2020 Comprehensive Plan Update
for Newport, Kentucky
Virtual Public Forum
June 18 - July 5, 2020
Welcome to the Virtual Public Forum for NewportFORWARD 2020
In early 2020, Newport began updating the City’s Comprehensive Plan, a process that is intended to create a shared vision for the City's future, with ample public input.
Every step of this process relies on participation from Newport’s diverse community in order to ensure that their needs, desires, and values are reflected in the Plan. While typically the City would hold open houses, public meetings and group town hall gatherings, restrictions on public gatherings have limited our ability to hold in person public engagement events. Nevertheless, the importance of public engagement cannot be overstated.
This Virtual Public Forum is intended to mimic that of a open house style public meeting to gather input on initial findings, goal and objectives for the plan.
Visitors should begin with the Planning Overview Page to set the stage for the planning process, and then click through the more detailed topics and provide input on any specific areas of interest.
WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Watch the Video (Live Stream at 6p, June 18, 2020) of Planning Overview
(For questions on how to navigate this platform to LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK, please fast forward the video at time 48:20.)
SHORT ON TIME?
Click here for a bullet list of the draft goals and objectives and send your comments via email to [email protected].
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
Below is a Summary of Goals & Objectives. Please click the link in each section to see more details and provide comments based on your interest.
(Click HERE if want to access the comment sections directly or if you are experiencing difficulty accessing the comment sections in each topic.)
Goal 1: Strong Vibrant Neighborhoods
(Click here to see Newport’s assets and issues related to this goal and provide your comments.)
Newport’s neighborhoods are part of our unique identity. A system of strong vibrant neighborhoods with a variety of housing options and quality of life amenities is the foundation to retaining existing residents and attracting newcomers.
We will achieve this goal by focusing on these core objectives:
- Enhance quality of life
- Maintain and improve existing housing stock
- Provide all ranges of affordability in order to foster population growth
- Celebrate the unique identity of neighborhoods
- Strive to retain / preserve the existing neighborhoods (character, price, people) while balancing appropriate infill development (not replicating) redevelopment
- Encourage successful “corner stores”
- Provide neighborhood parks and quality green spaces including a robust street tree canopy
- Design appropriate traffic patterns to manage traffic in neighborhoods (also covered in Multi-Modal Transportation)
- Ensure public safety (both real and perceived
Goal 2: Meaningful Connections
(Click here to see Newport’s assets and issues related to this goal and provide your comments.)
Newport will be a strong community that takes pride in its history, appreciates and celebrates the many cultures that make up our community, and maintains our diversity through frequent dialogue and interactions. We aspire to retain the individual identities of our neighborhoods and business districts AND establish a cohesive and unified identity for Newport in a way that enhances our sense of community.
We will achieve this goal by focusing on these core objectives:
- Foster community activities and engagement for all ages
- Promote quality design and public art to enhance placemaking
- Increase communications and collaborations among neighborhoods and among business districts
- Preserve and restore historic places, landmarks and architecture
- Provide a compatible balance of historic / modern building types
- Elevate arts, cultural and entertainment sectors to foster community pride
- Develop and promote the City’s identity in a way that embraces its diversity yet creates a cohesive sense of the City that unites all residents and businesses.
Goal 3: Economic Prosperity and Resilience
(Click here to see Newport’s assets and issues related to this goal and provide your comments.)
Newport’s economy will be a balance of vibrant retail districts with lively music venues for local and regional visitors, and office/commercial areas that are home to contemporary jobs that provide a living wage for residents and a solid tax base for the community.
We will achieve this goal by focusing on these core objectives:
- Maintain and strengthen attractive and vibrant business districts
- Encourage business growth to maintain diverse businesses
- Promote workforce opportunities & support services
- Foster collaboration with others in the region
- Facilitate real estate development that maximizes public benefit
- Promote local business’ use of technology to improve marketing and operations
Goal 4: Well Connected Multi-Modal Transportation Network
(Click here to see Newport’s assets and issues related to this goal and provide your comments.)
Newport will have and maintain a well-connected and safe multi-modal transportation network that increases people’s ability to reach destinations that can influence their health and well-being. Such a network is characterized by accessible and seamless bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, direct routing for cars and trucks, and few physical barriers.
We will achieve this goal by focusing on these core objectives:
- Improve and maintain infrastructure so residents of all ages can move easily throughout Newport
- Increase connectivity within the city and throughout the region
- Design complete streets that serve multiple functions and modes for all ages and abilities
- Embrace smart technology
- Enhance parking management strategies
- Prepare for changes resulting from transportation advances (e.g. electric cars, scooters, etc.
Goal 5: Sustainable Environment
(Click here to see Newport’s assets and issues related to this goal and provide your comments.)
Newport values the numerous contributions natural resources make to human well-being, and recognizes the importance of protecting and enhancing the natural environment. We will conserve and manage our natural resources in a sustainable manner to ensure their long-term health.
We will achieve this goal by focusing on these core objectives:
- Protect and enhance our Natural Resources including the Ohio and Licking Rivers, hillsides, and urban tree canopy (e.g. Increase tree canopy throughout all areas of the city.)
- Encourage smart consumption by promoting recycling and composting
- Reduce and manage stormwater runoff through innovative gray and green infrastructure solutions
- Encourage use of alternative/ renewable energy systems on new and existing structures
- Ensure that new development is designed in ways that respect and take advantage of natural features, such as mature trees, hillsides, and scenic views
Goal 6: Healthy Community
(Click here to see Newport’s assets and issues related to this goal and provide your comments.)
Newport will offer a high quality of life and a community that fosters healthy and active lifestyles by utilizing its valuable open space assets to gather, exercise, recreate, and provide local food sources.
We will achieve this goal by focusing on these core objectives:
- Preserve and enhance quality of open space assets
- Continue to enhance the city’s parks and recreation facilities and programming for all users.
- Enhance connectivity and access to well-maintained parks, open spaces and other gathering places (Riverfront Commons) for all users
- Create attractive, and inviting bicycle, pedestrian facilities including trails (Licking River Greenway /Ohio River Trails; Jacob Spears and Greenway/Water Trail)
- Ensure access to food from local sources
Goal 7: Good Government
(Click here to see Newport’s assets and issues related to this goal and provide your comments.)
Newport will continue to provide effective local governance in order to foster an overall high quality of life for our citizens. Good governance is characterized as being accessible, open, and fiscally responsible; continually looking for ways to improve and collaborate for the benefit of the community..
We will achieve this goal by focusing on these core objectives:
- Maintain and improve ease of conducting business with City Government
- Maintain and improve a culture of transparency
- Embrace innovations (technology) with a continual quest for improvement
- Project a positive image
- Practice responsible budget management through capital planning
- Pursue collaboration with county and other cities
SPREAD THE WORD!
The more input we receive, the more representative the comprehensive plan will be of the entire community. Help us reach a broader audience by spreading the word. Share this link with your family, friends and neighbors! Together we can make a difference!