State, Aquidneck Island Communities to Collaborate on Redevelopment of Former Navy Land for Economic Development Opportunity
March 9, 2009 | Print this page | Share This |
Through the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), the state of Rhode Island has agreed to work with Aquidneck Island communities to advance the communities’ vision through the West Side Master Plan for reutilizing former Navy property for Marine Related Industries, R&D office park and public uses.
With the support of Governor Donald L. Carcieri, RIEDC, the towns of Portsmouth and Middletown and the city of Newport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to maximize this important opportunity for economic growth.
“By choosing to work with the Aquidneck Island communities to redevelop the surplus federal land being freed up by the Navy, Rhode Island will take advantage of an unprecedented opportunity to create new jobs and grow the local and state economies," said Governor Donald L. Carcieri.
In the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Aquidneck Island communities, the RIEDC has agreed to provide information and advice through its experiences with Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) processes at Quonset/Davisville by developing reuse plans for select industries, and to assist in securing federal funding for planning and redevelopment efforts.
“This partnership serves as a model for how state and municipal officials can work efficiently and collaboratively on large scale projects to best serve the people of Rhode Island,” said Governor Carcieri. “The redevelopment of Navy surplus lands will be an important culmination of the communities’ vision for the West Side of Aquidneck Island, to improve Rhode Island’s infrastructure and create new opportunities for economic growth.”
In December 2005, President George W. Bush signed the final BRAC 2005 report and its recommendations into law. This impacted many military bases around the globe and the nation, and had a direct positive or negative impact on the many states and communities that hosts military bases. For Rhode Island, the BRAC 2005 process saw successes with the growth of several commands at Naval Station Newport (NSN), such as the Naval War College and Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), as well as the Rhode Island National Guard with expansions at the Quonset Air Base.
“It is imperative the state of Rhode Island continues to be actively involved with, and invest in, this new collaborative venture, called the Aquidneck Island Re-use Planning Authority (AIRPA). With state support, the Aquidneck Island communities and the Newport County Chamber of Commerce can initiate the planning process for the Navy lands, roads and utilities with preliminary development studies that build upon the West Side Master Plan (WSMP) recently approved by all three communities,” said Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce. “The redevelopment of these properties represents one of the most important economic development opportunities in Aquidneck Island’s recent history, and has the potential to expand economic redevelopment with new job growth.”
On behalf of the partnership, the RIEDC will work with the three Island Communities as they manage the federal planning process through the BRAC Program Management Office Northeast with the support of Naval Station Newport and the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA).
“This partnership will ensure that we optimize the value of this Navy property in order to maximize its economic development objectives of both the island communities and the state,” said RIEDC interim executive director J. Michael Saul. “We will look back proudly a decade from now at an exciting new landscape at the top of the bay and an innovation-based economy producing higher wage job opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.”
The U.S. Navy is prepared to release excess properties in the towns of Portsmouth, Middletown and the city of Newport. These collective properties, some with buildings, represent more than 384 acres. Rhode Island has the extraordinary opportunity to convert these former military properties into vibrant, tax-paying economic assets for the good of the communities and the state.
“Partnering with the RIEDC to create a stronger economy and better jobs for our citizens is critical for the City of Newport. Thanks to the careful planning that went into the West Side Master Plan, coordinated by the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, we’re in a great position for the implementation phase of this historic opportunity,” said Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano.
Recognizing the mutual benefit of a strong and efficient collaborative approach to planning and implementing the reuse and redevelopment of approximately 384 acres of land, the state of Rhode Island and the towns of Portsmouth and Middletown and city of Newport have agreed to work in partnership to effectuate the release of such federal land and their successful reuse.
“This project represents a dramatic step forward in converting this land onto our state tax rolls, creating a significant economic impact for decades to come,” stated House Speaker William Murphy. “This opportunity will serve to bolster our marine trades sector and create high-wage jobs opportunities for key sectors of our economy.”
“The U.S. Navy has a long and distinguished history on Aquidneck Island, and this announcement represents a new chapter in that tale,” said Senate President M. Teresa Paiva-Weed. “The defense industry plays an integral role in the state’s economy and this announcement is representative of this impact and how our state can take advantage of this unique opportunity. Taking proactive steps to ensure and strengthen this region’s economic development opportunities will undoubtedly have a statewide impact.”
“This project represents the Town of Portsmouth’s largest single opportunity in our effort to redevelop property that had been under Navy control since WWII, into a producer of new tax revenue and new jobs,” said Portsmouth Town Council President Peter J. McIntyre, President.
“We have been anticipating this change since the most recent BRAC recommendation were made and see this as an opportunity to provide a new economic development opportunity along Route 114 and Connell Highway,” said Chris Semonelli, Middletown Town Council President.
