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Newport council receives Discover Newport petition and schedules July hearing on tourism improvement district
Summary
City Council accepted a petition from Discover Newport to form a Rhode Island tourism improvement district that would assess lodging properties (initially 18+ rooms). The council scheduled a public hearing for July 24; staff and Discover Newport estimated roughly $350,000 annually under current assessments and a small city administrative pass-through.
Discover Newport representatives presented a petition to form a Rhode Island Tourism Improvement District and the council voted to receive the communication and place a hearing on the July 24 docket.
Tim Walsh and Catherine Farrington, speaking for Discover Newport, explained the new TID framework under state law and said the district would allow member lodging properties to set an assessment (example cited: $1.50 per occupied room) to fund marketing and visitor services. "Right now it amounts to about $350,000 a year," a speaker said while describing current yields, and the city would receive a three percent pass-through fee for clerical support.
Councilors asked about oversight, district plans and whether the package could address overtourism concerns and sustainability. Discover Newport said analytics and improvement-plan elements (accessibility, sustainability, trolley/shuttle programs) could be part of district-funded investments. The council approved receiving the petition and set a public hearing for July 24; owners proposed to be assessed will receive 30 days' written notice of the hearing.
The move starts a public review process; further specifics about assessment levels and the final district plan will be developed with lodging owners and reviewed at the public hearing.
