Stinky Situation: Proposed Development Borders Newport Trash Dump

NEWPORT, RI — The future of the proposed redevelopment project at the former Newport Grand casino is closely tied to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's plan to redesign the approach to the Pell Bridge. A key part of this project is the possible relocation of the neighboring Waste Management facility on Halsey Road, which, if left where it is, would stink for the development's residents — literally.

Last month, the Carpionato group announced plans for a new development on Admiral Kalbfus Road, at the site of the former Newport Grand Casino. The mixed-use development will include hotels, restaurants, shopping and apartments.

The site is adjacent to Halsey Street, where an industrial complex that includes the city's Waste Management facility is located. The issue of proximity was raised by a member of the community, Dave I., who works in the area and asked to only be identified by his last initial.

"I find it funny that nobody has brought up the stinky elephant in the room ... the trash transfer station directly next door," Dave said. "I can't imagine going out for drinks outside at a new hot restaurant and catching a whiff of waste management."

As it turns out, if all goes as the developer hopes, the new development and Waste Management will never be next-door neighbors.

Tom Shevlin, a spokesperson for the City of Newport, said Carpionato's plans are based on the Pell Bridge realignment, a planned redevelopment of the area leading up to the bridge. A final plan for the project has not been chosen, and four development plans have been presented. Because Carpionato is a private developer and RIDOT is in charge of the bridge realignment, the city is not a direct player in either project.

Depending on which proposal is chosen, Waste Management, a private organization that contracts with the city, might be relocated, eliminating the issue entirely.

Gregg Perry, a spokesperson for Carpionato, said the firm is prepared to move forward with construction no matter what.

"It's pretty clear that with the whole realignment, that area will be opened up," Perry said. "Of course, it would be great if Waste Management was moved, but we're prepared to move forward regardless."

Roads are usually the last step in the redevelopment process, Perry said, the so there will be plenty of time of adjust plans as needed based on RIDOT's final plans.

"We're not tied to RIDOT's project, we're tied to the permitting process," Perry continued, adding that they are waiting on approval from the City Council, RIDOT and the Department of Environmental Management. Because of this, a definite timeline has not been set for construction, but the developers hope to start work sometime next year.

RIDOT's plans estimate construction on the redesign will get underway in 2020 and be completed in 2023. Carpionato's proposal includes a redevelopment of Halsey Street into a wider boulevard, providing the main access point into the development.

So, for now, that leaves a lot of unanswered questions and what-ifs, both for RIDOT and the Carpionato development. For now, RIDOT said it is working with the Federal Highway Administration and will update the public once an environmental assessment has been completed.

Shevlin said it is too early to say where the Waste Management facility could be relocated to, should it come to pass.