NEWPORT 2037 - Comprehensive Plan Update

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Hey, Newport!

The City is embarking on a resident-driven process to update our community’s Comprehensive Plan.

A Comprehensive Plan is a document that sets out the city’s future vision and priorities, guiding growth, development, and preservation for decades. The plan includes decisions on land use, policy changes, and spending priorities for public projects.

We are working closely with our consultants at Interface Studio, who have assembled a team of interdisciplinary experts that includes Toole Design, Ninigret Partners, and Woodshole Group!



During the 18-month planning process, we’ll be talking about the future of:
City Services & Facilities
Economic Development
Housing
Historical & Cultural Resources
Land Use
Natural Resources & Energy
Open Space & Outdoor Recreation
Transportation
Water
Climate Change & Natural Hazards






Our Comprehensive Plan Update is designed to listen.







Engagement by the numbers:





263+
Focus Group Participants

Focus Groups analyzed existing data and shared their lived experience / expertise through the lens of the current Comprehensive Plan goals. Focus Groups met in May 2026 and reconvened July 21st & 22nd.
40+

Interviews & Small Group Meetings


13



Presentations & Briefings
to City Council, Planning Board, NCPAC & more

230+

Ideas and Insights
added to the Collaborative Map

30
Newport Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Appointees

The NCPAC is integral to ensuring the Comprehensive Plan Update is informed and understood by the Community. The NCPAC will meet once a month until the project concludes.
8
Open Public Events
3

Small Community Meetings
attended by Planning & Development Staff
944


Community Surveys Completed


Project Phases & Timeline


1. Analysis & Engagement
Sep. '25 - May '26
This phase involves heavy community engagement, including the release of our Community Survey, bringing the travelling Community Map to various public spaces, hosting Open Houses, and continued presence at various community meetings where activities and crucial conversations take place.




2. Vision, Goals & Strategies
June '26 - Sep. '26
Following engagement, the project team translates the insight gathered from the Newport community into visions, goals and strategies for the next 20+ years. These are brought back to community groups for further input.




3. Draft the Plan
Sept. '26 - Nov. '26
With continued feedback, the project team combines all Comprehensive Plan components into one, cohesive document for review.




4. Revisions & Local Approvals
Nov. '26 - Dec. '26

The draft will be shared with the community, reviewed by the Planning Board, and City Council. The process concludes with a local adoption of the plan.



5. State Approval Process
Jan. '27 - May '27
Once locally adopted, the Comprehensive Plan must be sent to the State of Rhode Island for review and approval.







Hey, Newport!

The City is embarking on a resident-driven process to update our community’s Comprehensive Plan.

A Comprehensive Plan is a document that sets out the city’s future vision and priorities, guiding growth, development, and preservation for decades. The plan includes decisions on land use, policy changes, and spending priorities for public projects.

We are working closely with our consultants at Interface Studio, who have assembled a team of interdisciplinary experts that includes Toole Design, Ninigret Partners, and Woodshole Group!



During the 18-month planning process, we’ll be talking about the future of:
City Services & Facilities
Economic Development
Housing
Historical & Cultural Resources
Land Use
Natural Resources & Energy
Open Space & Outdoor Recreation
Transportation
Water
Climate Change & Natural Hazards






Our Comprehensive Plan Update is designed to listen.







Engagement by the numbers:





263+
Focus Group Participants

Focus Groups analyzed existing data and shared their lived experience / expertise through the lens of the current Comprehensive Plan goals. Focus Groups met in May 2026 and reconvened July 21st & 22nd.
40+

Interviews & Small Group Meetings


13



Presentations & Briefings
to City Council, Planning Board, NCPAC & more

230+

Ideas and Insights
added to the Collaborative Map

30
Newport Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee Appointees

The NCPAC is integral to ensuring the Comprehensive Plan Update is informed and understood by the Community. The NCPAC will meet once a month until the project concludes.
8
Open Public Events
3

Small Community Meetings
attended by Planning & Development Staff
944


Community Surveys Completed


Project Phases & Timeline


1. Analysis & Engagement
Sep. '25 - May '26
This phase involves heavy community engagement, including the release of our Community Survey, bringing the travelling Community Map to various public spaces, hosting Open Houses, and continued presence at various community meetings where activities and crucial conversations take place.




2. Vision, Goals & Strategies
June '26 - Sep. '26
Following engagement, the project team translates the insight gathered from the Newport community into visions, goals and strategies for the next 20+ years. These are brought back to community groups for further input.




3. Draft the Plan
Sept. '26 - Nov. '26
With continued feedback, the project team combines all Comprehensive Plan components into one, cohesive document for review.




4. Revisions & Local Approvals
Nov. '26 - Dec. '26

The draft will be shared with the community, reviewed by the Planning Board, and City Council. The process concludes with a local adoption of the plan.



5. State Approval Process
Jan. '27 - May '27
Once locally adopted, the Comprehensive Plan must be sent to the State of Rhode Island for review and approval.






  • Check It Out - Feedback from our Open House!

