There's excitement for the possibility of remaking 30 percent plus of the proposed "#MiddletownRI Center" development into open space, a park and more after the Town Council recharges the Middletown Center Citizens Advisory Committee Monday.
CITIZEN ADVISORY GROUP ASKED TO DESIGN
MIDDLETOWN CENTER OPEN SPACE
MIDDLETOWN, RI (MARCH 18, 2025) – The Middletown Center Citizens Advisory Committee (MCCAC) is back to work.
At a meeting Monday night in Town Hall, the Town Council recharged the volunteer board with coming up with an exciting, inclusive design for close to five acres of open space in the northern section of the proposed mixed use development at 600-740 West Main Road.
As part of the group’s assignment, MCCAC was asked to work with the developers of Middletown Center, the family of Sgt. Christopher S. Potts, the surrounding neighborhoods and others.
No restrictions were imposed on what the MCCAC could propose for the land, other than it be “maintained for public recreational purposes."
The MCCAC was given a year to complete its efforts and report back to the council with its recommended design for the property, which represents about one third the total acreage of Middletown Center.
The item was on the docket at the request of council President Paul M. Rodrigues and Councilor Peter Connerton.
“The movement of the (Middletown Public) Library from that site presents a tremendous opportunity for the town to develop a public space in that area that on its own merits can be a town center,” Connerton said.
Rodrigues said he was not only excited about the open space component of Middletown Center, but tying this property to others across the community and creating more of a town wide network longterm than what exists today.
“I’m not saying this because you’re standing in front of us. (MCCAC) did a really nice with the recommendations that came before us last time,” Rodrigues told MCCAC members in attendance. “With this open space, think about it, roughly 30 percent of the proposed development can be open space, recreation. It should be what the citizens want it to be and I think it could be something really special.”
MCCAC Co-Chair Melissa Welch said she looked forward to contributing again to the Middletown Center effort. Speaking with other members of the volunteer committee, Welch said they agreed based on everything she’s heard.
“We did put in a lot of effort on (the first set of recommendations) and I think we came up with a lot of good ideas,” Welch said. “Having the opportunity to continue our momentum I think is something we are ready to do. We want to do this for our town and to make the most of the opportunities we have with this space.”
Fellow MCCAC Co-Chair Karen Barbera agreed, saying she was particularly happy that some of the unique trees behind the former Kennedy School might be saved now.
“I welcome the opportunity to bring our committee’s skills, enthusiasm and vision to this important community green space,” Barbera said. “There are so many possibilities for how this land can serve the community needs. I look forward to getting to work on this."
Over the past few weeks, the future of the former Navy Lodge, West Main Road Recreational Complex — including Pottsy Field — the library and the former Kennedy School has sparked discussion across the community.
Proponents say the project is a winner for Middletown on multiple levels. Besides generating at least $1.1 million in new revenues for the community, they point to the 150 new apartments — including 15 affordable units — as needed in town.
They’ve noted half the units in the 144-room hotel will be geared towards extended stay customers like those at Naval Station Newport and related local entities. There’s also hope a new hotel will add competition in a tight lodging market sees high rates during the summer for mid-range rooms.
The mixed shopping, office and business opportunities have been applauded, helping Middletown collect taxes for the first time on land in the heart of its commercial district since the World War II era.
Library leaders, officials and others have complimented plans to move the Middletown Public Library around the corner to 110 Enterprise Center. In addition to saving the town at least $14 million and getting a better building in the process, they’ve noted the project is not expected to cost taxpayers any new money under the current funding model.
Library staff have a community open house to show off the new building Thursday from 5-7 pm. For more about that event, visit https://mdl.town/Library-Open-House online.
One of the sticking points for Middletown Center has been the fate of Pottsy Field, named in honor of Sgt. Potts. A Tiverton resident who grew up and went to school in Middletown, Potts was killed on Oct. 3, 2004 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom on his 38th birthday.
In his honor, the softball field was dedicated to Potts, who played there frequently, with a large sign erected as a lasting memory of his sacrifice.
In recent weeks, multiple town officials have spoken with members of the Potts family to make sure their wishes were honored with whatever happens with the 4.875 acres of open space in Middletown Center.
As part of that process, local leaders continue to work to relocate the public benefit conveyance that now restricts the use of the land currently home to the West Main Road Recreational Complex as well as Pottsy Field.
Under the terms of the agreement with the federal government to take over that property, the town can relocate the public benefit conveyance. However, that’s not until the town gets approval from the federal government and replaces the public benefit conveyance land with a similarly valued site with similar uses.
Importantly, town officials have said the tenets of the original public benefit conveyance remain in place. For example, that means MCCAC must find a way to incorporate lighting that’s available at any time of day because it was available at the softball field.
The seven members of the CAC include: Barbera, Emily Buck, Michael J. Fenton (Planning Board representative), Kerrie James, Deborah Murphy, Sara Poirier (Open Space & Fields Committee representative), Karen Roarke and Welch.
The two-page memo dated March 11 from Rodrigues and Connerton specified a member of the Open Space & Fields as well as the Citizens Memorial committees be included in the MCCAC’s work as non-voting members. For a copy of the Rodrigues-Connerton memo, go to https://mdl.town/PRPC-MCCAC online.
The MCCAC was created in the summer of 2022 to provide more resident input with Middletown Center.
After a number of public meetings, the MCCAC presented a 59-page report to the council in late April 2023 with recommended improvements to the project.
Among those included better recreational opportunities, improved pedestrian and bicycle access, more attractive landscaping and other suggestions. MCCAC asked for the town to do everything possible to reduce the impacts of the proposed hotel, traffic and stormwater runoff associated with Middletown Center, while acknowledging the request was outside the group’s initial charge.
To see a copy of that report, go to https://mdl.town/MCCAC online.
After a search for suitable developers through a national Request For Information, Chris Bicho, James Karam and Rocky Kempenaar were picked by the council to work on the mixed-use project in January 2022. Town officials have said the trio were selected because of the strength of their proposal and deep roots locally.
Following extensive executive session meetings, the two sides announced in October 2024 they finalized a 99-year development lease agreement for the project. To see that agreement, go to https://mdl.town/MC-Lease online.
Over time, the look and feel of the project have evolved to meet the developing market as well as wishes and wants of the Middletown community. However, from Day 1, the hotel, apartments and mixed commercial and office spaces have remained a constant.
The town’s interest in repurposing the Middletown Center site has been public since March 2008 after meeting with Navy officials in Newport City Hall, where the community learned the property would be excessed.
To see the latest with Middletown Center, go to https://mdl.town/MC-Planning online.
The Planning Board has a public hearing slated for April 3 at 6 pm from the Gaudet Middle School cafetorium to consider multiple requests from the developers. Those looking to attend the meeting have been asked to park on the Turner Road side of the building.
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Recharge
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
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