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Consultants launch 'Newport 2037' outreach at planning board meeting
Summary
Interface Studio briefed the board on the city’s decennial comprehensive plan update, describing a six‑phase schedule, required state review, public engagement at the Aquidneck Farmers Market and an online mapping/survey, and planned visioning and draft recommendation sessions through winter and spring.
Interface Studio introduced the consultancy team leading Newport’s decennial comprehensive plan update, temporarily calling the project ‘‘Newport 2037.’’ Mindy Watts said the process will run in six phases, beginning with analysis and initial engagement and moving to visioning open houses and draft recommendations before state review.
The consultant team described multiple engagement tools: in‑person mapping at the Aquidneck Farmers Market, an interactive online mapping platform, targeted stakeholder interviews with city staff and local organizations, and a public open house planned for early December. Kevin Hively (economist on the team) and subconsultants including climate‑resiliency specialists were introduced; staff told the board a similar briefing will be provided to the city council later in the week.
Watts emphasized the project will knit existing prior plans into a single comprehensive baseline and seek resident input across multiple touchpoints. Board members were encouraged to participate in advisory and staff working groups during chapter drafting and review.
