Newport commissioners approve design-build agreement for Festival Park; $8.5M budget for first phases

The City of Newport Board of Commissioners voted to approve Commissioner's Order No. 13 on Feb. 9, authorizing the mayor to execute a progressive design‑build agreement with the selected contractor to advance Festival Park design and initial construction work.

The order—moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by roll-call—directed the mayor to sign a progressive design‑build agreement with the contractor recommended by staff. The clerk recorded five affirmative votes (Commissioners Rekton/Rechton, Sutherland, Radwanski, Vice Mayor Smith Morrow and Mayor Thomas L. Cadulli Jr.). The motion passed and the meeting adjourned.

City presenter Josh (staff lead on the park effort) told the commission the festival-park effort was scaled down from a prior concept that exceeded $60 million to a phased project the city expects to implement for approximately $8,500,000. He said the work will occur in two phases: phase 1 (progressive design-build to finalize engineering and construction documents compatible with the community vision) and phase 2 (construction). Josh said staff selected the recommended contractor through an RFP and internal review; the contractor will hold at least two meetings with the park committee during design.

Key features described in the presentation include a retaining wall expected to reclaim roughly 35,000–40,000 square feet of green space, a central plaza and a splash pad, new playground and high-quality landscaping, and a 30-foot-wide multi‑use path divided into three 10‑foot sections to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and occasional festival vehicles. The multi‑use path component is tied to an OKI grant and must follow KYTC’s Local Public Agency (LPA) process; presenters also said the project requires coordination with SD1 utility work and possible Army Corps approvals.

On funding, staff said the city had roughly $5 million of bonding in hand and an OKI grant to cover the multi‑use path; the $8.5 million budget reflects a combination of bonding, the grant and other sources, with staff noting the city will continue fundraising to add amenities beyond the base scope. Commission discussion acknowledged a funding gap and asked staff to pursue additional pots of money—Southbank funding, philanthropic contributions and sponsorships were mentioned as potential sources.

Public commenters welcomed the plan and asked staff to preserve or add water access and boating amenities. Terry Bernstein (BB Riverboats) asked whether SD1’s pipeline alignment would encroach on existing dock or parking areas and whether the retaining wall would prevent vessels from landing; staff responded that preliminary plans preserve access and that a landing area and tapered design would be included during the design phase. Jen Shepherd and others urged kayak storage, fishing access, and continued attention to litter and maintenance funding. A member of the public asked whether maintenance funding was included; staff and commenters discussed using festival revenues and fundraising to support ongoing maintenance.

Staff projected a roughly six‑month timeline for phase 1 design work once SD1 coordination and clarifications are complete. Josh said a meeting with SD1 scheduled for the week following the commission meeting would provide more precise sequencing and allowed staff to finalize construction timing. The contract approved by the order is a design-build agreement that will move the project into detailed engineering and value‑engineering rounds before construction procurement.

The commission’s recorded approval moves the project from conceptual planning to detailed design and positions staff to coordinate with SD1, KYTC and bonding/funding partners. Staff said they will return with refined schedules, final contractor scope and continued community engagement during the design phase.