C&O Roundhouse Site

The Northern Kentucky Port Authority (NKY Port) entered into a purchase agreement for the landmark former Duro Bag manufacturing site at Madison Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on January 20, 2026 — a pivotal step toward advancing Covington’s next phase of revitalization. The acquisition, made possible through a regional partnership with lending support from the Catalytic Fund and funding from the City of Covington, Kenton County, and NKY Port, also includes investment from BE NKY Growth Partnership.

The nearly 8‑acre site includes the historic Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railroad roundhouse, a rare example of American Round Arch industrial architecture and one of the few roundhouses still standing in an urban setting in the United States. The property also features a more‑than‑200,000‑square‑foot industrial building once home to Duro Bag Manufacturing. The purchase price is $4.5 million, with closing anticipated in Q1 2026. After closing, the partners will begin planning efforts and work to stabilize the property in preparation for future privately led development.

The property holds deep historical significance for Covington. The C&O Railway shaped the city’s early growth, from building the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge in the late 1800s to establishing Covington as a major hub in its rail network. Duro Bag Manufacturing, founded in 1953 by David S. Shor and later led by Charlie Shor for more than three decades, overcame significant financial challenges to become the world’s largest paper bag manufacturer, employing over 2,500 people across North America. In July 2014, Hilex Poly Co. LLC acquired the company, marking a new chapter in its long-standing Northern Kentucky legacy.

The partners will stabilize the property to prepare it for future privately led development.