The deadline to complete the 2020 Census is coming up soon. The City of Newport depends on everyone being counted to get the right representation, to receive our share of funding, and accurately plan for the future. If you have not yet completed the census, please take action to do so. You can fill out the census online at 2020census.gov until September 30.
At this Wednesday’s City Council meeting there are two items on the docket concerning the future of the Pell Bridge project and the North End. We are receiving a communication from VHB construction regarding RIDOT’s plan to address soil pollutants and the remediation strategy. RIDOT has worked with RIDEM to determine the strategy and will be communicating progress with the public as construction happens.
The Council is also receiving a communication from Patricia Reynolds, the Director of Planning and Economic Development, with the final draft of the North End Urban Plan. We will receive the draft and refer it to the Planning Board for their review and recommendation. The Planning Board will hold one or more meetings to review the draft and gather public input. Once the Planning Board has completed its review, they will send the document back to the City Council with their assessment and any recommended adjustments. The Council will then publicly consider the document again and this will another opportunity for public input before the Council votes on the approval and adoption of the North End Urban Plan. Please take this opportunity to begin reviewing the plan and bring your feedback to the Planning Board and Council in the coming weeks.
During last week’s Council meeting there was a lot of discussion on a possible skate park. This project has been organized by Friends of Newport Skate Park, and they have been fundraising for eventual construction. We acted during the last meeting to formally request Friends of Newport Skate Park to hold a public workshop with both the City Council and the general public. This workshop is being scheduled and I will make sure it is properly publicized so that there is opportunity for maximum public input.
The RI Secretary of State has sent mail ballot applications for the general election to every registered voter in the entire state. The deadline to return the application for a mail ballot is October 13, 2020 at 4 pm; if you find yourself running up against this deadline, it can returned in the dropbox at City Hall.