In Support of Queen Anne Square

Dear Councilors,

The Preservation Society of Newport County supports the Newport Restoration Foundation's new plan for Queen Anne Square. We believe it is a thoughtful, sensitive approach to reinvigorating a public square that was originally created less than 40 years ago under the leadership of Doris Duke.

The creation of the park in the 1970s is itself a part of Newport's history. Many Newporters will remember Egan's and Walsh Brothers standing on that site. In fact, buildings have stood on this spot since Colonial times. The proposal for the new park pays homage to the site's past with several stone foundations which will recall the historic buildings that once existed in the area.

Doris Duke had a vision for the space, to make it a focal point in downtown Newport.

The new park design reinforces that vision, with improved lighting, better sight lines, and the creation of much more welcoming spaces for the public to sit, relax and reflect.

That it is a design by Maya Lin will make it all the more attractive to visitors.

Newport's legacy ofpreservation is what makes it such a special place; but we can't just put the city under a bell jar. This proposed gift honors our city's preservation legacy.

We urge the City Council to accept this gift.

Sincerely,

Trudy Coxe

CEO & Executive Director

The Preservation Society of Newport County

The above was submitted to the City Council, and appears on their Nov. 9 docket.

Comments (4)

Comment Feed

Supporters Intimidated, too

No one should feel afraid to speak his/her mind as regards this proposed project, but the reality is that the atmosphere in town has become so polarized that it is not safe to be a supporter of the project. I like the plan, but having seen how others' words have been twisted and taken out of context, and heard the blatant lies told about the project, and read the personal attacks on fellow citizens, I'm not inclined to expose myself to the same sort of treatment. Maybe it's not the park that needs repair, maybe it is the citizenry of Newport that could stand improvement.

newporter more than 1 years ago

Some People Just Plain Like the New Design

Perhaps it is hard for those who do not care for Maya Lin's design to understand this, but there are folks who genuinely like the proposed changes to Queen Anne Square. I'm not wealthy, I don't belong to the Preservation Society, and I don't have to consider "donor loyalty," I just happen to think the proposed design is a vast improvement over the current situation. I don't demonize those with whom I disagree and wish that there could be some honest, civil, adult conversations on the subject.

I'm in the 99% too more than 1 years ago

Queen Anne Square objectors intimidated

How terribly ironic that a project conceived to honor Miss Duke has succeeded only in tarnishing the reputation of the organization she founded. A dignified public withdrawl of the proposed plan would be in NRF's best interests.

Ann Pamela Cunningham more than 1 years ago

Of course the PSNC supports the proposed redesign of Queen Anne Square; what choice do they have if they don't want to alienate their donor base? Do you really think that local charitable foundations wouldn't consider an institutions "loyalty" when the next round of grant applications come up for review? Employees of Newport's cultural/historical sites are terrified of speaking up against this proposal and at least one has already lost her job because of it.

part of the 99% here in Newport more than 1 years ago