WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Creating a New Newport
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Newport, Vermont - April 15, 2009
"Newport has potential," business owner Katy Kavanaugh says.
And Kavanaugh isn't the only one who thinks so. A group of architectural and economic development experts visited the Northeast Kingdom's only city to help municipal planners create a new Newport.
"This is the first time they came to Vermont," said Patricia Sears, executive director of the Newport City Renaissance Corporation.
The Regional Urban Design Assistance Team, or RUDAT, studies areas where major improvements are needed. And there certainly are signs that Newport needs improving. Several store fronts sit empty and Newport has the state's highest unemployment rate; more than 12 percent.
"A number of things can be implemented easily and quickly and with a fairly low dollar investment. So I think you'll be seeing those come onboard soon," Kavanaugh says.
The group's study shows that portions of Main Street need to be redeveloped. That's already underway. Better bilingual signage would help direct visitors-- especially Canadians-- to local attractions. That's expected soon.
"We are beginning our renaissance and revitalization," Sears said.
But the biggest thing to come out of the study is that Newport is underutilizing a natural resource that could provide a huge economist boost to this area: Lake Memphremagog.
"We've been saying that for 30 years in this area," Stephen Halikas says. Halikas owns Newport's newest business, the Boat House Grill, located on the waterfront, where remarkably, few businesses are. Most face away from the lake.
"This spot is the only spot I would have opened up a restaurant because of the view," Halikas says.
RUDAT recommends future businesses focus on the lake too, and that the city create a lakeside central park area. The study says the causeway bridge should be removed to allow boats to dock close to downtown and that the boardwalk should link to a new resort that's planned on the waterfront, to keep pedestrians and potential shoppers linked to the downtown district.
"Newport shines because of the lake," Sears said. "When more of us are participating and taking advantage of it, then more tourists come and say we want to do that too."
A city that could be more than just rich in natural beauty.
Darren Perron - WCAX News
