The Newport City Council voted 4 to 3 on Wednesday night to approve the execution of a Letter of Interest with the National Sailing Hall of Fame that would allow the nonprofit to purchase the first and second floor of the Armory.
After almost an hour of discussion, and testimony from more than a dozen supporters and opponents, the following resolution was supported by Mayor Harry Winthrop, Vice Chair and 2nd Ward Councilor Lynne Ceglie, Councilor At-Large Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, and Councilor At-Large Marco Camacho. It was opposed by 1st Ward Councilor Susan Taylor, Councilor At-Large Jamie Bova, and 3rd Ward Councilor Kate Leonard.
The full communication from the City Manager can be seen here.
Mayor Winthrop and the City Manager did state during the discussion that any sales agreement that is drafted would have to go in front of City Council again for a final vote.
Tonight’s Newport City Council meeting lasted a total of 1 hour and 33 minutes, with the majority of the time and meeting spent discussing the future of the Armory. A full video of the meeting can be viewed here.