Our last post we discussed the process and rules we set for our community engagement sessions ensuring everyone felt heard. If you missed it, be sure to go back and check out the first post in this series. If not, welcome back! We are so glad you’re here. We have much to discuss, so let’s dive in!
Our focus in this post will be West Newport’s top priorities for change. These priorities reflect a desire for a safer, more vibrant and inclusive neighborhood with more affordable housing, ample green spaces, and better community resources. Let’s dig deeper into each of these together:
Expanding Access to Green Space
Access to nature plays a vital role in quality of life, and West Newport residents were clear about their desire for more recreational courts and fields, public parks, green spaces, and pocket parks. In fact, this was their top priority. These spaces aren’t just recreational; they’re gathering places, safe havens fostering civic health, and vital contributors to community health and well-being. Several respondents suggested adding community gardens and other gathering spaces where residents can connect. By strategically expanding green space throughout the neighborhood, including the reuse of vacant lots as such, the plan envisions a more vibrant, accessible, and environmentally sustainable future.
Housing That Reflects Community Values
Another consistent theme from resident input was the importance of affordable and diverse housing options. Community members voiced strong support for a mix of single-family, multi-family, ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), and mixed-income housing. They also emphasized owner-occupied, infill, and senior-friendly housing, with a clear preference for preserving and renovating historic homes over replacing them with large-scale, generic developments. Maintaining a mixed-income neighborhood and providing housing options for different income levels is important. This balance between affordability and preservation ensures that growth strengthens, rather than erases, West Newport’s character.
Community Engagement
There is a strong desire for more community activation and neighborhood engagement. Residents want spaces to gather and connect, including public squares and recreation centers. Some felt that the community needs more connection between residents, which they felt could be improved through physical space as well as communication with/awareness of community groups. Respondents also emphasized fostering a sense of belonging and identity, improving community spirit through events and collective action.
Safer, More Connected Streets
Residents want safer sidewalks, improved lighting, more trees, and better street maintenance, along with increased access to trash cans to keep the neighborhood clean. There’s strong support for bike and pedestrian-friendly corridors, especially along KY 9, linking residents to parks, schools, businesses, and the riverfront. Some mentioned converting streets into one-ways to create bike lanes. Enhancements to bus stops—like shelters, seating, and clearer signage—would strengthen and encourage use of public transit, making it easier and safer for everyone to get around without relying on cars. Less cars on the road equals safer streets for pedestrians.
Youth Programs and Resources
Many residents emphasized the need for youth programs, recreational spaces, and safe activities for children and teenagers. This includes community centers with gyms and swimming pools, as well as more programs such as tech/entrepreneur and career thinking centers to keep young people engaged and productive.
Safety and Crime Reduction
Crime reduction, particularly related to gun violence, youth misbehavior, and drug-related activities, is a significant concern. Respondents want to see better police presence, community awareness, and crime prevention. Community engagement is shown to reduce crime. Safer streets for walking, biking, and driving, as well as improved traffic control (speed bumps, better street lighting) were also highlighted as key safety improvements.
Education and Employment
Respondents are looking for better education opportunities (beyond academics) and more resources for job acquisition. Supporting vocational training, hands-on workshops, and other skill-building opportunities will help residents take an active role in shaping West Newport’s future. The neighborhood would like to see more support for the homeless by providing resources and cooling stations. They also hope for improved educational outcomes from increased investment in schools as well as programs and affordable childcare options for working families.
Building Economic Vitality
Residents see local business growth as a cornerstone of neighborhood revitalization. The proposed plan prioritizes attracting diverse, locally owned retail establishments and restaurants, while also fostering entrepreneurship among underrepresented groups and providing employment opportunities. This is important to maintain community identity and access. Revitalizing vacant commercial spaces and encouraging new small businesses would create local jobs, improve walkability, and provide much-needed amenities. Food access was highlighted as especially critical, with residents calling for grocery stores, community farmer’s markets, delis, and affordable dining options.
Trust, Representation, and Community Empowerment
Beyond physical improvements, residents voiced concerns about representation and trust in local government. Civic engagement equals civic health. The plan acknowledges this challenge and emphasizes the importance of consistent resident involvement, neighborhood associations, and community-led programs.
Despite challenges like rising costs and underused spaces, residents take pride in the community’s spirit, diversity, history, and location. Addressing systemic, social, and environmental issues—especially safety, housing, and engagement—are viewed as essential to securing a vibrant future for both current and future residents.
Looking into Precedent Projects
When planning community development in historically rich, diverse neighborhoods like West Newport, studying precedent projects is crucial. Lessons from other cities reveal strategies for preserving affordability, engaging diverse stakeholders, adding green infrastructure, and creating inclusive public spaces. These examples offer guidance on balancing development with historic preservation, reducing displacement, and fostering equitable growth. By drawing on proven practices and tailoring them to local needs, West Newport can shape a more informed, sustainable, and community-driven vision.
With the community’s vision in hand, we examined precedent examples that demonstrated how the priorities of other communities could be realized in Newport. Examples of this are lively mixed-use developments with shops, apartments, and a central green plazas filled with people; a children’s playground with soft rubber surfacing, climbing structures, and seating built into a landscaped hillside; a winding elevated pedestrian/bike path crossing a river with views of the city skyline; outdoor sports courts (basketball) elevated above the ground, surrounded by greenery or an adaptive reuse project—large brick factory or warehouse converted into housing with a landscaped courtyard.
That’s where we’ll pause for now—but there’s more to the story. Check back on Thursday for our next post where we’ll dive into what specific functions this master plan needed defined based off the community’s input. You won’t want to miss it.