Cup Organizers Show off Fort Adams Improvements

Beginning the morning with an appropriate Italian-themed breakfast overlooking the race course from the ballroom of Ocean Cliff, Sail Newport's Brad Read provided commentary on the first race of the day, which was punctuated by the capsizing of Artemis Racing team (which happed to have a pair of Aquidneck Island residents on board, Sean Clarkson and Morgan Trubovic).

Joining Read were representatives from the state EDC, DEM, and the Fort Adams Trust, who as it was explained, have been working steadily on preparing the fort for not only this regatta, but for the future as well.

The improvements, which were begun last year, are expected to be completed by 2013. In addition to infrastructure work around the park that was fast-tracked specifically for the America's Cup World Series, inside the fort, progress is also being made to shore up the fortification and open up the expansive outerworks.

• The first phase of improvements occurred in 2011 and included re-paved roads and removal of the traffic islands in the main parking lot. The America’s Cup World Series Newport races accelerated the timing of implementing the $185,000 improvements.  

• A $662,000 contract for land based improvements was awarded to the Lucena Brothers, a contractor based in Woonsocket, RI.
• A $400,000 contract for the marine improvements was awarded to Reagan Construction, based in Newport, RI. 

• Land side improvements include upgrades to the electric, water and lighting systems in the sailing center and are 75% complete. May 1 is the target date for completing the improvements. There are 8-12 workers on site each day. 

• The water side improvements are in progress and slated to be completed around May 1.  These improvements include build out of additional pylons and floating docks. Currently there are 6-10 people working on these upgrades daily. 

• The final phase of improvement is slated to begin in the Fall of 2012. This will include the development of a 400 ft. wave attenuator. The wave attenuator and associated dock will provide a sheltered harbor for boats and the shoreline, larger boats will have the opportunity to moor and it will protect the other docks at Fort Adams State Park. The Department of Environmental Management plans to post a request for proposal at the end of Summer 2012 for an estimated $1.5 million construction contract.

We'll have more on the preparations in next week's edition of Newport This Week.