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Newport council opens CIP hearing as councilors press for Narragansett sidewalks, question $7.25M public-safety line
Summary
At a public hearing on the 2027–2031 capital improvement program, councilors pressed the administration to turn sidewalk plans into construction—especially for Narragansett Avenue—while questioning a $7.25 million line tied to a North End public safety complex feasibility study.
The Newport City Council opened a public hearing on the proposed 2027–2031 capital improvement program and spent significant time probing when residents will see construction, not just plans, for long‑promised sidewalks and other projects.
“If that project isn't underway this summer, you will not have my vote on this budget,” said Councilor Sy, criticizing what he called repeated delays on sidewalk work and pressing administration officials for a concrete spend‑down plan.
The administration said the city is stacking outside funding where possible. Jim Nolan, the director of finance, told the council that the city won a $4,000,000 Safe Streets for All grant and that “the largest single chunk of that $4,000,000 award is going to go to the Narragansett Avenue sidewalk, and bike lane project,” a move Nolan said is intended to avoid overburdening city taxpayers.
Councilors also questioned a $7,250,000 line described in the CIP as a North End Public Safety Complex feasibility study. At least one councilor said the figure sounded more like land acquisition plus design than a study. Nolan confirmed the line includes land costs (approximately $5,500,000) as well as architectural and site work, and said prior bond allocations of about $13,000,000 relate to land acquisition and design for the complex.
Councilors and staff also discussed other CIP items that drew public interest: permitting and potential timelines for Cliff Walk repairs, playground upgrades and whether accessibility and inclusive play features should be prioritized at Pell Park, and the need for a secure impound lot for seized evidence vehicles. Police Chief Lehi Ryan Duffy described the impound project as a secure, paved, monitored area to preserve chain of custody for evidentiary vehicles.
The hearing closed after public input and council comment; several consent calendar items were approved that evening, and the council received the Tree and Open Space Commission’s 2026 master‑plan update. The administration said it will return with clarifications on specific CIP funding sources and timing for the Narragansett Avenue work.
