Newport approves purchase of 8 acres at former Rhyne property for police facility, Main Street extension

The Newport City Council approved the purchase of 8 acres of the former Rhyne property for $150,000 to provide a site for a new police department and animal-control building and to create a roughly 2-acre, 60-foot right-of-way to extend Main Street to Coke Boulevard.

City Administrator James Finkham told the council the plan calls for about 6 acres for the buildings and approximately 2 acres reserved for the right-of-way. “We have the money. We’ve got the money in the bank to do it. It’s not going to put us in any kind of bind. We’re not going to have to borrow any money,” Finkham said during the meeting. He said the negotiated price of $150,000 was lower than earlier asking prices and is less than several alternate parcels the city had considered.

The parcel is owned by a group of private investors; Daniel Conard and others were present at the meeting, Finkham said. Council members said the site’s central location and the planned street extension could ease downtown congestion and open development opportunities along the new corridor.

Council approved the purchase by roll call. Alderman Mike Hansel, Alderman Leona Ottinger, Alderman Randy Reagan and Alderman Steve Smith each voted yes.

Finkham said the city has already met with an architect and that best-case timing for a new police facility is about two years. He also said the chosen parcel is not in the flood plain. The council did not set a construction schedule at the meeting; staff said the next steps include closing the purchase and coordinating design and permitting work.