Land Grant has worked with the firm Solidlight out of Louisville to develop a plan for the Kentucky River Interpretive Center to be housed on the main floor of the KSU Downtown Annex.

A charrette was held by the firm to assess the overall concept and objectives of the University in planning for the KY River Interpretive Center. Written input was gathered as well as several follow up meetings with an internal committee.

Based on this input, Solidlight developed a Phase I plan/design. This copy was reviewed and approved by the KSU internal committee. A hard copy is available for review.

  • The firm was then contracted to develop a Phase II design, cost estimate, and timeline. That plan is also available. The timeline was developed and circulated. The approximate cost as designed was $1.2 million. That is display only and does not include needed building improvements and modifications.
  • Later meetings between KSU and Capital Construction of the State (DECCA) came to the conclusion that the project would have to be bid out as a turnkey job. That was in June, 2014.
  • Land Grant has submitted all requested documents by NIFA. The University is currently waiting for the Facility Grant funds to be released by NIFA and to start the internal (partial) renovation of the building and construction of the Kentucky River Exhibit.

Rosenwald Center for Families and Children:

Rosenwald currently has 32 children enrolled. The Center cannot enroll more students until more staff is hired. A recommendation has been made for two teachers and two teacher assistants. The Center is waiting for the individuals to be offered the job and hired. This should help get families off of the waiting list and get the Center closer to the operating capacity of 90 students. Some of the positive attributes of the Center include the following:

  • Governor's Office of Early Childhood Visit
  • Current 3 STAR accreditation and future NAEYC accreditation
  • Very high ERS (environmental rating scores) for classrooms
  • Candidate for the early Head Start collaboration grant