What’s At Stake?

At 1501 E. 16th Street sits a deteriorating medical building - an underused, concrete-covered parcel that borders one of the most peaceful and ecologically rich corners of our city.

This 1.5-acre site sits directly beside a nature preserve that supports wildlife, outdoor education, and quiet walking trails used by families, children, and neighbors. It’s one of the few places in Newport where natural beauty still anchors the community experience.

Now, this parcel is at risk of being transformed into high-density housing with rooftop decks, increased traffic, and noise that would disrupt the calm character of the area and intrude on a space meant for restoration and reflection.

But it doesn’t have to go that way.

With leadership and community will, this space could be re-greened- restored as an extension of the natural corridor that already exists. It could become a buffer from surrounding development, a legacy of tranquility, and a public resource that adds lasting value to the neighborhood.

This is our chance to choose natural beauty over more concrete, and to preserve what makes Newport special - for today and for generations to come.