[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6555795,"mediaKeyId","3339763-298d7a9c6fa252ad9e876e057d04446e","parentId",3339763,"title","Council hears update on Main Street property negotiations and railroad right-of-way constraints","audioSeconds",122,"startMs",335000,"endMs",457000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339763-298d7a9c6fa252ad9e876e057d04446e&start=335&end=457","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339763-298d7a9c6fa252ad9e876e057d04446e/thumbnail_335000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6555795/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Council-hears-update-on-Main-Street-property-negotiations-and-railroad-right-of-way-constraints","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555795-aaac9a00849c838687d7b702e92b4eb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568799&Signature=o5X3ky7AZCIcsuVgFb-KDLOtxd~9xCmA59REOi3ND0zKQ9iP2OO1UutcSTDl~x7-NAMs7zbKZLfZK6yoqFCNrGgz6L5GqTinLBToaZlQpb16axsC29y-~QM2gj4vHMetF9ekWnxrQ3HVMU7wiX~2mUOplD98Nvl6~ISWE-Fl0mBROIrUXuMJ3NiiXawNy~zDgGovFrPdEZwESX6vpiEJJrGCd0Kchy-S5HHu5TWfmac2-NiyhObFBPxNVf99cwnxiRc9fDW0JlYDwVAhTFjbWfNVUXNIfStSVuj46nunwWRTfjdsfAd6QSHDOXrWRgMF7xoutztPJHW7virtc75Hfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport","date","2025-05-16T14:53:49Z","article","City Administrator James Fincher and staff briefed the council about negotiations over Main Street properties and constraints posed by the adjacent railroad right-of-way.

Fincher said a prospective regional buyer, identified in the meeting as Aaron McMahon, has agreed to purchase several Main Street lots that are part of a broader revitalization plan. He said the deal would ideally align with a planned streetscape and roadwork project so the city and private parties would \"rip it up once and make everybody mad for 18 months instead of doing it 3 times over the next\" several years.

Councilors and staff also discussed buildings owned by Christie Wu (referred to in the meeting as Miss Wu or Christie) and separate church property. Fincher said the buyer understands demolition will be required where appropriate and that the buyer \"wants to do Main Street all at the same time.\"

Several speakers raised a railroad-related constraint. Fincher said the railroad has a rule that if a building within its right-of-way is torn down, the owner must rebuild within a specified timeframe or face restrictions; during the discussion staff and councilors referenced timeframes including 90 days and 180 days and noted some uncertainty. Alderman Steve Smith, who the meeting identified as retired from the railroad, and staff said the railroad's right-of-way control also covers 100 feet measured from the center of the tracks, which can affect lots adjacent to Main Street. Fincher said that concern has caused some property owners to delay demolition while they seek buyers who will rebuild quickly.

Fincher said staff would continue to explore a possible workaround with the railroad and try to coordinate demolition, sale and city streetscape construction so work happens once rather than in multiple phases.

Ending

City staff said they will follow up with additional checks on railroad rules and continue negotiations with the prospective buyer; councilors did not take a formal vote on policy changes during the update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Newport TN City Council Meeting May 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff said a prospective buyer has emerged for several Main Street lots but demolition and railroad right-of-way rules complicate a coordinated streetscape project; councilors discussed timing, railroad rebuild triggers and the need to coordinate demolition and public works work.","taxTitle","Newport, Cocke County, Tennessee","taxId",71273,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6555801,"Newport farmers market draws growing crowds, changes hours after quick vendor growth",100,70000,170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339763-298d7a9c6fa252ad9e876e057d04446e&start=70&end=170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339763-298d7a9c6fa252ad9e876e057d04446e/thumbnail_70000.jpg","/articles/6555801/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Newport-farmers-market-draws-growing-crowds-changes-hours-after-quick-vendor-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555801-682a9edb8bd1378aece7fd8656959319/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568799&Signature=NjkBs9zmQusl-T2CZIRdLOj5WAzMBQYtk-wH7f44DDC-BRNRP6ZWcNF0xcpcu7pqnF6Fg07Z~PSjwBpAp043t5Z6jb8mFd3w7C0XovN~F~o7fNihRJtrENSFruPnUFYZniClQ5aI~1dQbUHOE353o3yOVW-M72JgYauO4GozPS9LYxiNeU4bN~vSHZF3YLM71pscyJ~IddHDBc6MM~o9h-2F85MwS0egbqK76frGqTOveiP3duCZX83VwtC~pvRyujfoSpcfNjJ01yk6n4NKUEnlWwvPDLmo5hU6Gk2Hc8XTjqH~kS115ojP~A8ksiiYhSf8sYT0UZideC6OzjeAWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Administrator James Fincher told the Newport City Council that the downtown Farmers Market has expanded in its opening weeks and is drawing healthy crowds.

\"The Farmers Market opened 2 Saturdays ago and has now been open for 2 Saturdays and it's going very well,\" Fincher said. He said vendor numbers rose quickly, from five to eight in the span of a week, and the market averaged about 100 people per day in its first two weekends. The market previously opened at 8:30 a.m. and had been scheduled to stay open until 1 p.m., but Fincher said vendors were often sold out by 11:30 a.m., so staff adjusted the schedule to close at noon.

