Newport’s Department of Public Services Announces Public Workshop for Thames/Spring Streetscape Improvements Project – May 24, 2016, 5:30 to 7:30 PM, Edward King House

The City of Newport has embarked on a major initiative to plan for the future of Thames and Spring Streets. These streets serve as vital corridors for transporting people, goods, and services and provide a rich sense of history through building architecture, quaint storefronts, and access to the waterfront. They are a lifeline for the many businesses along the street and important gateways for residents and visitors.

Thames and Spring Streets are vital to the fabric of Newport. In 2014, the City initiated the Thames & Spring Streetscape Improvements Project to propose ways to enhance these two streets in a contextually sensitive way that is respectful of the historical nature of the area.

The Newport City Council established and appointed a project advisory group comprised of area residents and business owners to assist the city staff and its consultant team with developing this project. Phase I of this project is currently underway and involves creating a vision and a conceptual plan for roadway and sidewalk improvements, stormwater management, and “placemaking”—creating spaces where people can enjoy all these corridors have to offer.

Following a workshop in November 2015, and a Grow Smart RI workshop in June 2015, residents, business owners, advisory task force members, and project staff have been meeting to develop this vision and conceptual plan. Next steps will be to finalize the design concepts and to forward recommendations to the Newport City Council.

The City Of Newport hopes to hear from people who live, work, shop, dine here and regularly use these streets as drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

The next participative public meeting will be held:

Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at the Edward King House, 35 King Street
5:30 – 6:00 PM: Open House

6:00 – 6:30 PM: Get to Know the Plan

6:30 – 7:00 PM: Presentation of the Vision

7:00 PM: Discussion/Audience Polling

7:30 PM: Adjourn
All are welcome to attend. For those unable to attend in person, the opportunity to participate is available through the Engage Newport webpage HERE.