Semiannual capital‑projects update: airport siding, park rehab, maglocks and major water projects highlighted

Newport — At its Jan. 20 work session, Newport staff gave the City Council a semiannual update on capital projects across departments, highlighting completed facility work, park renovations, pavement experiments and water‑system upgrades that rely on grant funding.

Airport Director Lance Vanderback said siding, reroofing and color‑matching work on a previously leased FedEx building were completed in mid‑July, leaving funds to improve a nearby after‑hours shelter. Parks Director Mike Cavanaugh detailed the Aga Beach Neighborhood Park rehabilitation — expanded play areas, ADA‑accessible walkways, drainage upgrades and dog‑park improvements — describing the project as just under $1 million with a grant award close to $400,000 and a ribbon cutting set for Feb. 9.

Cavanaugh also described a small but high‑impact project: installation of maglocks on park restrooms. The project cost about $14,000; staff estimated it will save roughly $40,000 per year by reducing staff time spent locking and unlocking restrooms daily. The city reported some vandalism on a door plate at the Deco District but said custodial checks have reduced overnight occupation incidents.

Public Works reported a slurry/crack seal pilot on Northeast Eads completed in October for $24,000 with preliminary expectations that the treatment could extend pavement life by three to five years depending on weather and moisture intrusion. Engineering staff reviewed several street projects including the Northwest Biggs Street partnership with Samaritan Hospital (cost‑sharing on roadway and full waterline replacement by Samaritan), design work on West Olive Street that includes bike lanes, and a landslide‑driven sewer repair on NW 73rd that will likely require a lift station.

Derek (staff) summarized South Beach placemaking efforts: bids are closing, easements and rights of way are in progress with the port and aquarium, and about $400,000 has been earmarked for public art through OCCA. He noted the Rogue property is in bankruptcy court and that interested brewery operators had expressed interest but no decisions or new operators were confirmed.

Engineering’s Todd Dragic presented two major water projects: a main‑tank replacement program and a combined pump‑station/tank replacement project that would extend a transmission main on Highway 101. Phase 1 design for the main tanks was funded with FEMA hazard mitigation grant design money (federal 90%, state 10%), covering about $700,000 of design; staff said the grant’s period of performance expires March 2026 unless extended. Another FEMA grant batch was extended to Sept. 2028 with design at 95% and staff preparing a construction funding application.

Councilors asked several operational and access questions, most prominently whether a west‑side bus stop could be added as part of NW 60th improvements; staff said adding a stop was not part of the current scope, that drainage, retaining‑wall and ODOT right‑of‑way constraints complicate the work, and pledged to contact Lincoln County transit and ODOT to explore whether a stop or shelter can be accommodated without delaying construction or requiring additional funding.

No formal votes were taken; the council thanked staff and adjourned the work session.