Newport reports progress on 100 capital projects; streets, water, parks and airport upgrades highlighted

Newport city officials presented an update on the city’s capital projects during a work session, saying the fiscal‑year portfolio contains 100 projects: 45 in progress, 30 not started, 16 completed and nine on hold.

City Manager Nina said staff selected a subset of projects to highlight, noting staff capacity and timing with state and federal funding as recurring constraints. "We're relying on other sources of funds often," she said, and added that some projects are long‑term or carryovers.

The presentations prioritized projects that affect public safety and daily services. The largest categories citywide are streets and sidewalks, followed by city facilities, water, parks and other infrastructure. Speakers described budgeted amounts, near‑term construction schedules and funding sources for several projects.

Chris, a project manager with the city, described work at the Visual Arts Center, where an aging timber staircase was replaced. The project had an original budget estimate of $125,000; construction costs were about $20,000. "We got a really good deal on it," he said, and staff reported the stairway is safer and more user friendly.

At the recreation center, staff upgraded an HVAC control system installed in 1999. The project was budgeted at $185,000 (75% general fund, 25% room tax). Construction costs are near $176,000 and the system is roughly 90–95% complete; the remaining work awaits arrival of some parts.

Fire Chief Murphy gave an update on the combined‑use facility in Agate Beach being built by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) with shared space for the city. The city has $195,000 budgeted for a final payment to ODF once a certificate of occupancy is issued; the project schedule shows a completion date of Oct. 25, 2025. Murphy said ODF moved its Toledo unit operations to Newport and will run countywide forestry stewardship and wildfire response out of the new facility. A lease agreement for the shared space will be brought to council in the coming months.

Airport staff described a planned automated weather observation system (AWOS) upgrade identified in the 2018 airport master plan. The AWOS project is roughly 90% funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (approximately $450,000) with the city picking up an initial 10% (about $38,650). The upgrade will modernize sensors and replace an older tower with a fold‑down design to reduce OSHA‑related climbing requirements.

On transportation, staff reported a temporary repair selected for Big Creek Road bridge to extend service life while planning for a permanent fix that requires water‑permitting work. The temporary repair had a budget of $203,000 funded from the streets/gas tax fund; the apparent low bid was about $175,000 and construction is scheduled to start just after Sept. 1 and finish in October.

A Safe Routes to School project on Northeast Harney Street (from U.S. 20 to Northeast Seventh Street) is in 30% design. Funding includes about $1,310,000 from the Department of Land Conservation and Development and $823,000 from Northside Urban Renewal; the project will add sidewalks, replace non‑ADA driveways and add pedestrian ramps and a right‑turn lane at U.S. 20. Derek Tocco, Community Development Director, said a separate intersection study showed state traffic signal warrants would not be met at one location but are met at Southeast Fortieth and U.S. 101; "We met 2 of them, 2 of the 8. You only have to meet 1, so we're there," he said.

Stormwater work included a cost‑share with ODF to upsize an undersized storm line on Northeast 70th Street; the city contributed $121,537 to enlarge the line and replaced a deteriorated culvert at Highway 101. The stormwater master plan drove that decision, staff said.

Wastewater and water projects highlighted several urgent needs. Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements are advancing from a recently completed master plan; staff are designing a first phase to replace HVAC and odor control and add mechanized solids handling to reduce manual wheelbarrow work. Staff cited a tentative $3,825,000 estimate for the phase but said funding is not yet fully secured. A pump‑station relocation study for the 50 Fifth Street station (at risk from coastal erosion) has $150,000 allocated for design and will go to the local contract review board in September.

Water staff reported ongoing remedial work at Big Creek dams: an identified 96‑inch metal overflow pipe showed deterioration and was pressure‑grouted earlier; further corrective work is in design for implementation next spring or summer. The city received a $40,000 dam safety grant toward that work. At the water treatment plant, an excess‑recirculation (XR) upgrade was completed in August 2024; the project had a budget of about $873,000 from the water fund and construction costs were roughly $569,000. A proposed storage facility tied to that work was excluded due to funding limits.

Parks updates included completion of a redesigned playground at Sam Moore Parkway, new pavers with play features, replacement of failing retaining walls, and plans to install a new restroom and additional lighting. Parks Director Mike Kavanagh said the downstairs wing at the city’s 60+ center received flood‑resilient rubberized flooring and bathroom upgrades after repeated stormwater intrusion from Highway 20 runoff; "the water comes into our hallways," he said, noting staff can now peel back flooring and dry affected areas if flooding recurs.

Councilor Hickman proposed project signage reading "your tax dollars at work"; staff said preparations for signage are in progress to make the public more aware of completed and ongoing work.

Staff emphasized that many capital projects depend on external funding, permitting and coordination with stakeholders, and that keeping long‑term projects in the capital plan allows the city to carry funding forward when timing precludes completion within a single fiscal year. City staff said they will return with another progress update next year.