To create a durable vision plan for Newport, this specially assembled AIA R/UDAT panel of specialists listened to citizens of many varied interests over two full days of input in several different forums. In inviting a national American Institute of Architects Regional / Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) to your community, you have embarked on an historic event that will resonate in your community for years to come. We have blended citizen concerns with national quality expertise in town planning, landscape architecture, and architecture to present short-term and futuristic recommendations.
Crafting a durable vision for your community is demanding and difficult work. Our ambitious plan is just the beginning of the hard work yet to be done. Consensus and harmony for all interests at all times for all situations is impossible. However, you are blessed with community and cultural underpinnings that are well rooted in a collective spirit of altruism.
Preserving and enhancing an historic downtown, finding opportunities to link downtown with the Lake Memphremagog waterfront, burnishing and polishing the assets in Gardner Park, creating a new regional recreation facility, and committing to a “Century Bridge” in 2018 to improve linkages, identity, and access to South Bay are all challenges that this community and it’s strong, enterprising spirit can accomplish.
With patience and determination, your community will find the collective will and perseverance to provide your children and grandchildren with the small town atmosphere and quality of life you currently enjoy, but also a community richer in choices for housing, career, recreation, and entertainment for all stages of life. Your challenge is accepting change while demanding the highest development standards of yourselves and new projects proposed in your community.
It is important to emphasize that this vision plan is only as durable as the collective community memory, and it is our team’s hope that elected officials, planning commission members, R/UDAT steering committee members, and involved citizens will invoke the spirit and memory of this community planning effort when individual development proposals are reviewed, discussed, and adopted.
It has been a thrill to be so welcomed and loved by so many residents of Newport, and I look forward to visiting you again in the future as your vision of an even more livable community is realized. There can be no more noble undertaking that to leave our children a town that builds solid economic development, fosters community spirit, and celebrates urban quality.
My best wishes to you!
James Abell, FAIA, LA
Newport, VT R/UDAT Team Leader
