One of the Biggest RI Waterfront Development Battles is Headed for a Showdown
Thursday, June 09, 2022
The next step in the development of the state-owned property in the Port of Galilee (seen here, outlined) now go before the State Property Commission. PHOTO: DEM
On the one side is the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and one of the state’s largest — and most powerful — developers — Procaccianti, whose subsidiary “PRI X” currently has the lease on a large parcel of land in the State Port of Galilee in Narragansett.
On the other side are town residents, who want to see substantial mixed-use development at the location, and not more parking.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“We do not need more parking lots in Galilee. It will not help the fishing industry, nor will it help local businesses and tourism to go to Galilee,” said resident Dr. Al Alba in an online petition that has over 3,000 signatures. “We need a revitalization plan in the leased land area.”
Path to Showdown
Last fall, DEM issued a request-for-proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the shuttered Lighthouse Inn on the property; in March, it rejected all RFP submissions -- including the Town of Narragansett's.
Instead, DEM said the state would demolish the inn, “clearing the way for investors that may be interested in establishing a business that further complements and supports Rhode Island’s commercial fishing industry.”
DEM in its decision also allowed for a continuation of the lease to PRI X for substantial surface parking on the waterfront property — which residents continue to fight against.
Now, the State Properties Committee is slated to take up the DEM decision, and opponents plan to turn out.
“DEM has indicated that it will soon be submitting to the State Properties Committee proposed documents revising its current lease with PRI X, LLC for the Lighthouse Inn and two adjacent parcels,” Gregory Shultz with the RI Attorney General’s office told GoLocal. “No date has yet been scheduled for SPC review.”
Alba told GoLocal that opponents to expanded parking — as opposed to higher-density mixed-use potential — will have to “prove harm” in order to challenge DEM’s decision.
“The harm here is that this is not the highest and best use of the land,” Alba told GoLocal.
In his petition, Alba said he believes Procaccianti’s recent purchase of Champlin’s Marina on Block Island is behind their push for more parking in Galilee.
“RIDEM is leading communications on this project,” said Ralph Izzi for Procaccianti, when asked for comment on the petition. “Please refer all questions to them.”
RI DEM spokesperson Mike Healey explained the state's process -- and how parking fits into the big picture.
"The Lighthouse Inn property is split into three parcels. The RFP sought actionable plans to redevelop the front parcel (Lot 250) where the former inn now stands," said Healey. "A new lease that would allow parking on Lots 256 and 257 is under negotiation. DEM will be taking back Lot 250 for redevelopment. DEM and PRI X went out for an RFP for the redevelopment of Lot 250 based on a memorandum of agreement entered into in July 2021."
"Parking lot leases in the Port of Galilee do not go out to competitive bid. DEM sets and controls all parking rates in the port," said Healey. "The rental rates charged by DEM for all land leases in the port are set by an independent appraisal that’s conducted every three years. These appraised rental rates are then presented to and approved by the State Properties Committee."
Critics of the continued emphasis on parking requested in an APRA the gross receipts for State Parking Lot G in Galilee as well as the number of days the lot was filled to capacity each year for the past ten years.
In January 2022, RIDEM said in response that revenue was $133,910 at the lot in 2012; by 2021 that amount was up to $181,880.
As to the number of days the lot was full each year, RI DEM said was not possible to respond, saying the reason is the lot is not automated.
Latest in Town Battle
In 2021, Narragansett Town Councilwoman Ewa Dzwierzynski produced a video raising questions about the lease agreements — and future of the property.
Dzwierzynski argued that PRI X was in default of its current lease — and more.
“The renewal should be subject to meeting all the existing terms in the lease. However — for several years PRI X has not complied with the primary terms of its lease — and the Town of Narragansett asserts that the town is in default of the lease terms,” she says.
“PRI X stopped operating the motel and has allowed the property to fall into disrepair creating a dangerous blighted condition. To make matters worse, PRI X has intentionally breached the lease, presumably, so an argument can be made that the buildings are now dangerous and must be torn down — and has proposed a primary use of a surface parking lot,” she added.
Narragansett Town Council President Jesse Pugh told GoLocal the town is waiting to see what transpires at the State Properties Committee meeting before considering next steps.
“As of now, nothing’s signed,” said Pugh, of any state agreements for the future of the property.
Pugh said he believes the question of PRI X being in default of their existing lease is “debatable.”
“I think they were,” said Pugh. “For them to possibly be in violation and then them getting the lease renewal, I don’t think that’s right.”
