Residents Hear Range of Options for Surplus Navy Land

An Aquidneck Island Reuse Planning Authority (AIRPA) workshop at the Community College of Rhode Island Thursday night showcased some of the plans for Navy surplus land on the west side of the island. Consultants from RKG presented their findings on the baseline conditions and redevelopment alternatives for the properties. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions and give input.

The five properties, consisting of the Navy Hospital in Newport, Navy Lodge in Middletown, the ribbon of property along the Defense Highway spanning Middletown and Portsmouth and Tank Farms 1 and 2 in Portsmouth , each had hypothetical designs, some with multiple scenarios.

Julie Oakley, property reuse coordinator of AIRPA, said before applications were submitted, there was a request to see if the city or any organizations would like to use the space for homeless assistance. There were no submissions. She said that since the project is in the “very beginning stages,” there is no completion date or goal, but she said it could take anywhere from five to ten10 years. There have been no demotion cost estimates yet either. 

The Navy Hospital, Newport

The former Navy Hospital offered the most possibilities, with a range of potential mixed used developments. Consultants suggested a hotel, public access to a pier and transient boating facility, office space, residential buildings and condominiums.

“These are concepts. They are not cast in stone. They are not end results,” said Darren J. A. Mochrie, of RKG Associates.

The hospital has several known environmental issues that would have to be dealt with before any renovation takes place, including asbestos and lead-based paints on site, radioactive materials and hazardous waste. It is currently zoned to be a residential space.

Currently, the City of Newport has submitted a notice of interest for the property  to use as a “marine-related recreation/open space.” They are seeking a portion of the property, including two acres of the upland area and three acres of submerged property. The city is sponsored by the Department of Interior and the National Park Service.

The Navy Lodge, Middletown

The Navy Lodge is also targeted for potential mixed-use development in the future, to include retail, commercial and office space. Road improvements were also suggested for the corner of the property to allow a right-hand-turn lane at the West Main/Coddington and West Main/East Main intersections.

The site would have to be re-zoned for the intended uses, as it is currently zoned for residential use. Plans for redevelopment among adjacent municipal and private properties were also suggested.

Defense Highway, Middletown and Portsmouth

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and the Town of Middletown have submitted applications for this property. RIDOT’s proposed use for the Defense Highway and Stringham Road is for transportation use, while Middletown has proposed to use the Midway Pier/Green Lane parcel as recreation or open space.

The Defense Highway property has problems including asbestos, hazardous materials and contaminated groundwater. The area is currently zoned for public use as open space and recreation.

Tanks 1 and 2, Portsmouth

The tank areas currently contain underground and above ground storage tanks and evidence of soil and groundwater contamination and asbestos and are zoned for a planned unit development.

Proposed developments at this site includes boat storage, office space, a parking lot, light industrial developments and the potential for a wastewater treatment facility. However, Geoffrey Morrison-Logan of VHP Inc. said the tank site would be the most challenging to redevelop. Wind power generation is another potential development opportunity, consultants said.

Attendees voiced concerns about traffic flow near the former Navy Hospital after development, incorporating marine use in the site and providing adequate pedestrian access. Oakley said the suggestions, concerns and input would all be applied to further analysis of the developments.