NKU's law school, med school could move to former IRS site in Covington
Northern Kentucky University's law school could move from the school's Highland Heights campus to the former IRS site on Covington's riverfront. The University of Kentucky's College of Medicine, which works in partnership with St. Elizabeth and NKU, could also make the move.
The potential change is part of a $150 million proposal to create the Commonwealth Center for Biomedical Excellence, a campus focusing on innovation, entrepreneurship and life sciences, according to a press release Wednesday from Kenton County.
The move was revealed in the first draft of the state's budget Wednesday. Republican Sen. Chris McDaniel, a Kenton County resident, leads the Kentucky Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee that released the draft.
“The Senate’s proposed budget, thanks to the work of Sen. Chris McDaniel, aided by Senate Majority Leader Damon Thayer, is a historic opportunity to diversify Northern Kentucky’s economy beyond its core strengths in industrial, commercial, and residential real estate,” Kris Knochelmann, Kenton County judge executive said in the news release.
The new campus would be located about six miles north of NKU, which is in Campbell County. But it could offer opportunities for recruitment and growth for the programs and the city of Covington.
The news release said the move would provide the chance to grow the medical school's class by 20%. For law students, the plan would put it in closer proximity to five courthouses and within two miles of the 25 largest law firms.
“We appreciate Sen. McDaniel’s leadership and hard work in bringing the parties together to make this happen on Covington’s riverfront," Mayor Joe Meyer said in the release.
It's not the first time the senator has come through for development in the city.
In 2022, he landed $15 million to build a life sciences laboratory within the OneNKY Center, which is located less than a quarter-mile away from the former IRS site.
The new NKU developments, though, are not a sure thing. The House passed its version of the budget last month, The Courier Journal reported. Now the two arms of the General Assembly have to hash out an agreement on the state's next two-year spending budget.
About the UK College of Medicine in Northern Kentucky
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine has its main campus in Lexington and two others in Bowling Green and Morehead, according to its website. At NKU, the school accepts 35 medical students per year. About 200 total students graduate from UK's medical school every year.
About NKU's Chase law school
The Salmon P. Chase College of Law has been at Northern Kentucky University for the past 52 years. In 2023, it attracted students from 10 states and had a total enrollment of 367 students, per the university's website. Its notable alumni include state and U.S. lawmakers and judges.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NKU's law school, med school may move to former IRS site in Covington
