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Atlantic Beach District Master Plan
Atlantic Beach District Master Plan
In 2005, the Middletown Planning Board began a process of soliciting input and support from the community for improvements to the Atlantic Beach District. The Town is seeking to enhance the area both as a tourist destination and for local residents. The Town was awarded a Planning Challenge Grant by the Statewide Planning Program in 2006 that provided partial funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration for the development of this master plan.
The Atlantic Beach District Master Plan will serve as the primary document guiding the transformation of this area into a vibrant, walkable commercial area, capitalizing on its relatively dense development pattern and proximity to local beaches, historic Newport, and other attractions. The Town expects to use this Master Plan, in part, to seek capital grants to implement recommended improvements within the public rights-of-way, and to guide private investment and development.
Aquidneck Avenue Streetscapes Project
In 2022, the Town authorized funding to redesign an approximate 1/2 mile stretch of Aquidneck Avenue within the Atlantic Beach District. The project includes widening sidewalks, resetting curbs, new decorative lighting, street trees, benches, and other amenities along the roadway. The project is currently at 30% design. A public workshop meeting on October 23, 2024 was held to gather public input. The Town Council has authorized proceeding to 90% plans, work which is currently underway.
Aquidneck Ave Streetscapes 30% Plans
Public Workshop Presentation 10-23-24
Public Workshop Recording 10-23-24
Dunlap Wheeler Park Improvements Design Project
As recommended in the Atlantic Beach District Master Plan, in 2024 the Town Council authorized funding to hired a landscape design consultant to work with Town staff and committees to develop a design to enhance the park, making it more inviting and functional, as well as more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Over the past months potential development concepts were vetted by Town staff, committees and the public before a preferred development concept was presented to the Town Council for consideration on March 16, 2026. Slide presentations and design concepts are provided below.
Open Space & Fields Committee presentation #1