Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council accepts $3 million state grant for Cliff Walk repairs; officials say $15–20M total still needed
Summary
The council accepted a $3 million state grant for repairs to the Newport Cliff Walk, part of a broader funding plan that currently totals about $11.75 million in hand but leaves an estimated $15–20 million needed overall; staff said federal, state and bond funds are being combined and design/permitting work will take months.
The council voted to accept a $3 million grant from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management intended for Cliff Walk repairs. Theresa Crane, director of Resilience and Sustainability, said the grant is one piece of a larger funding package that also includes a $5 million congressionally directed spending allocation (pending state processes) and $3.75 million from a voter‑approved bond, bringing the total in hand to about $11.75 million.
City staff said estimated costs remain uncertain but current design and industry estimates put the needed total between $15 million and $20 million because the project will be constructed from the land side, complicating access and raising materials and equipment costs. Director Riccio and other staff explained permitting and design workflows, including a likely six‑to‑nine month review window before construction procurement.
Councilors praised the collaborative approach to secure multiple funding streams and urged transparency and timely reporting as the projects proceed through design and permitting phases. The council approved acceptance of the state grant to add to the city's existing Cliff Walk funding portfolio.
