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August 7, 2007

New park: State moves to buy Rocky Point shoreline

PROVIDENCE -- The State Properties Committee today endorsed a plan to purchase 41 acres along the Warwick Neck waterfront – including a one-mile stretch of undeveloped coastline, believed to be the only property of its kind left on Narragansett Bay.

Officials hope to transform the dilapidated property into a place where Rhode Islanders can jog, fish and picnic.

The land is expected to cost $4.4 million.

“Having the ability to protect that for the State of Rhode Island is a once in a lifetime chance we have right now,” said Lisa Primiano, head of the land conservation program for the state Department of Environmental Management.

The plan has already received the preliminary blessing of the City Council and City Planning Director Mark Carruolo says the purchase and sales agreement could be signed in the next “few days.” Ultimately, the deal must be approved by a federal bankruptcy court.

Under the terms of the agreement presented to the properties committee today, the City of Warwick would maintain ownership of the 41-acre property. But the state would own a “conservation and public access easement,” which would give the DEM strict control over use of the property.

Development would likely be limited to two parking lots on either end of the property, walking paths along the 5,000-plus feet of coastline, a handful of benches and a picnic area, according to Primiano. And a crumbling pier that remains on the property may be restored for fishing or ferry access, DEM director W. Michael Sullivan said.

“There will be unconditional statewide access,” Sullivan told the properties commission. “It is a phenomenal opportunity for what is, to someone my age, a very memorable property.”

-- Steve Peoples, Journal State House Bureau

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 5:37 PM | Permalink

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