The Breakers: State Supreme Court Declines to Hear Petition about Welcome Center

NEWPORT, RI —The state Supreme Court has declined to hear a petition from the neighborhood group hoping to stop the construction of a Welcome Center on the grounds of The Breakers mansion.

It's good news, the Preservation Society's leaders said.

"This is exceptionally good news for the more than 450,000 people who visit The Breakers each year from around the world," said Preservation Society Chairman Monty Burnham. "Having modern hospitality for visitors to this National Historic Landmark is vital. It’s time now to set aside the differences over this project and move on to strengthen Newport's future."

Here is the explanation the Preservation Society's lawyer gave, as posted on Facebook.

The Patch has contacted the Bellevue Ochre Point Neighborhood Association for a comment and will update this story as information becomes available.

Here is the rest of the official statement from the Preservation Society.

"The Preservation Society of Newport County welcomes today's decision by the Rhode Island Supreme Court to let stand Judge Stone's ruling that no further review is needed of the Newport Zoning Board’s approval of The Breakers welcome center.

"The Preservation Society thanks the thousands of people who have supported this effort," said CEO and Executive Director Trudy Coxe. “We especially congratulate the Newport Zoning Board for its careful consideration of this project. A Special Use Permit is only approved on the merits of each individual proposal. We have always believed in the unique merits of The Breakers welcome center."