Newport’s North End development commission is seeking to establish a new governing body to better manage the area’s complex redevelopment needs, according to commission chair Colin Kane.
Kane presented an update to the Newport City Council on Jul 24, outlining the commission’s progress and future plans for the approximately 40-acre area that includes former Navy property and land freed up by recent road realignment.
“We’re going to focus for the next three or four months on governance options,” Kane told the council. “We’re going to come into the council, we hope, in the first quarter, with how we suggest it get done.”
Kane emphasized the need for consistent political support from city leadership, state officials, and congressional delegates to realize the area’s full potential over the coming decades.
“This is going to be decades,” Kane said. “Consistent, strong political support. Buy in at the state House speaker, president, Senate and consistent support, political support from our congressional delegation. That’s it.”
The commission is exploring governance models like the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission in Providence, which has dedicated staff and resources to oversee a large urban redevelopment project.
“If they’re compelled to be done standalone, will see a small apartment building, maybe one small hotel and a shopping centre. It will not come close to realizing the important work done in the North End,” he said.
The commission plans to present governance options to the council in early 2024, potentially requiring state legislation to establish a new entity with appropriate authority.
Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong expressed support for the commission’s efforts, emphasizing the need to move quickly to have a structure in place before the Rhode Island Department of Transportation begins property disposition in late 2024.
“Us having whatever, that center of excellence, potential acquisition entity in place by the next year would be ideal, which means being on a clear legislative path by this upcoming legislative session,” Khamsyvoravong said.
The commission is seeking additional resources to draft potential legislation and governance structures. Kane said the next steps include socializing proposals with stakeholders and building political support at the city and state levels.
Watch the portion of the meeting below;
