The city of Newport is working on an action plan to reverse demographic trends

The city of Newport is working on an action plan to reverse demographic trends and revitalize the city. At the heart of the plan is an effort to tackle a major eyesore that has plagued the downtown for nearly a decade. On the shores of Lake Memphremaggog, the city of Newport is one of the crown jewels of Orleans County. Back in 2015, the city razed an entire downtown block on Main Street to make way for $600 million in promised investment and jobs as part of Bill Stenger and Ariel Quiros’ Jay Peak EB-5 project. But the redevelopment, like the rest of the Kingdom Con, turned out to be a sham. Ten years later, the future of the downtown — and the so-called pit — remains to be seen. Along with a roadmap for infrastructure, transportation, and housing, the plan features new amenities like a long-sought-after waterfront hotel. The pit is still under the federal receiver Michael Goldberg and there are no public plans to unload it. Discussions over Newport’s future come amid shifting demographics and financial challenges for North Country Hospital, one of the area’s largest employers. The plan explores tools to spur development, including tax breaks. The City Council is expected to sign off on the 10-year plan next month.