Sale of NK Park and Ride Lot Tabled Pending Committee Opinion

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation will have to wait a little longer for an advisory opinion regarding the sale of one of North Kingstown's Park and Ride lots to CVS/pharmacy. The DOT appeared before the State Properties Committee Tuesday morning, seeking an opinion on a proposed sale of the commuter parking lot located at the corner of Route 2 and 102 in North Kingstown.

One of the key points that DOT was seeking clarification on was whether or not they could continue with the sale without providing a replacement parking lot. Originally, the DOT was looking to use a plot of land just up the road on Route 2. Unfortunately, that land is no longer feasible as an alternate location, according to information relayed to Rep. Robert Craven and Sen. James Sheehan of North Kingstown.

According to press releases from several of North Kingstown's state legislators, the DOT is now looking to send commuters to park at the MBTA parking garage at Wickford Junction. That garage, however, is not a free lot and charges $4 per day for parking.

According to a DOT spokesperson, they are looking at all options before finalizing the sale – including the expansion of an existing commuter lot, finding other locations suitable for a commuter lot and consolidation of transit parking at an intermodal facility at Wickford Junction.

DOT would need to return before the State Properties Committee with any request to sale the Park and Ride, which is a piece of state property. The committee tabled the issue for further review.