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:





15
Focus Groups

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 will reconvene July 20th - 23rd.
30+

Interviews & Small Group Meetings


9



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.
5
Open Public Events
3

Community Meetings
attended by Planning & Development Staff
892


Community Surveys Completed


Project Phases & Timeline


1. Analysis & Engagement
Now - 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:





15
Focus Groups

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 will reconvene July 20th - 23rd.
30+

Interviews & Small Group Meetings


9



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.
5
Open Public Events
3

Community Meetings
attended by Planning & Development Staff
892


Community Surveys Completed


Project Phases & Timeline


1. Analysis & Engagement
Now - 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.






  • Latest Updates

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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: 26 May 2026, 03:08 PM