Newport voters interested in learning more about the City’s proposed $98.5 million bond proposal have a new resource. Earlier this week, the City launched a new online guide for residents to preview the ballot question and learn more about the projects that the City hopes to realize should voters approve the referendum on Nov. 5th.
The guide, which can be found on the City’s website at www.CityofNewport.com/Bond, details the proposed scope of the bond, which is intended to make investments in Infrastructure, Resilience, and Community.
The city hopes to fund projects through the bond’s passage, ranging from relatively straightforward, such as the reconstruction of the Elm Street Pier and Perrotti Park bulkhead, to more ambitious, like a design for daylighting Elizabeth Brook, reimagining Easton’s Beach, and activating the former Maher Center on Hillside Avenue.
Funding for repairing the Cliff Walk, removing the Van Zandt Bridge, and design of a new North End Public Safety Complex are also included in any potential bond funds. So too is the final disposition of the Rogers High School construction project, which is expected to be complete in time for the 2025-26 school year.
However, the passage of Question 6 is the first step in realizing any of the identified projects. Similar to other infrastructure projects undertaken by the City, any project funded through bond proceeds would need to be presented to public in detail before going through the requisite public bidding process and securing final approvals from the City Council.
Listed below are the projects and allocations for the $98.5 Million bond referendum
RESILIENCE & SUSTAINABILITY
Perrotti Park Bulkhead & Renovation of Harbor Master Building
$20,000,000
Elm Street Pier Improvements
$2,000,000
Cliff Walk Repair Matching Funds
$3,750,000
Seawall Repairs
$2,500,000
Easton’s Beach Nourishment Study & Program
$11,200,000
Easton’s Pond Hardening Project-Stormwater Share of Potential Grant Match
$5,375,000
Elizabeth Brook Study & Preliminary Design; North End Stormwater
$5,375,000
COMMUNITY FACILITIES
North End Public Safety Facility-Acquisition of Land/Design/Engineering
$13,000,000
Redesign and Renovation of Maher Center
$5,000,000
Infrastructure
ROADS & SIDEWALKS
Van Zandt Bridge Removal; Regrading & Lower Road
$12,000,000
FY2025 & FY2026 Road Improvement Program
$6,000,000
Aquidneck Park Sidewalks
$115,000
PUBLIC FACILITIES
Rogers HS Landfill & Disposition of Remaining Soil; Rogers Completion
$10,000,000
Easton’s Beach Demolition
$800,000
PROGRAMMATIC
FY2025 Final Allotment for MUNIS ERP Conversion
$777,260
Bond Issuance Costs
$607,740
Total Amount Authorized by General Assembly for Referendum $98,500,000
