City Council backs Bridal Passage Port marker at state-owned site on America’s Cup Avenue

The Newport City Council voted to express formal support for the Newport Middle Passage (Bridal Passage) Port Marker concept and to authorize preliminary city staff engagement on the proposed site on state-owned land at America’s Cup Avenue.

Advocates described a multi-year effort to secure a memorial honoring African American history in Newport. A community representative told the council the initial Liberty Square plan was relinquished after opposition and that the project team, working with the Tree and Open Space Commission and the Public Sculpture Commission, identified a state-owned parcel between Thames Street and America’s Cup Avenue as a new proposed site. "The new proposal ... is a parcel of old land that's owned by the state on America's Cup Avenue," the presenter said, describing plans for further design, fundraising and compliance with state requirements.

Council discussion included expressions of gratitude to long-time local advocates. A council member thanked project organizers and noted the site's visibility to residents and tourists, saying the location overlooks where historic ships arrived and would provide an appropriate place of remembrance.

Action taken: The council adopted a resolution affirming support to advance the project toward comprehensive design and construction plans and authorized preliminary staff engagement. The motion to approve the resolution was moved, seconded and approved by the council.

The resolution directs staff to proceed with coordination and further review by the relevant commissions and the council as the project moves from planning to formal design and review. No construction funding or final design was approved at the meeting; council remarks and the resolution reference future fundraising and commission reviews.