COVINGTON, Ky. – The City of Covington is continuing its efforts to preserve and restore the historic Frank Duveneck House and Studio, moving forward with the next phase of rehabilitation work following extensive structural stabilization of the once-endangered property.
The City has engaged Merriman Anderson/Architects, a national architectural firm with an office in Covington, to lead the development of architectural plans and construction documents for the historic property at 1226 Greenup St. The firm's work, in coordination with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineering professionals, will establish the framework for the next phase of repairs.
The latest effort builds upon stabilization work completed in 2025 by Structural Systems Repair Group (SSRG), which addressed severe structural deficiencies that had placed the building at risk of collapse. That work included repairing deteriorated foundations, reinforcing compromised walls and floors, and addressing conditions that allowed water and the elements to penetrate the historic structure.
With those initial stabilization efforts completed, the City is now focused on developing comprehensive rehabilitation plans to address the building's remaining needs while protecting its historic character.
Design and construction planning underway
The architectural team began the design development phase on October 12, 2026, with that work scheduled to be completed in early November. Following that review, the architectural and engineering teams are scheduled to begin preparing construction documents throughout the remainder of the year. These documents will provide the detailed architectural and engineering specifications necessary to move the rehabilitation effort toward construction.
Once the final construction documents are complete, the City will submit the scope of work to the National Park Service for approval while concurrently issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a general contractor. Those steps are expected to take place in January 2027.
The rehabilitation effort is supported by two grants that the City’s staff secured: a $300,000 federal Save America's Treasures grant awarded through the U.S. Department of the Interior, along with matching support through Kentucky's Government Resources Accelerating Needed Transformation (G.R.A.N.T.) program.
“The Duveneck House and Studio is more than just a historic building. It is an important part of Covington’s cultural identity and a tangible connection to one of the most influential artists to call our city home,” Kaitlin Bryan, who is helping coordinate the City’s rehabilitation efforts, said. “Every step we take toward stabilizing and restoring this home and studio brings us closer to ensuring that future generations can appreciate its history and the role it has played in our community.”
A court-supervised preservation effort
The City's involvement in the Duveneck House stems from a years-long effort to prevent the deterioration and potential loss of one of Covington's most historically significant properties. In September 2024, the Kenton Circuit Court appointed the City as conservator of the property under Kentucky's Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act. Under the legal conservatorship, the City has the legal authority to possess, control, rehabilitate, and maintain the property without assuming ownership. The arrangement allows the City to undertake necessary preservation work while remaining subject to court oversight.
As part of that process, the City continues to provide periodic status reports to the court documenting progress on the property. The legal conservatorship remains ongoing, and the property's eventual disposition will be addressed through the applicable legal process.
Keeping community partners engaged
As the rehabilitation effort advances, the City will continue meeting with community partners and organizations that have expressed an interest in preserving the Duveneck House and its historical significance. These conversations will provide opportunities to share updates on the rehabilitation process, discuss the progress of ongoing work, and ensure that community stakeholders remain informed as the City moves toward the next phase of restoration.
The City's immediate priority remains protecting the structure, addressing its remaining deficiencies, and establishing a sound foundation for the property's long-term preservation.