Fincher said the city has ordered additional canopies for vendors after starting with five canopies and then ordering five more to meet demand. He credited Regina, the event organizer, for the market's layout and early success and said he had received positive comments from the community.

Ending

City staff will continue to monitor participation and vendor demand; Fincher said they had purchased extra canopies to accommodate anticipated growth and will keep an eye on weather and logistics as the season progresses.","City Administrator James Fincher told the council that the Farmers Market has expanded from five to eight vendors and is averaging about 100 visitors in its first two weeks; staff adjusted hours to close earlier because vendors were selling out.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6555805,"Newport City Council approves budget amendment, zoning changes, Hampton Way adoption and multiple contracts and bids",91,984000,1075000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3339763-298d7a9c6fa252ad9e876e057d04446e&start=984&end=1075","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3339763-298d7a9c6fa252ad9e876e057d04446e/thumbnail_984000.jpg","/articles/6555805/Newport/Cocke-County/Tennessee/Newport-City-Council-approves-budget-amendment-zoning-changes-Hampton-Way-adoption-and-multiple-contracts-and-bids","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555805-29e44dbf538aac85ac4b16b4dc81f7cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568799&Signature=nNMyZe1NBUeZiGgL8mE7vPf1qEvI1wwWObzq~5U4y67WAFObj30walZcXOGlMAzM-w9kY6qjzI7ms8Ms3FLUrtoNiUIj~x0XfBGrBhHZwmyV3SZoajrA5aR4VA20rrJH-fJtUnpGqBMDpQlhupZbySFr2w44CEFjpmT0I9YMaG6J49WXeTv4nIH6LBzMqtqVk5MoHRX3xc7CtEOGEmABavkct6bC3M9iDkdfZcy-ePy7mkwkozB6kCSUHGVA7hnLWzCWqQA9P5ua7YiKKshLWZZeAfDFzQoyjdJRtkbsjVs9P~CvbWJxANQahTmg3TJr4~cC9bLzwPgk59Lgy3yuVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Newport City Council voted to approve a series of ordinances, a street adoption resolution and multiple contracts and bids during a regular meeting.

Council members approved the second reading of ordinance 2025-O-4, amending the city's operating budget and capital program for fiscal year 2024-25; they also passed the second readings of ordinance 2025-O-5 to rezone a parcel on West Highway 2570 from A-1 (agricultural) to C-2 (commercial) and ordinance 2025-O-6 to add overlay districts to chapter 5, section 501 of the city zoning code. The council adopted Resolution 2025-O-9 to bring Hampton Way into the city street system and rename it Hampton Street.

The council also approved the city's annual road maintenance contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for $62,032.15 and a package of departmental bids and purchases, including brush truck repairs, vehicle replacements, building repairs and equipment for public safety and parks. Several of those staff-recommended awards were discussed briefly and passed by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-O-4 (second reading): approved by roll call; motion carried.
- Ordinance 2025-O-5 (rezoning West Highway 2570): approved by roll call; motion carried.
- Ordinance 2025-O-6 (zoning overlay districts, second reading): approved by roll call; motion carried.
- Resolution 2025-O-9 (adopt Hampton Way as a city street, rename Hampton Street): approved by voice vote; motion carried.
- TDOT annual road maintenance contract: approved for $62,032.15.
- Hiring an architect for the police department and animal control (Smeltzer Architects): approved.
- Brush truck repair (CMI Equipment): approved for $12,633.11.
- Pickup truck for street department (Chevrolet): approved for $23,950.
- Sewer replacement at the Tanner Building (Teddy Jones Construction): approved for $39,000.
- Storage building for Tanner Building (Custom Crafted Construction): bid discussed in the packet at $41,086; the motion recorded an amount of $82,172 when called for vote (see provenance notes below).
- Painting the Tanner Building second floor (Repainting): approved for $15,798.
- Self-contained breathing equipment for fire department (sourcewell contract): approved for $23,483.
- Community center gym floor refinish (Carolina Hardwood Construction): approved for $24,144.25.
- Playground equipment for parks and rec (Miracle Playgrounds and Sourcewell items): approved for $28,505 (seven pieces, freight included).

Council members and staff kept discussion focused and procedural on most items; where staff provided additional context (for example, the TDOT contract and the architect recommendation), councilors asked clarifying questions before voting.

Ending

The approvals clear the way for several capital and maintenance projects across Newport, from street and drainage repairs to parks upgrades and public-safety equipment purchases. Several of the items approved will require procurement follow-up and scheduling by staff before work begins.","At a council meeting, Newport aldermen approved a fiscal-year budget amendment, two zoning measures, a zoning overlay update, adopted Hampton Way as a city street and approved a slate of contracts and equipment purchases including a TDOT road-maintenance contract and several department bids.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears update on Main Street property negotiations and railroad right-of-way constraints

Newport farmers market draws growing crowds, changes hours after quick vendor growth

Newport City Council approves budget amendment, zoning changes, Hampton Way adoption and multiple contracts and bids