Commission orders site visit, design‑review after demolition request for 134–136 Spring Street

The Newport Historic District Commission voted to continue the application for 134–136 Spring Street after hearing that the building had been significantly compromised during in‑progress work and that an engineering report concluded the structure was structurally deficient. Counsel for the applicant, David Martland, told the commission the applicant had obtained a structural assessment that recommended replacement; neighbors submitted a written objection raising concern that significant historic fabric had already been removed.

Commissioners pressed the applicant for assurances that demolition was not the only option and emphasized preservation first. Chair (S12) told the room, “our mission is to preserve and protect Newport’s assets,” and commissioners repeatedly said they were not prepared to approve demolition without further review. Counsel David Martland (S16) said the applicant would make the storefront windows available and agreed to the commission’s request for a site visit and a design‑review committee that includes a structural engineer and a preservation specialist. The commission set a continuance to the regular meeting on Oct. 8 and conditioned the continuance on the convening of both a site visit and a design‑review process during the intervening period.

Why it matters: 134–136 Spring Street is a contributing structure in the historic district; commissioners said the building’s loss would be a community‑level harm and that any path forward must include outside preservation expertise and a transparent salvage plan. The commission’s action preserves the building’s status while ensuring the applicant and the commission secure technical input on what fabric can be saved and what reconstructed elements would be required under the city’s demolition and preservation standards.