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Newport approves $100,000 purchase of riverfront lot to unblock river-walk extension
Summary
The Board of Aldermen approved buying a Tipp Brown riverfront parcel for $100,000 that staff said will remove a longstanding obstacle to extending the city's river walk and create space for a future park and farmers market.
The Newport Board of Aldermen voted June 10 to purchase a riverfront parcel owned by Tipp Brown for $100,000, a transaction city officials said will allow the long-delayed river-walk extension and development of a riverfront park.
City Administrator James Fincher presented the request, telling council the lot adjoins the former police department property and has been a stumbling block in efforts to extend the river walk. Fincher said the seller's asking price is $100,000 and that the parcel's appraisal is roughly $20,000 higher.
Fincher said the city has negotiated with the owner but had not reached the seller's price until this proposal. City staff also noted grant funding and flood-related timeline extensions that would support moving forward with the river-walk project once the property is assembled.
Council discussed demolition and site cleanup: Fincher said the dilapidated building on the lot would be removed and that staff is seeking professional hauling and demolition quotes. He estimated cleanup could cost under $10,000 and that, if so, the city might not need to formally bid that work.
Council approved the purchase by roll call. Afterward staff said follow-up steps will include finalizing a purchase agreement, completing title work and contracting for demolition/cleanup. Parks and recreation and administration staff will coordinate next steps and report back to council with schedules and grant integration details.
Council members and staff framed the purchase as a long-term investment to complete a 24-year effort to extend the river walk and create an active riverfront area for events such as a farmers market; no detailed timeline for construction or park programming was presented at the June 10 meeting.