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    As we enter our last project phase and begin drafting our Comprehensive Plan Update, our Consultant have put together some graphic exhibits that show feedback we gathered from our August 2026 Open House, and our September 2026 Tabling at the HEZ Movie Night. Thank you to all that took the time to join and share your thoughts! If you're interested, scroll up and click on the PDF located on the righthand side titled "Feedback from Our Open House!"

    Stay tuned for more updates as the Newport 2037 Draft is prepped for review.

    As we enter our last project phase and begin drafting our Comprehensive Plan Update, our Consultant have put together some graphic exhibits that show feedback we gathered from our August 2026 Open House, and our September 2026 Tabling at the HEZ Movie Night. Thank you to all that took the time to join and share your thoughts! If you're interested, scroll up and click on the PDF located on the righthand side titled "Feedback from Our Open House!"

    Stay tuned for more updates as the Newport 2037 Draft is prepped for review.

  • Final Thoughts! Share your feedback on our Open House Goals & Strategies by 9/4 at 8:00 pm

    Share Final Thoughts! Share your feedback on our Open House Goals & Strategies by 9/4 at 8:00 pm on Facebook Share Final Thoughts! Share your feedback on our Open House Goals & Strategies by 9/4 at 8:00 pm on X (formerly Twitter) Share Final Thoughts! Share your feedback on our Open House Goals & Strategies by 9/4 at 8:00 pm on Linkedin Email Final Thoughts! Share your feedback on our Open House Goals & Strategies by 9/4 at 8:00 pm link
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    CLICK HERE to access our online form and share feedback regarding our draft Goals and Strategies for Newport 2037, shared at our in-person Open House on 8/27. PDFs of our Boards are available at the top of this page, or by clicking this link. This form will close at 8:00 pm on Friday, September 4th, and will be the final opportunity to submit feedback before the first draft of Newport 2037 is produced for community review.

    CLICK HERE to access our online form and share feedback regarding our draft Goals and Strategies for Newport 2037, shared at our in-person Open House on 8/27. PDFs of our Boards are available at the top of this page, or by clicking this link. This form will close at 8:00 pm on Friday, September 4th, and will be the final opportunity to submit feedback before the first draft of Newport 2037 is produced for community review.

  • 8/27 - NEWPORT 2037: Community Open House RSVP

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    RSVP HERE

    August 27th / 5:30 - 8:00 pm / City Hall, Council Chambers

    Please join us in person at our FINAL Open House to review our draft Comprehensive Plan goals, strategies and actions for Newport 2037. We will also have materials to provide insight on our process and engagement to date, and how that informed where we are now. For questions, please contact the Planning and Development department!

    RSVP HERE

    August 27th / 5:30 - 8:00 pm / City Hall, Council Chambers

    Please join us in person at our FINAL Open House to review our draft Comprehensive Plan goals, strategies and actions for Newport 2037. We will also have materials to provide insight on our process and engagement to date, and how that informed where we are now. For questions, please contact the Planning and Development department!

  • Latest Updates - July 2026

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    Our Consultant Team, led by Interface Studio, will be joining us again next week from July 20th to 23rd. Tune in to our Joint Workshop with Planning Board and City Council on July 20th starting at 6:30 pm in person at City Hall, or virtually via Newport Community TV. Throughout July 21st and 22nd, our Consultant Team will facilitate Focus Groups with key Community Stakeholders, including members of Boards and Commissions, local organizations, City Staff, and more. Our Newport Comprehensive Advisory Committee will also meet with our Consultant Team on 7/23. If you have questions regarding our second round of Focus Groups, or anything else, please email rtrefethen@newportri.gov.

    Our Consultant Team, led by Interface Studio, will be joining us again next week from July 20th to 23rd. Tune in to our Joint Workshop with Planning Board and City Council on July 20th starting at 6:30 pm in person at City Hall, or virtually via Newport Community TV. Throughout July 21st and 22nd, our Consultant Team will facilitate Focus Groups with key Community Stakeholders, including members of Boards and Commissions, local organizations, City Staff, and more. Our Newport Comprehensive Advisory Committee will also meet with our Consultant Team on 7/23. If you have questions regarding our second round of Focus Groups, or anything else, please email rtrefethen@newportri.gov.

  • Latest Updates - May 2026

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    Our Consultant Team joined us last week, May 11th - 15th, facilitating a total of 19 meetings, including 15 Focus Groups, presentations to City Council and Planning Board, and our first in-person meeting with the Newport Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee!

    To gain some insight on what we talked about, take a peek at this presentation shared with the Planning Board on May 11th. The presentation includes 10 key Takeaways from our Public Engagement, and draft goals for the existing Comprehensive Plan Chapters.

    Our Consultant Team joined us last week, May 11th - 15th, facilitating a total of 19 meetings, including 15 Focus Groups, presentations to City Council and Planning Board, and our first in-person meeting with the Newport Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee!

    To gain some insight on what we talked about, take a peek at this presentation shared with the Planning Board on May 11th. The presentation includes 10 key Takeaways from our Public Engagement, and draft goals for the existing Comprehensive Plan Chapters.

Page last updated: 18 Sep 2026, 01:14 PM