NEW: Newport City Council Votes on Expansion of Table Games for Newport Grand

Thursday, May 29, 2014

 

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The next big battle over gaming is now officially on as the Newport City Council by a vote of 4-3 approved a resolution to ask the General Assembly to place on the November ballot to allow voters to consider expanding Newport Grand slot parlor to include table games.

The narrow victory for the developers, led by former Providence Mayor Joe Paolino, sets the stage for a hard fought campaign to gain voter approval. Two years ago statewide voters approved Newport Grand's request for expansion of gaming to include table games, but Newport voters rejected the expansion.

Changes to gaming laws such as expansion of games must be approved by both statewide voters and the voters in the host community.

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Last night at Newport City Hall, an overflowing crowd of residents listened and spoke on the proposal.

Narrow Victory

After the very narrow victory, Paolino issued the following statement:

"We are encouraged by the City Council's vote and look forward to working with the General Assembly to advocate for passage there as well. Our vision for Newport Grand is clear - we are committed to saving hundreds of jobs and creating even more, developing a space that suits the character of the community, and bolstering the city and state's economy. We are ready to share our vision with the voters."

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Joe Paolino, leads the development team

Debate Will Rage

In a Guest MINDSETTER™ column in GoLocalProv on Tuesday, Newport resident and casino opponent Didi Lorillard wrote:

"If the Newport City Council votes to support another gambling referendum to put the casino question on the ballot again, they are giving carte blanche for gaming tables anywhere and everywhere in Newport. Those who are taxpayers and landowners and even those who aren't do not want a gambling culture to cloud the historic and aesthetic integrity of their city. They don't want or need huge casinos on their waterfront. Only a teeny tiny bit of state taxes collected from Newport return to Newport, which would make Newport merely a cash cow for the state. Newport has nothing to gain."

But the developers responded with their own claims - that they support the City and that they would not move the facility.  Paolino wrote in GoLocal, "My partners and I are committed to Newport. We are Newporters – not by birth, but by choice. We have chosen to invest and own homes in a city that we appreciate.  We care about the city, the local economy and most importantly, the people and the families in Newport. With the voter’s help we will revive Newport Grand – keeping it at its current location, creating jobs for local residents, and helping to speed Rhode Island’s economic recovery by ensuring that Newport Grand is a renowned entertainment venue hosting top performers."

Next step in this battle is the Rhode Island State House where the General Assembly will need to approve the request by the Newport Council and send it to the Newport voters.

 

Related Slideshow: Newport’s Wyndham Estate in Photos

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Wyndham Estate

Constructed in 1890, Wyndham Estate is a 2 1/2 story ashlar stone Baronial home designed by architect William Ralph Emerson, cousin of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

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History

Wyndham Estate celebrates its 125th anniversary next year.  The mansion was designed and built for its original owner, Rose Anne Grosvenor, a philanthropist from Providence.

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Room to Grow

The home boasts 12,175 square feet of living space, with 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, and 9 fireplaces, on nearly 12 acres of property.

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Bedrooms

With a spacious Master Bedroom, large circular Turret and East bedrooms, plus four guest bedrooms; hosting overnight guests is never likely to be problematic in this mansion.

* Master Bedroom - 22'8" by 14'

* Turret Bedroom - 17'10" circular

* East Bedroom - 17'2" by 17'5"

* Guest Bedroom - 12'4" by 11'6"

* Guest Bedroom - 18'6" by 14'10"

* Guest Bedroom - 11'3" by 11'3"

* Guest Bedroom - 12'5" by 8'2"

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Location, Location...

Wyndham Estate lies in the heart of Newport, only one half mile from both the New York Yacht Club and Newport Country Club, and one mile from Fort Adams State Park.

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Grand Ballroom

Whether it is a wedding, holiday party, or family function, Wyndham Estate's 1200 square foot Grand Ballroom makes for a perfect space for entertaining guests. 

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Music Room

Outfitted with beautiful artwork and a grand piano, the mansion's music room is a great place to hide away and tickle the ivories.  In fact, at 475 square feet, you could probably fit most of an orchestra in this room.

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On Top of the World

(Or top of the island, at least)

Wyndham Estate sits atop the highest point of Newport - and has the views to prove it. 

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Kitchen

Wyndham Estate boasts a large 320 square foot kitchen (with service area) on the first level, making for great dinner parties. There is an additional galley kitchen on the home's top level. 

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Landscape

The large, 11.76 acre property is well-manicured with several custom landscaping features including at three-tier waterfall with a private sitting area, and a manmade pond

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Bathrooms

With 2 1/2 bathrooms on the first floor, and 4 on the second level, finding a place to quickly powder your nose will rarely be an issue. 

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Library

If you are looking for a quiet place to read or study, the mansion features a home library...try not to become distracted by the view.

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Roof Deck

Perfect for summertime entertainment, the mansion features a 47' by 27' open air observation deck with stunning views.

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Hot Tub

What better way to relax after a long day than climbing up to the 18' circular roof top hot tub?

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Attention to Detail

When William Ralph Emerson designed Wyndham Estate, no detail was spared, evidenced by the intricate wood-carved moldings found throughout the mansion.

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Renovation

Wyndham Estate underwent major renovation and restoration a few years ago, but much of the much of the home's original essence remains intact.

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Walk-in Closet

More like live-in closet!

At 12'10" by11'10", the closet attached to the Master Bedroom is bigger than many bedrooms... no need to trim down your wardrobe here!

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Grand Staircase

The mansion's Grand Staircase allows one to enter the room with style.  There is also a separate servant's staircase to access the second floor. 

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Dining Room

Just off the Grand Ballroom sits the home's formal dining room, perfect for intimate dinners. 

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The Grounds

Wyndham Estate is comprised of three separate lots of record, with the mansion itself sitting on Lot B (4.05 Acres).  Lots A and C are each just under 4 acres apiece. 

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Fireplaces

There is little better on a cold New England winter night than cozying up to a warm fire. Wyndham Estate, has 9 different fireplaces to choose from.

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Newport Mansions

Newport is known for its landscape of mansions spanning from Ocean Drive to Bellevue Avenue.  From Rosecliff to Vanderbilt's The Breakers, and dozens in-between, Newport has a rich history of wealth, and the lifestyle that comes with it. 

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Cliff Walk

Want to experience a different view of the Newport Mansions?  Try the Newport Cliff Walk.  The 3.5 mile long public access pathway pairs the beauty of the Newport coastline with some of the island's historic mansions -- including Beechwood, Rosecliff, Marble House, The Breakers, Ochre Court, and Rough Point 

 

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