Destination Determined: Newport to Obtain Local Control of Downtown Development Block

For more than a decade, an empty block in the heart of downtown Newport has been a symbol of uncertainty and has sowed distrust in local, regional, state, and federal officials. As a result, the development block (formerly known as “the pit”) has caused an economic paralysis in the NEK’s largest city. 

That is beginning to change.

A DECADE OF WANING HOPE

The story of the development block is complicated, but the result has been simple: for years, a prominent property in the heart of downtown has sat empty. The original vision for the development block called for a 70-room hotel and it was directly connected to a larger development project that included a biotech company. Those plans collapsed when details of the largest financial scandal to hit Vermont were discovered, sending shockwaves through our region and halting progress - and for a while, hope.

The property was placed in the hands of a court-appointed receiver. Despite receiving several offers for the development block, none ultimately moved forward to a point where the court would approve a sale. Meanwhile, Newport was on the sidelines, powerless to do anything with the hole left in the center of its downtown.

On August 13th, 2026, that changed

A SEAT AT THE TABLE

Over the last year, the City of Newport worked with the receiver, regional economic development partners, and state leaders to find a path forward. The result is the proposed purchase of the development block by the Northeastern Vermont Development Association (NVDA). NVDA’s involvement is important in two key ways: first, it can receive certain grant money only available to regional development organizations; and second, it has access to additional grant funds to complete environmental remediation necessary before redevelopment can begin. 

On August 13, 2026, all of the pieces came together. NVDA received a $1 million Rural Industry Development Program (RIDP) grant to help purchase the development block, and the receiver accepted the offer from NVDA to purchase the property for $1.1 million. To cover the full purchase price, carrying costs, and brownfields remediation, NVDA has committed other resources and grant money to the effort.

Notably, none of the funds for the purchase and holding of the development block result in raised taxes or impose other cost burdens on the people in Newport City or Orleans County.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Newport finally has a feasible path forward for a development project.

Once the NVDA has possession of the property, the City and its partners will issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from potential developers, which will highlight levels of interest and possible paths forward toward redevelopment of the site. That process will lead to a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified developers, and proposals will be evaluated based on viability, community need, and what makes sense for downtown Newport.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

While the news of NVDA’s forthcoming purchase of the development block has been the lead story, the efforts underway by those part of this Newport Initiative extend beyond a single property. With the 2024 Newport City Master Plan as the guidepost, it is clear that housing, commercial space, a hotel, and a multi-use recreation center are desperately needed to support year-round activities. One single site cannot support all of these uses, but there are other areas in the city that can support them. 

WHERE YOU FIT IN

The Newport Initiative includes more than just City officials, regional economic partners, legislators, or consultants. 

It also includes you. 

We are no longer waiting for someone else to decide what happens in the center of downtown. No one is coming to save us. The partners are at the table, the master plan is in place, and we have a path toward gaining local control of a piece of property that has otherwise been out of reach for so many years. The next piece to the puzzle⸺so we can lock in our vision⸺is to have local community members step up and help make it a reality.

A CALL TO ACTION

There are many ways to contribute: volunteer on efforts to bring projects online, share updates ⸺both in person and on social media⸺and help build goodwill in the community, show your support on the Newport Initiative website, and attend City Council meetings. 

Importantly, reach out to Mayor Rick Ufford-Chase with questions and constructive feedback. 

It’s time to move from paralysis to progress.