Newport Seeks Public Input On City Center Plan

The City of Newport is working to create a vibrant, welcoming city center that could be home to successful businesses, housing options, along with amenities for visitors and community gathering space. The city wants an area  that is attractive to residents and visitors. In the fall, the city of Newport asked for community input on how to reimagine City Center. Based on citizen feedback the city has now created solutions and ideas that they hope will ensure that the city is meeting the future needs of the community. Last night the city had a open house to showcase to the public the plans that have been created. The Newport Transportation system plan outlined two route options for Highway 101 through the city center (shown below). With the help of the public the City will choose which option for Highway 101 will best support new development in the project area. The public is invited to check out the information between now and April 13 and submit your ideas to the team.

Changes to traffic patterns and new transportation facilities (such as additional bus stops or bike lanes) will be key to encouraging redevelopment. In 2022, the City of Newport worked with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to develop a new Transportation System Plan (TSP). The Newport TSP outlined two route options for Highway 101 through the city center. With the help of the public and others interested in the area, the City will choose which option for Highway 101 will best support new development in the project area. The focus of this planning effort will be within 2-3 blocks of US 20 and US 101 (from the east entrance to the City, west to the US 20/US 101 intersection, and then south to the Yaquina Bay Bridge). In 2022, the City completed a Transportation System Plan (TSP) that identified two options for improving US 101 within the project area to promote economic development and provide infrastructure to support new housing.

The two options are as follows:

1. One-way short couplet – Between SW Abbey Street and SW 2nd Street, people traveling south on 101 would use the existing highway, which would have two travel lanes for vehicles. Removing northbound traffic from this section of Highway 101 would allow this corridor to have wider sidewalks with landscaping, buffered bike lanes, and on-street parking. Travelers heading north on Highway 101 would use an improved SW 9th Street that would include two travel lanes for vehicles with wider sidewalks with landscaping and a buffered bike lane.

2. Two-way enhanced – Within the existing 74-foot right-of-way on Highway 101, the sidewalks could be widened and landscaping added if on-street parking was removed. This would also allow four 11-foot travel lanes (which is one foot wider than today). A bikeway would be added to SW 9th Avenue between SW Abbey Street and SW 2nd Street in lieu of bicycle lanes on this section of Highway 101. The SW 9th Avenue bikeway would require removal of on-street parking and reduced lane width for vehicles.

This Revitalization Planning Project will identify which of the options, or variations of the options will best support the project objectives. To further encourage growth in the city center, the City is also updating its Comprehensive Plan and development code, and identifying potential public investments and incentives to encourage desired development and livability. Care will be taken to ensure that there is a enduring and vibrant location for the farmers market, and other spaces for public gatherings, art and landscaping. The city will work with local businesses, landowners, residents and others in the community to plan for ways to reinvest in the area, now and into the future. The revitalization project started in spring of 2024 and is scheduled to wrap up this year.