2025-42 Cliff Walk Restrooms

WHEREAS, the City of Newport recognizes the Cliff Walk as a historically significant and heavily visited public access site, attracting numerous residents and visitors annually; and

WHEREAS, the City acknowledges the well-documented and pressing need for additional restroom facilities along the Cliff Walk, beyond the existing facility at 40 Steps, to enhance the experience for all users; and

WHEREAS, the Cliff Walk Commission formally communicated its request to the City Council on February 12, 2025 urging the City Manager to coordinate with Salve Regina University and the Preservation Society of Newport County regarding potential options for both temporary and permanent restroom facilities along the Cliff Walk; and

WHEREAS, the Cliff Walk Commission has also recommended that the City Council consider, as part of the next Capital Improvement Program (CIP), an update to the existing two-unit restroom facility at 40 Steps, expanding it to a four-unit facility to meet the growing demand for restroom services on the Cliff Walk; and

WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that the proposed expansion of the restroom facility at 40 Steps would provide a significant and immediate benefit to the users of the Cliff Walk, ensuring better access to restroom services and improving the overall public amenities in this important area of the city; and

WHEREAS, local media reports and Citizens’ Forum testimony have highlighted the critical need for additional restroom facilities along the Cliff Walk, noting that the current facilities are insufficient to accommodate the high volume of visitors, especially during peak seasons; and

WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the importance of collaborating with local institutions and stakeholders to address this pressing issue effectively; now THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the City Council of Newport hereby directs the City Manager to coordinate with Salve Regina University and the Preservation Society of Newport County to explore potential options and initiatives for providing additional restroom facilities along the Cliff Walk, both temporary and permanent, in line with the needs outlined by the Cliff Walk Commission; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the City Council directs that the expansion of the restroom facility at 40 Steps from its current two-unit design to a four-unit design be considered as part of the next Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the City of Newport for availability of the 2025-2026 season and remain open for year round access. This expansion is to be prioritized based on the immediate and pressing need for improved facilities for the public; and BE IT FINALLY

RESOLVED, that the City Council directs the Cliff Walk Commission be kept informed of progress in these efforts and directs that any further recommendations or updates regarding the restroom facilities along the Cliff Walk be submitted for consideration in future meetings of the City Council.

CHARLES M. HOLDER, JR.
JEANNE-MARIE NAPOLITANO
ELLEN PINNOCK

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED
MARCH 12, 2025

LAURA C. SWISTAK, CMC
CITY CLERK