Newport GIS Data is Now Online

A trove of geographical data about Newport, including canvassing districts, flood zones, property data and more, is now available online thanks to a new Geographic Information System portal at the city’s Web site.

The GIS portal launched on Monday and it affords users free access to maps and data overlays that normally would have required a visit to City Hall. Though the available maps provide a wealth of data already, city officials promise that more features will be rolled out in the future.

“GIS services are being used more frequently by local governments to see what is happening—and what will happen—in geographic space,” the city said in a release.

The city has been working with Critigen, LLC, based in Denver, to develop and implement this web based GIS portal. The system acts as the public face for the larger citywide GIS system that city planners and employees use to streamline workflow and communication between city departments and officials.

The portal can be a useful tool for real estate agents, developers and even insurance agents who want to confirm a house is or is not in a flood zone.

What to know what in which ward your new house will fall? Check the portal. Which city zones are historic? Where are all the city parks? Mooring locations in the bay? Water access points? Bus stops? Check the portal.

Much of the data is used by planners, developers and zoning and building officials to scrutinize real estate and development plans. By putting the data online, the city could spare time spent answering requests by walk-ins at City Hall.

With detailed street and topographical maps that can show elevation, terrain and even let you measure distances, it’s a compelling tool even just to study the nooks and crannies that make the City-by-the-Sea such a special place.

To access the portal, click here: http://newportri.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html