Smart growth is happening everywhere you look in #MiddletownRI. From a new HomeGoods store to office space and more, the town is looking to develop responsibly without losing what makes the community a great place to live, work and play.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matt Sheley at (401) 842-6543 or msheley@middletownri.com
MIDDLETOWN ON THE MOVE
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (MAY 15, 2024) – Much has been made on the national level about the state of the economy.
You wouldn’t know it by looking around Middletown, though.
Seemingly on almost every corner, there’s work, construction and redevelopment happening.
Whether that’s RK Plaza where HomeGoods is expected to move in next to Marshalls or the Rosebrook Commons mixed residential-commercial project at the former Skater Island site, there’s diverse growth happening in Middletown to meet the community’s asks and needs.
“We talk quite a bit about being a family friendly community, but we’re also very business friendly too,” Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said. “We’re always looking for ways to grow the businesses we have while encouraging new growth and maintaining our scenic charm and beauty.”
In addition to the No. 1 seller of “location, location, location,” town officials said there’s quite a few other factors that make the community attractive.
For one, Middletown works hard to keep its taxes reasonable, with town leaders aiming every year to hold increases to 2 percent — or less — for local residents and businesses.
The town also has a veteran, stable staff that’s easy to work with and tries hard to boost the defense and tourism related industries already here. At the same time, the leadership is always searching for new opportunities to generate new revenues to maintain pace with rising costs.
According to officials in the town’s Building and Planning departments, there’s no shortage of applications to keep them and their staffs busy.
Building Official Chris Costa and Town Planner Ronald Wolanski said they can’t remember a time in recent memory when there’s been as much activity.
That’s a good thing, they said, because it shows Middletown is truly an attractive place to live, work and play.
“Our phones are ringing off the hook,” Costa said. “Between the applications that are coming in and the work that’s already happening, there’s no shortage of things to do. It’s a good problem to have.”
“We’ve worked hard to make sure our regulations make sense and help our community grow in a responsible manner,” said Wolanski, who also serves as the town’s economic development liaison. “None of us want Middletown to lose what makes it special. It’s something everyone is very much aware of.”
Development | Address | Brief Description | Status |
BankNewport | 528 West Main Road | Complete Overhaul Of Two-Mile Corner Branch | Under Construction |
East Main Road Affordable Housing | 361 East Main Road | Up To 20 Units Of Affordable Housing Planned By The Town | Planning Ongoing |
Former Benny’s | 1400 West Main Road | Redevelopment And Renovation Of Former Retail Location For Proposed Banking & Restaurant Uses | Site Work Ongoing |
Gold’s Wine & Spirits | 48 Valley Road | New Package Store | Under Construction |
Green End Avenue Affordable Housing | 650 Green End Ave. | Up To 22 Units Of Senior Affordable Housing Planned By The Town | Seeking Funding Sources |
HomeGoods | 288 East Main Road | Home Furnishing Retail | Interior Site Work Progressing |
J2 Construct | 499 East Main Road | Construction Office | Under Construction |
Middletown Center | 600-740 West Main Road | Mixed Residential-Commercial Partnership Between Town & Trio Of Private Developers | Negotiations Ongoing |
Middletown Self Storage | 101 Valley Road | Self Storage Facility Expected To Draw 15-20 Vehicles A Day | Under Construction |
Oliphant Lane Affordable Housing | 26 Oliphant Lane | Up To 35 Units Of Affordable Housing Planned By The Town | Seeking Funding Sources |
Rosebrook Commons | 1747 West Main Road | 144 Dwelling Units (40% Affordable) | Commercial | In Permitting |
Sakonnet Eye Care | 314 Oliphant Lane | Eyecare Center Relocating From Current Home On Aquidneck Avenue | Under Construction |
Sisyphus Holdings | 165 Oliphant Lane | Warehouse / Office With Storage | Under Construction |
Shell | 1149 West Main Road | Gas Station & Convenience Store | Complete Renovation Underway |
Starbucks | 99 East Main Road | Coffee Shop | Expected To Open Soon |
Valley Road Office Building | 34 Valley Road | Planned Medical Offices | Under Construction |
Wave Pond Hotel | 38 Purgatory Road | Eight-Room Boutique Hotel | Planning Board Approved |
Moving forward, Brown said he and his team would continue to focus on ways to keep Middletown reasonable, but making forward progress.
“We appreciate the support and belief that our taxpayers, residents and businesses continue to provide,” Brown said. “As we’ve stated a number of times during this budget cycle, ‘Every dollar matters’ and that’s not something we take lightly here.”
Document Link: https://www.middletownri.com/DocumentCenter/View/12614/NYCU-Move
