NEWPORT, R.I. – A 27-month long process aimed at making the Historic District Commission process more user-friendly came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday after councilors were unable to reach an agreement over the wording of a provision regulating the treatment of historic walls, fences, and gate posts along Bellevue Avenue.
It was a stunning blow to proponents of the comprehensive ordinance change – one that even the day after was still being sorted through. Several council members reached on Thursday couldn’t be sure what the next step for the proposed ordinance would be.
The view from Brewer Street, looking south toward the new St. Clare Home addition
NEWPORT, R.I. – About two dozen residents turned out to hear arguments for and against the St. Clare Home’s proposed expansion project during a roughly 3 1/2-hour meeting of the city’s Zoning Board of Review on Thursday evening.
The meeting, which was called in response to strong interest in the project on the part of both neighbors and zoning board members, covered a wide breadth of information from parking and building height, to landscaping and external material choices. But as 7 p.m. turned to 10:30, the board made the decision to continue to the meeting to a future date.
At issue is whether to permit the St. Clare Home, which since 1909 has been providing care for local elderly residents, to expand beyond its current footprint with a 15,133-square-foot addition that executives say is needed to keep the facility economically viable, but whose mass and height have some concerned about the potential impact on the neighborhood.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Workers are busy readying Newport’s Old Colony House for the season this week. A fresh coat of paint and window treatment should freshen up the historic structure – which is operated by the Newport Historical Society and is arguably one of the state’s most important and recognizable buildings.
The project is sure to complement the several other improvements made to Washington Square – the bulk of which have been driven by the Washington Square Advisory Commission, who on Sunday will celebrate the unveiling of an historic horse trough fountain at the “nose” of the square at the Thames Street intersection.
An architectural rendering shows what the proposed improvements to 106-112 William St. would look like.
NEWPORT, R.I. – In unanimous fashion, the city’s Historic District Commission (HDC) voted 6-0 on Tuesday to approve an application that promises to restore and rehabilitate a prominent Bellevue Avenue property.
Plans to redevelop 106-112 William Street, which sits at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and Bellevue Avenue, were reviewed at this week’s April 20 HDC meeting. Once home to a Senor Frog’s nightclub, the building has been mostly vacant for the better part of a decade.
Under the plans, submitted by Anbau RI, LLC, the now rundown historic structure would be restored and transformed into a mixed use facility featuring lower level retail and restaurant space complemented by a pair condominium units above.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Members of the Historic District Ordinance Review Task Force are planning to meet with city staff to over the next few weeks to discuss concerns held by the city solicitor’s office about a plan, that if adopted could mean wholesale changes to the operation and composition of the Historic District Commission.
NEWPORT, R.I. – It’s been almost 10 years since the Fort Adams Trust took a real comprehensive look at the future use of the historic Third System fort. Since then, areas like the North Casements and officers’ barracks have been restored, but much of the structure is crumbling.
On Monday, Nov. 16, Eric Hertfelder, executive director of the Fort Adams Trust, will give an inside look at the steps the trust is taking to preserve the fort as it enters its third century.(See below for a slideshow of some of the rarely-seen areas of the fort.)
Councilors have given the owner of this property at 119 Spring St. until January to begin repairs to the property. (Staff Photo)
NEWPORT, R.I. – In an effort to avoid the mistakes of the past, city councilors last night voted unanimously to give the owner of a rundown Spring Street property until January to begin making repairs to the house.
The resolution stopped short of mandating any specific repairs to 119 Spring St. but councilors said they took the step in order to prevent the house from falling into further disrepair.
Do you support the decision by the city to replace the red brick road behind the Colony House with asphalt?
No. The brick is part of the city's historic fabric and the city should have gone before the Historic District Commission before any work was started. (77%, 115 Votes)
Yes. The road was in need of replacement and the brick is not an important historic feature. (23%, 34 Votes)
Total Voters: 149
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NEWPORT, R.I. – The decision by city officials to replace the section of red brick roadway behind the Colony House has generated some frank discussions between neighbors. Over at KnowingNewport.com, and in our own comments section on the story, debate has been split between those who believe that the red brick lent itself to the historic aesthetic of the city, and those who are glad to see the bumps replaced with smooth riding asphalt.
Workers arrived outside of 166 Spring St. at just after 8 a.m. this morning to begin repairs to the siding of the rundown home, which was identified several years ago by the Historic District Commission as in a state of demolition by neglect.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Responding to a recommendation by the Historic District Commission that would place an historic Spring Street house on track for mandated improvements or in the worst case, possible demolition, City Councilor Stephen R. Coyne last night asked the city administration to come up with a specific plan of action that could guide councilors in their decision making process.
Noting that the building at 119 Spring Street is the only colonial structure remaining in the city that has brick on both ends, Coyne emphasized the structure’s importance and said he hoped that to avoid a drawn out process that confronted councilors two years ago when dealing with a similar designation issued on several dilapidated properties owned by Newport residents Ann and John Twomey.
“I would just like to see a plan on how to proceed,” Coyne said.
According to the release, the initial candidate field numbered more than 80 applicants, from which 13 were selected for further consideration. Following a series of internal evaluations, Titcomb emerged as the top candidate. She holds a Masters of Fine Arts degree in historic preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design and Bachelor’s degree in Historic Preservation from Roger Williams University.
NEWPORT, R.I. – Almost one year after Historic Preservation Planner Shantia Anderhaggen tendered her resignation, city officials have named a replacement, several sources have told Newport Now.
NEWPORT, R.I. – After tussling over procedural actions, city councilors last night voted to receive a communication regarding recommended changes to the Historic District Ordinance, which could bring to a close as early as October a nearly two-year long review of the processes that govern the city’s various historic districts. [click to continue…]
NEWPORT, R.I. – It’s been almost 10 years since the Fort Adams Trust took a real comprehensive look at the future use of the historic Third System fort. Since then, areas like the North Casements and officers’ barracks have been restored, but much of the structure is crumbling.
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Newport, RI
