NEWPORT, R.I. – Neighbors are expressing concerns over a proposal that would extend the city’s Ann Street Pier, claiming that the added traffic would pose a safety hazard for boaters in the area.
The $1.46 million plan, which calls for the extension of the Ann Street pier to accommodate transient small craft, and the renovation of the historic Armory building, has been in the works for just almost two years. Once completed, it’s expected to provide a shot in the arm for the Lower Thames Street neighborhood and a much needed facelift for the 124-year old armory.
The project – designed by Donham & Sweeney, Architects, of Boston – calls for the addition of entrances from Thames Street and the Ann Street Pier; storage lockers, restrooms; showers; a laundry room, vending area and ATM machines; a lounge with charts and Internet access; a concierge/information desk; office space for the city dock master and facilities manager; and an interactive information kiosk to help visitors locate sight-seeing destination and other ports of call.
And while the prospect of a public boating facility in the heart of downtown Newport has some boaters elated, others say that the project is cause for concern.
According to city officials, several neighbors have expressed their opposition to the current plan, which they claim could negatively affect the quality of boating in the area.
It was a concern that was first alluded to in September during a meeting of the city’s Redevelopment Agency, which is in charge of the project.
At the time, Turner Scott, an attorney for 41 North and the Newport Onshore Marina, wondered what effect the proposed design of the pier complex would have on his clients’ respective businesses. Those concerns were redoubled at the agency’s October meeting, with reservations also being expressed over the density that extending the pier would create.
According to neighbors, adding more dock space would create a hazard for boat owners trying to navigate to established marinas already in use.
But planning officials contend that any additional traffic that would be created from the development of a city boating center and accompanying dock would be limited to transient boaters operating recreational vessels much smaller than those that typify the higher end marinas in the area.
“Our goal is to create a critical mass which will benefit the entire area,” agency member Bart Dunbar said when the concerns were first expressed.
Further discussion is expected when the agency meets again later this month. We’ll update this post with any new information as it becomes available.
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Newport, RI
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This would be one of the very few spots recreational boaters could dingy into to go ashore and visit the local businesses.
You can already use the Ann Street Pier as a dinghy landing, and there are others down by Ida Lewis, Washington Street on Long Wharf, adjacent to the Newport Shipyard, Elm Street.
Actually one of the recent problems is businesses (particularly the one operating out of the Inn on Long Wharf) appropriating public dinghy docks for their own use, attempting to charge visitors for the privilege of using the publicly supplied landing.
Why is it that the town feels the need to provide a service that’s already provided by private entities, thereby competing with them at (no doubt) great financial loss to the city? Is there a reason the City holds onto this piece of property rather than selling (with restrictive covenants as to its use?) Are we about to see a massive tax break to the Pirate Museum folks to get them in the place?
The Ann Street Pier has been downtown Newport’s best kept secret–the last undeveloped pier that one could actually walk along, and stand or sit on to view the harbor, away from the fray. It is the last familiar sight from the Newport waterfront I knew as a child. I have long feared that this jewel’s days were numbered. And my fears have come true. I am concerned that soon this pier will be closed to regular folk, like so many others. And even if it isn’t, it will lose its charm. But that is the city’s idea of progress, I guess. Anything along the waterfront that doesn’t generate a revenue stream is seen as a liability. Can we not have passive havens along the downtown waterfront –where people can sit and reflect?