Newport City Council Approves Rezoning For Zaxby’s

Get ready for some chicken. The Newport City Council last night removed a barrier making way for Zaxby’s to build a new location on Cosby Hwy in Newport. The council gave the final okay last night to change the zoning on a piece of property on Sequoyah Drive as commercial. That property is adjacent to the main piece of property on Cosby Hwy Zaxby’s has aquired to build their new location. That location is where the former Marathon station is on Cosby Hwy near Town & Country Drugs.

Speaking of restaurants, the city council Tuesday night also had the final reading of a change to an ordinance that would lower the fencing requirement for outdoor dining in the downtown area of Newport. The council also gave the go ahead to make Newport a Tennessee Main Street Community. That designation will allow the city to apply for more grants to help in the revitalization of downtown.

The Newport City Council last night gave the go-ahead for the annual Rhythm on the River Music Festival, which is presented by the Cocke County Partnership. Rhythm On The River is a summer concert series that takes place downtown on the Riverwalk. This years’ concert series begins on June 1st and will feature performances by local artists every other week thriugh the end of July.

The city council also approved last night to pay for the damages to the building housing Rocky Top Graffix. That building was damaged by gunfire when Newport police exchanged gunfire with a man eluding capture back on December 9, 2022. The council also approved the creation of a new position of Aquatics Director for the city. This person will coordinate outdoor activities at both city pools as well as coordinating other water activities in the city.