Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 85

6 Neighborhoods Bellevue Avenue and Estates This large neighborhood is located at the southeastern edge of Newport, encompassing most of Newport’s shoreline along Easton Bay. Extending north from Land’s End to Parker Avenue (but also including areas farther north) and west to Coggeshall Avenue/Spring Street, this area is mainly low-density residential and institutional land uses. In general, lots are large “estate” lots of several acres and most of the homes are relatively large and historic, although density is generally higher in the northern portions of the neighborhood. Much of this neighborhood, along Bellevue Avenue, is part of Newport’s Historic District. The area is well-maintained and includes extensive landscaping and mature trees. The primary Institutional land use is the Salve Regina University as well as historic sites and mansions, including The Breakers, The Elms, Rosecliff and Marble House. Housing values here are amongst the highest in Newport. Historic Hill Historic Hill is located in central Newport, adjacent to and east of the downtown. The neighborhood is bisected by Route 138A, with the southerly portion being bounded by Spring, Bowery and Bellevue. The northerly portion is bounded by Spring, Bellevue and Touro. The southerly portion is made up almost entirely by the Bellevue Shopping Center, Aquidneck Park, the Newport Public Library and Kingscote. The southern portion also contains a strip of commercial along its frontage with Memorial Boulevard. The northern portion is more diverse and includes moderate density single family homes, Touro Park and the Newport Tower, the Hotel Viking, the Elks Lodge and the Touro Synagogue. Newport Tower is a major historic landmark in Touro Park. The Newport Tower is also known as the Old Stone Tower, Touro Tower, and the Old Stone Mill. Historians believe that the tower was originally built in 1675 by the then Governor, Benedict Arnold. Governor Benedict Arnold is the Great-Grandfather of the infamous General Benedict Arnold. Touro Synagogue is also located in the Historic Hill neighborhood at its northern edge. Construction of the synagogue started in 1759, making it the oldest remaining synagogue in the United States. The synagogue gets its name from Abraham Touro who willed $10,000 to the State of Rhode Island for support and maintenance. Kay / Catherine Located just north of Historic Hill, the Kay / Catherine Neighborhood is mainly comprised of medium-density residential. A small portion on the southern edge of the neighborhood is a part of a Historic District. The north end of this neighborhood surrounds the Newport Hospital. Eustis / Easton’s Pond The Eustis / Easton’s Pond neighborhood is located in Newport’s eastern corner, adjacent to Middletown. The neighborhood mainly consists of medium density residential. Easton’s Beach, along Memorial Blvd, and Braga Memorial Field provide open space for residents. Within the neighborhood are two ponds, Easton Pond and Green End Pond. The Green End Pond lies mostly in the Town of Middletown. These ponds are used as surface water suppliers for the Newport Water Division (NWD) and the Station 1 Water Treatment Plant located in the neighborhood. More about the NWD and the Station 1 Water Treatment Plant can be found in Chapter 14, Water. Easton’s Beach is also within the Eustis and Easton’s Pond neighborhood. The beach is three-quarters of a mile long and features a 1950’s carousel, a playground, skate park, grilling facilities, as well as the Rotunda Ballroom which hosts different events and wedding ceremonies. The beach also acts as the start of the Cliff Walk that ends in the Bellevue Avenue and Estates neighborhood. Old Beach The Old Beach Neighborhood is located in central Newport, and functions primarily as a residential neighborhood. Old Beach also has a few institutional draws, such as the St Michaels School, the Newport Art Museum, and the historical Redwood Library & Athenæum within its boundaries. As such, the neighborhood is almost entirely within the Historic Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016) Page 6-5