Developer Hopes to Turn Farmland Into Commercial Land

A well-known Rhode Island developer is seeking to purchase the longstanding Briggs property on West Main Road. 

Derrick Mesolella, representing well-known developer and former state Rep. Vincent J. Mesolella, confirmed Monday evening that an offer has been made on the Briggs property. 

"We are in negotiations to purchase," Derrick Mesolella said. "There is a purchase and sale agreement conditional to this process." 

The developers are first seeking a zoning change for 905 West Main Road, which is known in town as the "Briggs property." 

Richard H. and Frederick D. Briggs own the land at 905 West Main Road, according to Vision Appraisal. The property is located directly across from the entrance to Hedly Street and on the corner of West Main Road and Cory's Lane. 

Vincent Mesolella, a member of CVDD III LLC in Providence, is seeking to rezone this land from light industrial to commercial. 

Portsmouth town council members questioned the firm's young respresentive about this company's plans. 

"There's a lot of rumors going on around town about this," Councilor Judi Staven said. "Are you the developer who wanted to put a Lowe's at the old skating rink in Middletown?" 

"We do own 1747 West Main Road. The Lowe's was never the case," Derrick Mesolella said. "Lowe's never signed a release." 

"Is the plan to put a Lowe's (in Portsmouth)," Staven asked.

"That is not the plan," Mesolella said.

"So you have no plans?" Staven asked again.

"Not at the moment," Mesolella said. "We don't have tenants at this time."  

The 25-acre property currently houses a boarded-up farmhouse, which is surrounced by overgrown brush. 

According to Vision Appraisal, the Briggs property dates back to 1925 when it was owned by Mervin C. and Marguerite Briggs.