Accomplishments

2007 Renaissance on Main Certification for the City of Fort Thomas
Received at the summer conference of Main Street Managers.

2006 Main Street / Renaissance on Main Certification
Ft. Thomas Renaissance was honored at a ceremony along with 81 other communities as a newly certified Kentucky Main Street / Renaissance on Main community on May 31st in Louisville, Kentucky. Certification of the city shows that the city has met the certification criteria through developing and implementing successful projects in design, economic development, organization and promotion, the four-point approach developed by the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Certification also makes the city eligible to apply for $2 million in annual funding through Renaissance on Main, administered by the Governor's Office for Local Development (GOLD).

2005 Renaissance on Main Certification
Ft. Thomas Renaissance was awarded as Certified I on August 4 during the 30th Annual Governor's Local Issues Conference in Louisville. 63 Kentucky cities received the Certified I or II designation. Certified I designation allows Ft. Thomas Renaissance an opportunity to apply for the maximum grant amount of $150,000 available through Renaissance on Main.

Home for the Holidays Walk - In 2001, Ft. Thomas Renaissance with the participation of the local businesses introduced the Holiday Walk that has now become a Ft. Thomas holiday tradition offering our residents a chance to meet the business owners from the Inverness area through the Midway district in a festive atmosphere. The participating businesses and churches dazzle visitors with their festive open houses in their businesses and contribute to sponsorships and gift baskets; making each Holiday Walk memorable.

The evening begins with a tree lighting ceremony in Inverness Park. From there residents begin heading south along the Holiday Walk route visiting the open houses. Along the way there are holiday displays to enjoy; carolers and bell ringers, free horse-drawn carriage rides in the Midway that take riders through Tower Park, free pictures with Santa, and much more.

Merchants & Music was created in 2004 to feature business from the Ft. Thomas commercial business districts along with great musical entertainment. In a matter of 5 weeks Ft. Thomas Renaissance created the event featuring local merchants. Pure Prairie League returned to their Ft. Thomas roots to perform as the music headliner. Also performing were The Bluebirds and a reunion performance by The Ryan Adcock Band.

Merchants & Music was another opportunity for Ft. Thomas Renaissance to share their message and attempt to change residents buying habits to doing business locally. Mark Exterkamp from The Bank of Kentucky and Ft. Thomas Renaissance secretary described the rationale for Merchants & Music by saying, "The Ft. Thomas business districts offer personality and vitality that is key to our community -- they create the heart. This is an exciting way to encourage businesses, residents and visitors to build relationships and celebrate their assets."

Rick Warner, Merchants & Music volunteer and owner of Warner's Restaurant and Rick Warner and Associates said, "Having lived all my life in Ft. Thomas and owning two businesses in town I appreciate how the synergy between the businesses and residents help make our community special. Chairing the Merchants & Music committee let's me share my enthusiasm for what we have in Ft. Thomas. I hope that enthusiasm is contagious!" Ken Bowman of Bowman's Framing and Ft. Thomas Renaissance chairman said, "We were happy to hear residents call Merchants & Music an enormous Ft. Thomas reunion. It's about celebrating and enjoying all that we have. I hope more people join in on the fun."

2005 Renaissance on Main Certifate Awarded

Preserve America Designation - On April 20, 2004, Fort Thomas received this honored designation in a presentation by First Lady, Laura Bush. At that time we were one of 65 communities in the United States to receive this designation. The commitment to our heritage was key in Fort Thomas receiving this honor.

Coffman Realty Façade Grant - In 2004 Coffman Realty, located at 1100 S. Ft. Thomas Ave., received a $10,000 matching funds grant from Renaissance Kentucky for façade improvements. The grant allowed the building be improved according to the Secretary of the Interior's guidelines that will ensure this significant historic property will remain part of the fabric of Ft. Thomas' Midway district.

Website grant - In 2005 Ft. Thomas Renaissance was one of ten Kentucky Main Street Communities to receive a grant to develop a website from the Kentucky Heritage Council. This grant makes it possible for Ft. Thomas Renaissance to have an effective method to convey our message.

Logo design, banners - In 2003 Ft. Thomas Renaissance determined the need to create an identity. The creative talent of Rick Warner & Associates (RWA) offered to help the Board with this challenge. Through brainstorming session and a number of options, a logo that conveys a sense of Ft. Thomas' history, "where we are today", and "working for our tomorrow" was developed.

Streetscape - Grants from Renaissance Kentucky and the State of Kentucky were instrumental in the City's ability to relocate utilities that dramatically enhanced the aesthetics of the center of town. This modification and the related streetscape with attractive sidewalks, street furnishings and plantings make the center of town more inviting and appealing as a place to do business and visit. Bench sponsorships with inscribed brass plaques created a way for current and former residents to leave a legacy while helping to offset costs. Decorative lampposts with banner and hanging basket holders became new opportunities. Rick Warner and Associates helped convert the Renaissance logo design to banners that adorn the Renaissance district. Members of the business community sponsored banners to help offset the costs. The Garden Club contributed the plant material and planted the hanging baskets that bring beauty and color to the Avenue.

Market Study - A Renaissance Kentucky direct appropriations grant funded a market study of the central business district. In 2002 Gem Real Estate Group submitted their conclusions in a report that offers us insight and direction in the economic development of the CBD.

July 4th Fest (2002) - After nearly a 20-year absence of an Independence Day celebration, Ft. Thomas Renaissance and the Fort Thomas Business Association co-sponsored the July 4th Fest held behind the City Building. The following year the Fort Thomas Business Association agreed to handle the event, which we now celebrate as Fourth at the Fort in Tower Park.