Newport City Manager Colin Kennedy provided updates on several city initiatives during his monthly conversation with What'sUpNewp on Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Kennedy announced plans to implement a new artificial intelligence-powered customer service system for the city by the end of January. The system will allow residents to get answers to common questions through an AI voice assistant or online chat.
"Our hope is that eventually the word will get out that this is actually a really good service," Kennedy said. "It's not a robotic voice like you might have been accustomed to in the past with archaic voicemail. This is really, really good technology."
The AI system will pull information from city websites and documents to provide answers in multiple languages, including Spanish and Portuguese. Kennedy said it should reduce call volume for city staff while improving service for residents.
"We're not trying to take humans out of the loop," he emphasized. "We're going to make it so that whether you use the traditional web service search system or the AI search and you can do that on our website, or you use the AI phone number or our master phone number that has traditionally been on our contact list, either way, you're going to have the option of whether you want to speak immediately to a human or you're willing to try working with some artificial intelligence first."
While answering questions submitted by What'sUpNewp readers, Kennedy also provided an update on development plans for Newport's North End, including the former Newport Grand casino site owned by the Carpionato Group. He said the city is working with engineering firms on infrastructure plans and renderings for the area.
"I've seen a few of them. They're not ready for public view yet, but we're getting very close to that," Kennedy said.
He noted significant infrastructure work is needed before development can occur, as the area lacks stormwater drains and utility connections. Kennedy said the city is in discussions with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation about acquiring land in the area.
"We can't just put buildings there. There's no infrastructure," he explained. "There were a bunch of road ramps there for years, and so there was never a need to put stormwater drains and gas and electric in that area. So all of that has to be established."
In response to several submitted questions, Kennedy addressed concerns about hotel development on Bellevue Avenue, noting that hotels are allowed by right in general business zones under current zoning. He said the City Council would need to change ordinances to restrict hotel development in those areas.
Regarding a question regarding construction notifications, Kennedy acknowledged room for improvement in notifying residents about upcoming work, especially on smaller streets. He said the city is looking at ways to enhance communication beyond social media posts.
"Sometimes I think we put a lot of this out on our social media but I think sometimes we have to take a step back and realize that many, many of our residents just are not active on social media," Kennedy said.
The city manager also reminded residents that applications for Newport's lower-tier property tax rate will be accepted from Jan. 2 to March 15. The lower rate is available to owner-occupied properties and landlords renting units for 12 months or longer.
"I encourage everybody else who calls Newport home and who lives here full time or who helps us as a community by renting for 12 months or greater periods to all of their tenants to apply for this benefit," Kennedy said.
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