Proposed Narragansett Park Plaza redevelopment gains key approval

East Providence City Council backs removal of traffic “jug handle”

By Mike Rego
Posted 1/18/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — After years of decline and decay, a new day could be on the horizon for the moribund Narragansett Park Plaza at the border of East Providence and Pawtucket.

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Proposed Narragansett Park Plaza redevelopment gains key approval

East Providence City Council backs removal of traffic “jug handle”

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — After years of decline and decay, a new day could be on the horizon for the moribund Narragansett Park Plaza at the border of East Providence and Pawtucket.

The site, which some four decades ago was transformed from the historic horse racing track to a commercial plaza, is on the road to redevelopment after the city council at its meeting Tuesday night, Jan. 16 approved a request from its owners to remove a key traffic restriction on the property.

The council agreed to the “abandonment” of, to strip wording from an existing ordinance allowing the proprietors to discard out of the design of the property a point of egress or slipway to Newport Avenue from Narragansett Park Drive, often referred to as a “jug handle.”

Nearly all of the jug handle is in East Providence, running currently mostly in front of the Papa Gino’s pizzeria, the rest being in Pawtucket. The reverse is the case of how the overall property is split between the two municipalities, about two-thirds of which is in Pawtucket.

According to representatives of the Carpionato Group, owners of the land, the original intent of the jug handle was to alleviate the flow of cars exiting the plaza onto Newport Avenue/State Highway Route 1A. However, as time passed, the strip “has become an impediment instead of a spur,” said Kelly Coates, president of the Carpionato Group.

“The front door to the property has always been goofy,” Mr. Coates continued. “There’s never been a proper entrance off of Newport Avenue.”

Mr. Coates said the removal of the jug handle would allow Carpionato to redevelop much of the 39.3 acres in a more traditional manner, with store fronts running parallel with Newport Avenue. He said the redevelopment would hopefully become the “anchor” for the entire area, a draw to other businesses and patrons, providing the plaza with what he called a more “compelling presentation.”

The Carpionato mixed-use plan for the site is to introduce 240,770 square feet of retail and restaurant space as well as 118,770 square feet of office space and 72 residential units. Nearly all of the existing structures on the site would be razed, except for the former Stop & Shop Supermarket. The intention of Carpionato is to renovate the 58,000 square foot building.

“We want to square off and incorporate a strong retail and restaurant presence at the top of the street to entice people back into the development,” Mr. Coates explained, adding the location would be more dense, with new buildings, safer ingress and egress and with all modern amenities.

The redevelopment is akin to what Carpionato did in Cranston at the former Sockanossett Training School, transforming the location into what is now named “Chapel View.” The redeveloped parcel includes a Starbucks coffee shop, a Staples office supply store and a BankNewport branch.

“We’re experienced in these kinds of projects,” Mr. Coates added. “This is a standard development process and procedure we’ve done before.”

Again, because of its somewhat unique location, the owners must present its proposal to authorities in both cities. The Pawtucket Planning Commission gave its approval to the master plan back in mid-December of last year. The plan was presented to the East Providence Planning Board two weeks ago. It must also get the backing of other bodies, including those at the state level.

One concern raised about the proposal came from the owners of Simpson Pharmacy, which rests opposite Narragansett Plaza in East Providence on Newport Avenue. Simpson representatives expressed reservations about the initial location of the planned new entrance and traffic signal, saying it would be an impediment for its mostly aged and disabled customers.

Mr. Coates said Carpionato would attempt to address any qualms neighboring business had with the proposal, noting as well the Rhode Island Department of Transportation along with both boards from East Providence and Pawtucket would have final determination on any traffic and site plans associated with the project.

Once all the necessary permits and approvals are gained for the redevelopment of Narragansett Park Plaza, Mr. Coates said, “We’d like to break ground in the summer, get it rolling and moving.”

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