The former Navy Hospital in Newport is just one of the sites that could be redeveloped. (Source: AIPC)
NEWPORT, R.I. – Ending years of anticipation, planning, and procedure, the Department of the Navy announced today that 260 acres of surplus Navy property along the west shore of Aquidneck Island will soon become available for acquisition and redevelopment.
The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) was informed today by Gregory Preston, Deputy Director of the Base Realignment and Closure Program Management Office (BRAC PMO) that the Navy is officially announcing the release of properties in the Federal Register this week.
“The BRAC process for surplussing 260 acres of Naval Station Newport property that officially began on December 23, 2008 seemed at times as though it would never end,” the AIPC’s Tina Dolen said in a news release this afternoon. “That day is finally here.”
During the lengthy waiting period, the Navy had granted four extensions, equaling 150 days, to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, acting on behalf of the Narragansett Tribe, to fully research and consider any and all approaches in preparation for an application to BRAC for the Navy properties.
On December 4, 2009, almost a year after the initial surplus notice, the Bureau of Indian Affairs withdrew its application and informed the BRAC Program Management Office that it was unable to pursue the federal transfer of property.
The decision to list the property on the register does not preclude the Narragansetts from placing an application for all, or a portion of the land.
The next step in the process involves official recognition by the Office of Economic Adjustment and the Navy (through a notice in the Federal Register) of the already comprised “Aquidneck Island Reuse Planning Authority (AIRPA).” This group is also known as a local redevelopment agency, and is a required authority with multiple responsibilities in the 18 month excess property planning process. AIRPA consists of two Council appointees and alternates from Middletown, Portsmouth and Newport. It is supported by a nine-member “ex-officio” group representing state and local agencies.
In December 0f 2005, the AIPC published its “West Side Master Plan,” to specifically and collaboratively address the future reuse of Navy land along the west side of Aquidneck Island. This plan advances strategies for a shared, community-based vision for the West Side. The plan builds upon a community consensus and outlines development that is designed to optimize economic returns to the communities, preserve sensitive environmental areas, provide new recreational opportunities and access to Narragansett Bay, improve transportation, create bicycle and trail networks, and maximize opportunities for the marine trades and Navy related technology industries. There is a great deal more to the 350 page plan, which will now provide the basis for an updated redevelopment plan to be overseen by the AIRPA.
The AIPC is completing work on a grant proposal to the Office of Economic Adjustment that includes a fresh market analysis for the West Side and Aquidneck Island, hiring a BRAC experienced consulting firm to create a reuse plan for Navy properties that will likely draw upon the West Side Master Plan, funds for a Reuse Coordinator position to support the AIRPA, and various equipment and supplies to undertake the project work. Results from the proposal may be made available within the month.
This development, according to the AIPC, offers an unprecedented economic, recreational and infrastructure development opportunity to Aquidneck Island and Rhode Island. The 260 acres of excess land, most with water views of Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor, represent real estate that is unparalleled in the state. Yet the land is not without its challenges for redevelopment. and for that reason, the carefully orchestrated redevelopment planning process will allow for environmental issues to be fully explored.
AIPC has a scheduled planning meeting for members of the Aquidneck Island Reuse Planning Authority (AIRPA) Tuesday at 2 p.m. in Portsmouth Town Hall to review next steps, including the Federal Grant, Election of Officers, advertising for a Reuse Coordinator, and the duties of the Authorizing Official, which mayl be the City of Newport. The Reuse Planning process is estimated to take approximately 18 months. One of AIRPA’s first actions will probably be to schedule a public workshop to explain the process to Elected Officials, Administrators and the public at large.
This post was updated on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 12:45 p.m.
Loading ...
Newport, RI
