MESA was charged by the city of Newport to providing master planning services to Front Street in the downtown core of the city. Front Street was once the main commercial district in town with the railroad depot and tracks on one side of the street being a focal point within the community. Over the years the commercial business of the town has moved out and this historic core is mostly empty and has been lacking in maintenance and overall care.

There is a movement to again reinvest into the historic core along Front Street and a vision of visual and physical improvements are the focus of the master plan. Planned improvements will include new sidewalk paving, streetscape landscaping, ADA accessibility, pedestrian lighting, new parking, storefront improvements, and the creation of civic park spaces.