South Quay site in E.P. could be home to new offshore wind port

R.I. Waterfront Enterprises proposes to augment concert venue with green energy facility

By Mike Rego
Posted 3/30/21

EAST PROVIDENCE — The long dormant shoreline parcel in city known as the South Quay or South Key to some may soon become a key staging area for the state’ emerging offshore wind …

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South Quay site in E.P. could be home to new offshore wind port

R.I. Waterfront Enterprises proposes to augment concert venue with green energy facility

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — The long dormant shoreline parcel in city known as the South Quay, or South Key to some, may soon become a key staging area for the state’s emerging offshore wind industry.

The owner of the property, Rhode Island Waterfront Enterprises LLC, has approached the administration and the Waterfront Commission about the possibility of using the location primarily for such purpose instead of a proposed permanent concert venue to replace the firm’s temporary one currently in use at Bold Point Park.

RIWE, which would have a $25 million stake in the project, has submitted a $65 million grant request to the United States Department of Transportation to earmarked for the endeavor. The state has already pre-approved $15 million in tax credits.

Melissa Martin, an executive with the R.I. Waterfront Enterprises, presented the commission with an overview of the company’s plans at the body’s March meeting.

Saying her RIWE was “really committed to the long term” use of the parcel, she added, “One of the reasons why we bought the South Quay is we thought it was a great idea to combine the offshore wind port and a concert venue together.”

Ms. Martin acknowledged, however, upon a deeper inspection of the South Quay grounds, the silty soil would not allow solely for significant construction required for the performance structure.

As for the offshore wind component, Ms. Martin admitted to the company being “a bit naive” about the industry, calling it an “international business” of which the United States is actually “a couple of decades behind.” She said other countries use upwards of 50-100-plus acres of port space for the “intense industry.” The initial plan at the South Quay called for using just five of its 50 acres.

Ms. Martin explained RIWE is working collaboratively with the Port of Providence across the river to formulate a plan for the man-made strip, which was originally intended to be a cargo port for the Providence & Worcester Railroad.

The Army Corps of Engineers, which retains oversight of the land, has been reluctant to deregulate the Type 6 industrial-only use of the property, Ms. Martin continued. She said other plans for the location never materialized because it sits on a federal navigational channel, which the Corps has maintained with a 40-foot dredge for access by larger carriers.

If approved eventually, Ms. Martin said the city could see several benefits, from no vehicular traffic to what she called “real,” lasting job creation. Among the RIWE plans are to engage the Career and Technical Education Center at the new East Providence High School to create a curriculum of studies specific to the offshore wind industry.

RIWE, she added, has engaged the firm Lloyd's Register Group to assist in the proposal. The company, based in the United Kingdom with offices in North America, helped build the nearby New Bedford, Mass., offshore wind port, which cost upwards of $100 million. A similar project in New London, Conn., cost $125 million. If and when funding, both private and public, is in place, Ms. Martin said the port could be operational as soon as December 2022.

Of the proposed permanent concert venue now that the entirety of the Quay would be for the port, Ms. Martin said RIWE is “committed as ever” to build it, but is eyeing the “bow tie section” section of the adjacent Chevron land for that aspect of the project.

In his remarks, Waterfront Commission Chairman Bill Fazioli, who also serves in the administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva as Director of Planning and Economic Development, called the South Quay a “very key parcel in the waterfront district.”

He said it has been underutilized for the last 40 years and called it an “asset,” which could have “exponential impact on our economy if it can become part of the offshore wind industry.” Mr. Fazioli continued, “It’s really going to help us launch development of the waterfront and be an economic boon in the city.”

The chairman noted for the “first time in decades” all sides — the owners, the city, state and federal regulators, non-profit organizations such as Save the Bay — agree with the potential use of the South Quay.

“All of the interests are aligned,” Mr. Fazioli said.

The chairman continued, the parties are applying for federal funding to support the offshore wind plan and that they’re hopeful of gaining support the state’s entire Congressional delegation as well as at that of the office of new Governor Dan McKee. Mr. Fazioli said the Congressional group has already, in writing to USDOT, expressed their backing of the proposal.

“Hopefully we can make this a reality,” Mr. Fazioli added. “It’s something that the Waterfront Commission can be part of in terms of permitting and creating employment opportunities.”

Said Mayor DaSilva, participating in the meeting discussion in his role as an ex officio commission member, “It’s just going to be a wonderful development for the community and the state…We would be at the forefront on offshore wind…It would create jobs and revenue for city as well.”

Pier at Kettle Point
As part of his meeting opening remarks, Mr. Fazioli told the members the city has taken formal ownership of the refurbished pier at Kettle Point as part of a prior agreement with the developers there.

He said while the pier is open to the public, and has been actively used by residents for several months, the city still needs to install some signage and tidy up the landscaping prior to a formal grand opening ceremony planned shortly.

Comprehensive Plan survey
The chairman also reminded the members of the survey currently being conducted by the city as it endeavors to update its Comprehensive Plan for future land use.

East Providence remains operating under the guidance of a plan last updated in 2010. Mr. Fazioli called the 10- minute survey a worthwhile attempt to gain what he sees as important input from residents, adding the “more feedback we get the better it is for us to use when we’re putting together the plan.”

The survey can be found at https://eastprovidenceri.gov/community.

Job creation
Mr. Fazioli also took some to time during his remarks to highlight the economic impact the waterfront district has had on the city and community as a whole.

The chairman said, through no fault of their own, residents likely do not have a real grasp on the number of jobs that have been created in the district, due mostly because they are located in industrial or commercial areas.

Mr. Fazioli pegged the number of jobs created since the commission and district was formed some 15 years ago at between 800-900, adding the businesses located there are “really solid companies that are in it for the long haul and they’ve been expanding.”

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MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.