copyright the Chronicle August 30, 2017
by Joseph Gresser
NEWPORT — The consultant hired by the city to help develop a redevelopment strategy in the wake of the collapse of Jay Peak’s Newport EB-5 efforts presented a preliminary report at the Gateway Center last week.
David White, who heads White and Burke, a company that has assisted other cities, including St. Albans, to bring their downtowns back to life, spoke along with his associate Joe Weith.
It was their second meeting with the Newport City Renaissance Corporation and a steering committee of business leaders.
Mr. White’s company was hired by the city council in March and has been working since then to gather information and develop plans.
While its recommendations are far from finalized, Mr. White said the city should work to bring a hotel to Newport, possibly by converting the Emory Hebard State Office Building.
He also suggested the creation of a tax increment finance district to help create conditions for economic development in the city.
Mr. White also encouraged the city to participate somehow in the sale of the former Spates Block in order to be sure its new owner’s plans work well with those of the city.
The Burke and White study is one of a series of investigations into how Newport can revive itself. Those include the Regional Urban Design Team (RUDAT) visits in 2009 and 2011.
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