Interested in preserving a community? Look at Newport as a model!
Located directly along the Ohio River, Newport, Kentucky is a successful example of how Historic Preservation benefits people and places. While the city is only three square miles, it is full of historic treasures and diverse communities with important histories.
Newport is home of Kentucky’s second-largest local historic district in the Commonwealth, The East Row. Plus a total of seven National Register historic districts, four local historic districts, and numerous individually listed landmarks. City officials, business owners, and residents see the impact of preserving their past, and they are supporting local efforts in many ways.
The Historic Preservation office has increased the number of staff from one to three so that more services and support are possible for the home and building owners in Newport.
The Kentucky Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program pays 30% of rehab costs for owner-occupied projects and 20% for income-producing properties. Since 2011, over $10 million worth of investment in tax credit projects has occurred with $1.7 million in credits going directly to citizens. This doesn’t even include the federal credits! However, preservation does even more for a community beyond tax credits. Scott Clark explains,
“Historic Preservation in Newport runs deeper than economic benefits alone. It also adds value through prideful residents, community connection, and a quality of life for homeowners. The police have commented how historically preserved neighborhoods seem safer as they are often home to people who look out for each other and their properties.”
The Buena Vista Historic District was officially listed in the Register on February 13, 2020 as the seventh district in Newport, and the Buena Vista Local District was established in May of 2024. The Board of Commissioners is exploring the possibility of implementing a grant program to assist residents in the Buena Vista Historic District with the expenses of certain repairs.
“Newport has gone above and beyond when it comes to Historic Preservation. We are interested in embracing and keeping the character and composition of the town which includes the citizens. Preservation should be available to everyone.” -Daylin Garland
Most of Buena Vista’s buildings date from c. 1850 to 1925, with the majority constructed from c. 1870 to 1900. Its predominant building types are two- and three-bay and Northern Kentucky townhouses, Newport shotgun cottages, and L-plan residences.
The dominant architectural styles are Italianate, Second Empire, Eastlake and Queen Anne, and a few buildings reflect the influence of the Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman modes. Many properties, however, do not reflect any particular style, achieving distinction by form alone. Within this framework, the district exhibits remarkable diversity, with many of its streetscapes presenting a mixture of house types, styles, and materials, apparently built over several decades.
Historic Preservation has created a ripple effect as well. Neighbors across Newport are inspiring, supporting, and motivating each other on their personal building projects!
“When you preserve the historic integrity of a property, it’s like a built-in insurance policy as you also preserve the value of the property.” -Jennifer Williams
In collaboration with Northern Kentucky University, Newport now has a FREE app called Newport History Walk which includes a self-guided tour through Northern Kentucky’s oldest river city! Participants can discover the places and events that shaped the region, and more stops are being added.
Get Involved
Northern Kentucky Restoration Weekend is Saturday, May 17th, 2025 where a full day of free preservation themed classes and demo’s are offered. The annual event seeks to assist historic property owners in making sensitive and appropriate choices in the maintenance and rehabilitation of their properties. As our nation faces challenges in affordable housing, affordable commercial space for small business development, and in preservation of culture and story, NKY Restoration Weekend exhibits how historic preservation is one of the most viable solutions to these problems.
A workshop to learn more about tax credits from Kentucky is scheduled for October 23rd, 2024 and Newport has been selected to host the Kentucky Heritage Council’s State Preservation Conference on May 15-16, 2025.
Contact Scott Clark for more information at sclark@newportky.gov / 859-655-6347.
