City of Bowling Green, Kentucky

Downtown BGKY is the heart of the city and a cultural destination as Corvette’s historic hometown and hub of Kentucky’s Cave Country. This thriving Downtown’s foundations are its vibrant food and drink scene, big small town charm, arts and entertainment community, growing residential opportunities, and international influence.

The Downtown Development Division’s goal is to be an economic development driver by building the best Downtown BGKY destination experience for locals and visitors. Growing connections with more opportunities internally, assistant coordinating events, and growing communication between Downtown and all of Bowling Green will elevate the Downtown BGKY brand and destination presence. Opportunities can be found from scenic Mitch McConnell Park to Western Kentucky University’s campus.

Goals include building a Downtown database for development opportunities and improved communications, an event calendar to share any happenings within Downtown or citywide event that may impact Downtown (and provide marketing strategy planning for Downtown businesses), establishing the digital and social Downtown BGKY destination brand, launching an Entertainment Destination Center with iconic BG branding, and ultimately growing existing Downtown assets appealing to young professionals, growing families, and anyone seeking a vibrant Downtown experience.

Fountain Row: Entertainment Destination Center

Duncan Hines Days

Downtown Parking Leases

Downtown BGKY - Destination Site

News & Announcements

Duncan Hines Days 2024 Recap

Jun 14, 2024

At least 17,400 people attended a Duncan Hines Days event, representing at least 15 states based on zip code tracking, and a conservative economic impact of $2.96 million was spent in the BG/WC area. This community development event continues to improve our quality of life.

City donates recovered Southern Queen Hotel’s historic Shake Rag items to WKU Special Collections Library

Mar 18, 2024

The City donated an extensive collection of historic Shake Rag artifacts from the Southern Queen Hotel to the Western Kentucky University Special Collections Library last week. Almost 800 items were recovered last summer during the process of stabilizing the property to save it for restoration.

City unveils new Riverfront Park master plan

Jan 17, 2024

Downtown Bowling Green’s much-anticipated Riverfront Park master plan was unveiled at today’s Board of Commissioners retreat at Sloan Convention Center. A project in the works for over seven years, the new Riverfront Park is set to be a pivotal moment in the history of downtown’s development.

January 2024 Downtown Meet Up Minutes

Jan 16, 2024

The January Downtown Meet Up was hosted by The Healing Spirit at 300 College Street on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. These are the Minutes of that meeting.

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