Our time together on this journey through West Newport has nearly come to an end. For the final post in this series, we will discuss what happens next, and you might be surprised, so let’s jump in one last time. We asked a couple key questions on how to use the information we gathered moving forward. We will share our responses but encourage you to write your own. Feel free to drop them into the comment section.
How can community organizations and the City of Newport enhance quality of life and strengthen local connections and infrastructure? What actions, policies, or funding should be pursued at the government level, and which policies have the most community support?
· Preserve and celebrate Black history and landmarks, while addressing the loss of historic Black neighborhoods and the erosion of community fabric due to displacement and lack of shared history.
· Strengthen connections among long-term and newer residents.
· Create inclusive sports leagues, safe spaces for teens, and youth programming such as cooking and dance classes.
· Ensure affordable, accessible, and community-focused housing while addressing concerns about displacement, high taxes, neglect, and redevelopment that prioritize newcomers over current residents. Development should support local employment and inclusivity.
· Expand and maintain parks, community centers, gathering spaces, and recreational amenities such as soccer fields and basketball courts; add grocery stores and small business support to address food deserts; and provide more safe spaces and programs for teens.
· Improve pedestrian, bike, and transit infrastructure with safer streets, more frequent transit, and better facilities for accessibility, including ramps for wheelchair users.
· Strengthen outreach with bilingual resources and better communication about community events. Build trust through genuine engagement, follow-up, and long-term commitment to community benefits.
Brainstorming Questions
1. How do we create opportunities for community blending? For instance, limited connections among neighbors can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or negative assumptions.
a. The Black citizens group emphasized that long-term neighbor relationships foster trust and help resolve issues peacefully before they escalate.
2. How do we help people take ownership of the neighborhood? For example, trash and litter relate to feeling unsafe.
a. Organize groups to pick up trash regularly, ask the city to provide more trash cans if the neighborhood needs them or create a youth/ senior’s program to help blend the generations.
3. How do we improve the perception and pride for West Newport? For instance, the human inclination is to view the past as better.
4. How do we invite people into spaces they feel excluded from?
a. Bodega-crawls grow pride in the growing bodega “culture” by inviting the community in to meet the owners and get acquainted, so people feel comfortable and familiar frequenting these businesses.
b. Façade-incentive programs open windows on neighborhood businesses to make businesses more welcoming and friendly.
c. Corner-bar crawls invite the neighborhood into corner bars to increase patronage and help people find their “local”.
Conclusion
The Newport Property Development Plan is more than a roadmap for buildings and infrastructure; it’s a blueprint for a stronger, more inclusive community. By listening to residents and prioritizing their needs, it charts a path forward that balances growth with preservation, and opportunity with equity.
West Newport’s story is still being written, and this plan ensures the people who call it home remain its authors. What happens next is up to you. How will you help write Newport’s story?
Drop your comments below:
