A major development plan aims to revive the old shopping center site

BOYD COUNTY, Ky (WSAZ) – A new development plan announced by leaders in Boyd County, Ky. On Friday would transform the former Kyova Mall site into a premier sports, entertainment hub in family, major events, retail experiences, dining and other entertainment. .

The space in Ashland, Ky., Which is about two miles from I-64, will become home to a convention center, hotel and restaurant, Malibu Jack’s, a renovated cinema, a farmers market, a residential area, a sports complex, a distillery and a retail business. companies.

Authorities said on Friday that construction crews would begin work on Monday.

The following facilities were highlighted in the initial plan of the Camp Landing Entertainment District:

The Northeast Kentucky Convention and Exhibition Center will be 75,000 square feet. It will be built from a $ 5 million renovation project by the Body County government, making it one of the largest convention and exhibition spaces in eastern Kentucky.

The plan highlights a Hotel which will be attached to the Palais des Congrès, comprising 300 rooms and will have a restaurant on the first floor. The hotel will also house additional, smaller meeting spaces.

Another construction to be funded by the Boyd County government will be the the Market at Camp Landing. The total investment will be $ 1 million, officials said. The space will be used as a traditional farmer’s market as well as a venue for wine tastings, wedding receptions and other uses of the venue. It will be one of the largest farmers’ markets in eastern Kentucky.

The largest store in the complex would be a Malibu Jack’s. It will cover 135,000 square feet and will include a 16-lane bowling alley, a full go-cart track, a mini-golf course, a laser tag arena, indoor roller coasters, 3D amusement rides and an amusement park. the cutting edge of technology. arcade. Other amenities include a jungle gym, birthday rooms, and full food and beverage service.

“This Malibu Jack’s will be the crown jewel of the company and make it one of the top destinations for families in Eastern Kentucky.”

The current freelance cinema will come with the sale of the mall, officials say. It will be refurbished with modern facilities such as beer sales. The restaurant space will also be modernized, according to the new management group.

the Cedar Knoll Sports Complex would offer year round volleyball, basketball, wrestling, pickleball and the opportunity to play other sports.

“Tournaments throughout the year would create a constant flow of visitors to the facility and have a huge impact on our local economy. “

“Barboursville and Kanawha County have annual football tournaments,” said Tourism Director Andrew Steele. “You get four or five, that could revolutionize Boyd County.”

The new management group says the distillery on the property would either be a small artisanal distillery or an extension of one of the larger established distilleries.

“We believe that an experience-based satellite location for one of the largest distilleries would be an attractive opportunity for them to be the first stop on the Bourbon Trail.”

Boyd County Tax Court hires Retail Strategies for community development and retail recruiting. “The Commons” will have four to five retail stores.

The plan also provides for the construction of a housing complex in order to recruit and retain young professionals in the region.

Other elements of the original plan include the possibility of a kayak slide and a walking trail.

The Rural King business already on the property will remain, officials said. According to the new developer, the business is in the sixth year of a ten-year lease, but they hope the business will stay on the property even longer.

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