for phase four of Riverfront Park, which will sit to the east across River Street from the portions of the park currently under construction.
“This was a heavy lift (in) our ask and it was a big deliver,” Mayor Todd Alcott said during the meeting. “What this means is we’re going to be able to complete all four phases of the park within five years.”
Phase four will occupy a 54-acre site bound by Barren River and River Street. The city secured the land in the early 2000s and the allocation from the state will be split, with $8 million coming this year and another $8 million next.
Neighborhood and Community Services head Brent Childers told the Daily News previously that the majority of the allocation will be spent on design for infrastructure needs in the area, which will support the Barren River Whitewater Park once it opens up. If any money is left over, it may be used on some early amenities.
“It’s about how can we get people to the start of the Whitewater, how can we get all those things built so that we can have the supporting facilities … and what amenities do we think are possible as part of these initial stages,” Childers told the Daily News last week.
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While meetings concerning phase four have started with MKSK, the firm leading the design of the park, Childers anticipates the wheels will really start turning by July.
“Hopefully, in July, we’ll have a little bit more focus and start doing scope of work and doing a contract amendment to get them going on the design,” he said.
Budget
City government is set for the coming fiscal year as commissioners gave final approval to the city’s fiscal year 2027 budget, one that stands several million dollars lower than last year’s budget.
The city’s all funds budget for FY2027 comes in at $180.8 million, down from FY2026’s total of $188.7 million. General fund numbers are similarly lower, with the FY2027 general fund budget standing at $110.2 million, down $6.7 million from last year.
City Manager Jeff Meisel told the Daily News previously that the decrease is primarily due to less-than-expected collections from occupational taxes, the city’s primary source of revenue, over the past few months.
“We’ve just seen some major reductions in different sectors, whether it be manufacturing or different sectors like that,” Meisel said. “And so it’s kind of accumulated.”
Occupational taxes make up 59% of the city’s general fund revenue. Through March 31 this year, occupational collections totaled a hair under $48.1 million against a target figure of $52.1 million, a 5.8% discrepancy.
Despite a lower budget, the city still anticipates completing several large-scale projects over the coming year. These include new turf soccer fields at Preston Miller Park, new public storm shelters and pickleball courts, and continuing work on the city’s new municipal building project.
Commissioners will meet again July 21.
About Jack Dobbs
Jack covers city government for the Daily News. Originally from Simpson County, he attended Western Kentucky University and graduated in 2022 with a degree in journalism.
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