Comments on: How Do you Feel About Bumps in the Road?

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:14:40 +0000

Even if the brick wasn’t technically historic, it acted to convey that quality and was important to harkening back to the past. You don’t have to look any further than Washington Square to see that. There, the city spent millions to install pavers to help restore and emphasize the historic nature of the area. Yet just around the corner, they rip up an entire brick roadway without any consideration for it’s importance to convey the history that is so entwined with that area of the city.

Queen Anne square isn’t historic, but it imparts a feeling of history to visitors as well as locals. The brick, regardless of its
age was important and the city didn’t do itself any favors in bypassing the HDC.

By: Tanya Kelley

Tanya Kelley — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:33:57 +0000

Streets comprise a significant portion of our urban open space. They belong to everyone, very democratic. They deserve as much thoughtful consideration and protection as the architecture that defines them.

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:03:36 +0000

I have to agree with JMS on all points. It really is refreshing for their to be such an open discourse on our civil
affairs. Perhaps Newport Now could arrange for live chats with our elected and appointed leaders. I recently participated in an online chat on the Projo website and I must say it was a very worthwhile experience.

By: JMS

JMS — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:22:23 +0000

It is encouraging to witness such spirited and intelligent input over such egregious, bad judgement on the part of the public works department. A hole in the zoning ordinance allows the city to do what private citizens are not allowed to do. They are held to a different standard.
Recently the Fastnet Pub was encouraged to recognize its location next to one of the most historically important buildings in the country and to engage renovations with appropriate sensitivity. Obviously whoever appproved black asphalt to replace the brick had no such sensitivity.

By: John Hirschboeck

John Hirschboeck — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:04:29 +0000

Your points are well taken, Peter.

As egregious as the removal of the “historic look & feel” of the brick street was, I find the gas station there a much greater affront to the historic Newport all are working so hard to preserve.

I understand the gas station owner’s asking price is $2MM, the removal of which would allow Newport to re-create what was the original springs/water source of pre-colonial Newport.

What a wonderful re-created historic Newport centerpiece this would be, adjacent to the new Touro Synagogue Visitor Center, Washington Square and the Colony House.

Could this ever be done?

By: peter fagan

peter fagan — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:44:51 +0000

Road repairs affect the quality of life in the City. All City projects should improve, not detract from our historic districts, and should represent an understanding of the CLP which clearly delineates the priorities of the City. Recent work to two City parking lots–Easton’s Beach East Lot and Rogers High School parking lot– were done without considering environmental goals. The brick road was ripped up without considering the historic nature of Colony House and Washington Square. It is my understanding that there was no review of these projects by a panel of City department heads or City commissions. There seems to be a breakdown in communication between City departments, City commissions, the School Department, the City Council, and the general public. Paige Bronk, head of Planning and Zoning writes a monthly review of what is going on in his department. I have discused with him the need of a City newsletter…this could easily be generated on the website if all department heads wrote a summary of work accomplished and work to be done. If the City administration really wants public support and input, there needs to be more of a PR effort made so “surprises” don’t generate such a negative reaction from the public. Yes, please fix the parking lots and the streets, but do so with sensitivity to the priorities stated in our own Comprehensive land Use Plan and in consultation with all who will be affected by the projects.

By: Federico Santi

Federico Santi — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:24:47 +0000

Over a dozen years ago, as a member on the Board and President of The Hill Association, we approched the Historic District Commission and City Council asking to initiate legislation that would include all Streets and Sidewalks within the review of the Historic District Commission. We could not get any traction on this, at the time. There was no Historic Preservation Officer for the City and there was no will in the City Administration either. Mabye, the time has come, again, to beat this drum.

By: Kim P

Kim P — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:02:40 +0000

This is just another example of the city doing something on the cheap. As Karen said, the RIGHT thing to do would have been to repair the road and relay the brick – but I’m sure that was deemed too costly. You won’t see other “historic” towns – especially those that rely on tourism – in New England ripping out their historic features – they have much more stringent rules, I guess. And as someone who recently had to go before the HDC for their renovation, I find it incredibly hypocritical that the city would bypass what the rest of us have to adhere to to preserve the historic aspects of our town.

And as for the stamped brick…there are soooo many things I could say right now, but I’ll bite my tongue. But one word: TACKY.

By: Karen King

Karen King — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:03:12 +0000

The brick is important in the historic preservation of the city. The road needed to be repaired but the brick could have been laid again in a more modern way for a smoother ride. Did the City sell the old brick? I’m sure not! Another preservation association, architect or builder somewhere would have paid top dollar for beautiful old brick. Williamsburg, VA is a good example of preserving history and embracing tourists.