EAST PROVIDENCE — Following the positive recommendations of two of its sub-groups the previous week, the full East Providence Waterfront Commission, at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting July 15, approved the revised concepts for the “East Point” housing development in Rumford, meaning the project may now proceed towards fruition.

The plan to redevelop the 27.11-acre former site of the Ocean State Steel heavy industrial plant adjacent to Phillipsdale Landing was submitted by Noble Development, LLC, a subsidiary of the Churchill & Banks realty firm, which initiated and is in the midst of completing a similar effort in city at Kettle Point.

The Commission gave its blessing for the developers to create up to 392 units, 112 being mostly duplex/townhouse style dwellings and along with some single family homes for sale. The rest will be apartments for rent.

As has been done about a half-dozen times since the company first approached the commission in late 2020, last week Richard Baccari II, CEO and president of Churchill & Banks, provided a brief update on the current proposal.

In describing some of the changes made to the concepts since enjoining the commission for input and suggestions, Mr. Baccari said, “We feel it’s made it a much better proposal than when started.”

Lyn Small, of New England Engineering, one of consultants assisting the developer, added a bit more depth to the presentation. She once again noted the main access point to “East Point” would be an existing curb cut on Roger Williams Avenue. The idea, she explained, is to “reutilize and enhance it to make a more formal entrance to the site.”

The property, which was one of the first put under the auspices of the Waterfront Commission some 15 years ago but eventually became a legal football for various reasons, will be split into two distinct zones: “Coastal” next to the Seekonk River and “Inland” or “Pond” next to the Omega Pond.

The “Inland” is the smaller of the two and will feature a large apartment building with approximately 15 townhouses. The “Coastal” side is the larger parcel and will provide a wider variety of housing options. The single family homes are located there, running along the shoreline.

The development will offer public access on both sides, the main feature being a pathway running close to the pond and river. In addition, the broader community will also be able to utilize a kayak/small boat launch among other amenities.

Commission consulting architect Glen Fontecchio credited members of the applicant team for the speed with which they created the concepts and the consideration they took in making some of the recommended changes. Important amendments were making the aesthetics of the buildings more consistent and adjusting the positioning of a larger apartment building on the “Coastal” side to present a more inviting, effecient streetscape.

Before concluding the presentation and prior to the vote, Mr. Baccari noted the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council had taken over comprehensive oversight of the proposal in an agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. CRMC will serve as the reviewer of the plans going forward from the state’s perspective.

Members of the commission posed a few questions before making a decision. Asked by Commissioner David O’Connell about potential traffic issues on Roger Williams Avenue and Bourne Avenue, Mr. Baccari said a study conducted by his consultant and peer reviewed for the commission by the firm Gordon R. Archibald, Inc. found no significant increases in the flows on either street. Mr. Baccari said part of that is due to the likely owners and renters of the units being older in age with no so-called “peak” times of leaving or entering the site.

Commission Executive Director Chris Martin, referring to the report of Archibald, said the main concerns it had were with visual clearance issues for drivers at both the Roger Williams Avenue  and Bourne Avenue access points, but those were anticipated to be alleviated with construction as brush will be removed. Also, it alerted the potential for congestion at the RGA-Broadway signal. The timing of the latter, though, could be better controlled by the city’s Public Works and Police Departments.

Also, commission chair and Director of Planning and Economic Development Bill Fazioli added the city has been in contact with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority to gauge interest in it possibly creating a new bus route/stop on Roger Williams Avenue, which could further reduce the number of additional cars in the area.

Commissioner Rick Lawson inquired about the timeline for construction of the main entryway. Mr. Baccari said in response it will be the first aspect of the project to begin, adding “it’s our intention for it to be our front door.” However, Mr. Baccari reminded the commission of the need for his company to come to a formal agreement with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad (formerly Providence & Worcester) on a crossing of a still active line that bisects the property.

Mr. Lawson, following up on some issues raised by Phillipsdale Landing owner Preston Halperin, asked if Mr. Baccari had taken those under consideration. Mr. Baccari noted ownership of his property comes with an existing easement for access from Bourne Avenue, but that he was “working with Preston at Phillipsdale Landing to work out details so we don’t overburden his site or the tenants.”

Mr. Baccari also explained construction of the road and preparing the “Coastal” portion for activity was likely about a six-month process. Actual building, he added, wouldn’t be able to start until sometime at the beginning of 2022, pending all of the necessary approvals needed from local and state overseers.

In-person return
Having conducted meetings virtually for over a year, the Waterfront Commission is expected to return to in-person sessions with its August 19 gathering.

Mr. Martin, on the advice of commission counsel Amy Goins, said commissioners should be ready to physically attend in August to form a quorum. Ms. Goins said it was unlikely Gov. Dan McKee would reauthorize the executive order when it expires in July allowing for virtual meetings during the pandemic. She said it was up to the commission whether or not to offer streaming of or public input at meetings virtually in the future.

More meeting notes
Mr. Lawson along with fellow commissioner Manny Barrows, recently appointed to a seat upon the resignation of original Paul Moura, were approved by their peers to sit on the commission’s Hearing Review Panel.

As part of his staff update, Mr. Martin told the commission the “Residences at Bold Point,” situated on Veterans Memorial Parkway at its intersection with Mauran Avenue, is some 90 percent competed and that the 22 units are nearly 100 percent leased. Eighteen of the 22 units will have one-bedroom, the four others will be two-bedroom. The one and two-bedroom units will range in size from 678 to 981 square feet, respectively. A second phase of the development, he continued, is shortly expect to begin with the construction of 12 more units, which will be located in the city’s newly designated “arts district.”

Also of note, Mr. Fazioli said a developer has shown serious interest in purchasing several properties on Valley Street, eyeing them for potential repurposing. He said initial proposals/concepts could come before the commission as soon as either late 2021 or early 2022 in the sales go through as planned in the short term.