To the editor:

As we approach the March 28 Planning Board meeting focused on the 25 Watson property, I would like to urge residents to attend and help protect and preserve this space. 

Our community owns  the 7+ acres of land overlooking Narragansett Bay-a parcel of land that has been relatively undisturbed for over half a century. 

Current draft plans for the property will divide it up and have it developed into housing of a variety of sizes and densities. Despite a majority of responses in the community engagement process advocating for the site to remain open space, the open space highlighted to remain is not a majority of the property. What little space is designated to remain open also has space marked for a parking lot, which will further degrade the existing environment. With the property situated uphill from a coastal wetland and the bay, development of the property runs high risk of detrimental impact on our local ecosystem. A solar assessment of the building has not even yet been done, which could further generate sustaining revenue on the existing structure in its prime location on an open, sunny lot with ample southern exposure.

This property is an invaluable asset to our community as it stands. It can be a state-of-the-art science center, collaborating with our state’s premier universities. It can be a performance hall, artist studios, community kitchen and event space, a place for weddings. The site can help provide our community food and nourishment- a place for community gardens and wellness retreats. All these options have the potential to generate revenue. Regarding maintenance and upkeep of the current building there are numerous federal grants available. This funding equates to literally millions of dollars accessible to our community to create the vision we have expressed over and over. There are grants from USDA, the National Park Service, and CDC to preserve open space and ecosystems, increase renewable energy, and increase community access to healthy recreation sites. These grants will easily cover the costs of converting the space to the vision that so many residents hold.

I know that many residents are eager to offload the tax burden of the property. If the town is not interested in protecting this space, then they should work with the state, universities, and engaged residents to apply for grants. They should hand over control of the property to those who will follow through on the real vision that resulted from the planning process. Here in Barrington, we have tremendous human capital in our community. The residents who have been involved in this process have the skills and technical capabilities to see through their vision with the right leaders in place. 

It has been a safe, healthy place where a community of Carmelite Sisters grew to old age, highlighting the value of this property to remain as it is. Let us work to preserve this invaluable asset into perpetuity.

Blaise Rein

Barrington