We, the undersigned residents of Newport and concerned community members across the region, are calling for an immediate pause on all construction activity, tree removal, and implementation steps related to the Bellevue Gardens hotel project in Newport, Rhode Island. While we are aware this has been approved by the town, we are requesting a review to ensure proper oversight, transparency, and mitigation while this proceeds.

1. Severe Existing Traffic Congestion
The Bellevue Avenue area already experiences significant traffic strain year-round, which intensifies during the academic year and summer tourist season. The addition of a large hotel will further exacerbate congestion, parking shortages, emergency access delays, and overall strain on neighborhood infrastructure and livability.

2. Irreversible Impact on a Historic District
Bellevue Avenue is one of Newport’s most historically significant corridors. Large-scale commercial development in this area risks permanently altering its historic character, cultural identity, and architectural landscape. These impacts cannot be reversed once they occur.

3. Environmental Impact and Limited Urban Tree Canopy
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health’s “Canopy Cover by Municipality” analysis (2022), Newport already has relatively limited tree canopy coverage compared to other municipalities in the state. This highlights an existing environmental vulnerability, particularly in dense historic corridors such as Bellevue Avenue.

Further tree removal and increased site intensification in this area will worsen urban heat island effects, reduce stormwater absorption capacity, and further degrade the city’s already limited tree canopy in a location that is both environmentally and historically sensitive.
(Reference: https://health.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur1006/files/2022-08/CanopyCoverByMunicipality.png

4. Lack of Proper Environmental and Tree Oversight
We are deeply concerned that the Tree & Open Space Commission has not been fully and transparently involved in reviewing the environmental, canopy, and open space impacts of this project. Decisions involving tree removal and open space impacts require meaningful oversight and cannot be treated as secondary to development approvals.

5. Concerns About Process Transparency
Residents deserve a fully transparent and properly sequenced review process. There are serious concerns that key commissions and public review bodies were not fully engaged in evaluating the full scope of environmental, traffic, and historic impacts before this project advanced.

Our Request
We respectfully demand that the City of Newport:

Immediately halt all construction-related activity and tree removal associated with Bellevue Gardens
Conduct a full, transparent review of traffic, environmental, and historic district impacts
Ensure formal and documented involvement of the Tree & Open Space Commission
Reassess whether this project is appropriate for this location given existing infrastructure and environmental constraints
Provide meaningful opportunities for public input before any further action is taken
Statement of Community Concern
This petition is not opposed to thoughtful development in Newport. Rather, it asserts that development must be responsible, transparent, and consistent with the long-term livability, environmental resilience, and historic preservation of the community.

Once historic and environmental assets are lost, they cannot be replaced.