Paducah cuts ribbon on new riverfront and excursion pier

City leaders and elected officials gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the newly redesigned Paducah riverfront and excursion pier.

Daron Jordan, who introduced himself as "city manager for the city of Paducah," said the event was meant to honor the "spirit" of leaders who persisted through setbacks and helped bring the project to completion. Mayor George Bray thanked contractors and staff and noted the project paused during the COVID-19 pandemic before resuming as costs stabilized.

Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson traced the project's origins to a 2018 federal grant application and described a sustained local effort to secure funding and complete construction. "In November of 2019, we got the call. And Paducah was awarded a $10,400,000 BUILD grant," she said.

State House Floor Leader Steven Rudy and other state representatives appeared at the ceremony; Rudy and others described state funding that helped close the gap created by rising construction costs. Organizers invited attendees to post-ceremony tours, a display of the new riverboat from the fire department, refreshments and an evening movie in the park.

The city asked staff and officials to step up to the ribbon for a group photo and a ceremonial cut to mark the pier's opening to the river. The city described the day as both a celebration of the completed construction and a moment to look ahead to how the riverfront will be used by residents and visitors.