The Planning Board has set an April 3 public hearing in the Gaudet Middle School cafetorium to consider several requests for the "#MiddletownRI Center" project. Attendees are asked to use the Turner Road side of the building for parking.
RESCHEDULED MIDDLETOWN CENTER HEARING SET FOR APRIL 3
MIDDLETOWN, RI (MARCH 24, 2025) – A public hearing before the Planning Board about the Middletown Center project has been scheduled for April 3.
During a recent meeting, the Planning Board set the session for 6 pm from the Gaudet Middle School cafetorium. Those looking to attend were asked to park on the Turner Road side of the building.
The original Planning Board public hearing on Feb. 24 was postponed. That’s because so many people showed up in the Town Hall council chambers there were concerns about fire code violations and the ability of rescue personnel to access the East Main Road building in case of emergency.
Importantly, a letter was filed recently by the Middletown Center developers, notifying the Planning Department they’ve cut the height of the proposed hotel in the project. In that memo, the developers said they’ve submitted a revised overlay district petition that reduced the maximum height of the hotel from 75 feet to 55 feet.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski said there will be several items before the volunteer Planning Board on April 3 related to the project to reuse the 15-acre site at 600-740 West Main Road.
Those included:
- Considering a request to amend the future land use map in the town’s Comprehensive Plan to change the designation of the subject land to general business and make a recommendation to the Town Council.
- Considering a request to amend the town’s zoning map on the subject land to general business and make a recommendation to the council.
- Considering a request to adopt an overlay zoning district that would create a framework for development of the property and make a recommendation to the council.
Wolanski said it was important for everyone to have a chance to provide input on the requests before the Planning Board, which is all part of the public review process.
“Drafting of any Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance amendments requires public involvement,” Wolanski said. “These documents shape the town's future. The Planning Board and Town Council need to hear from residents about their vision, particularly regarding this important town-owned property.”
In October 2024, the council announced a development agreement with a trio of local developers — Chris Bicho, James Karam and Rocky Kempenaar — for the property in the center of the town’s commercial district.
The subject properties include: the former Navy Lodge land at the corner of Coddington Highway and West Main Road; the West Main Road Recreational Complex; the Middletown Public Library; and the former Kennedy School site.
Proponents have said all the land — minus the library — has been underutilized and hasn’t generated a cent in taxes for the community since the World War II era.
They’ve also said the $1.1 million in new revenues from the project would be a huge benefit to the community. The 150 new apartments — including 15 affordable units — as well as a 144-room hotel, mixed retail and office spaces would provide more places for people to live, work and do business, they’ve noted.
The Middletown Public Library portion of the project has been relocated to 110 Enterprise Center. That move was made to save the community at least $14 million while offering a better building. Visit and https://mdl.town/NYCU-Library-10724 and https://mdl.town/NYCU-New-Library for more details about the library effort.
Another benefit was the opportunity to transform close to 5 acres of open space on the northern portion of Middletown Center into a new hub for the community. That includes creating a focal point and central gathering spot for The Landings, Coddington Cove, Harbor Village and Wood Road neighborhoods.
At a recent Town Council meeting, the Middletown Center Citizens Advisory Committee (MCCAC) was asked to redesign those 4.875 acres into a new, exciting space for the entire community. MCCAC was given a year to complete its work.
MCCAC was also asked to work with the developers, the family of Sgt. Christopher Potts, nearby neighbors and others.
To see the memo from council President Paul Rodrigues and Councilor Peter Connerton with that request, go to https://mdl.town/MC-CAC-Memo online. A write up about the MCCAC is available at https://mdl.town/NYCU-Recharge online.
In 2022, the Planning Board provided a recommendation to the Town Council that the concept proposal at that time for Middletown Center from the developers was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Town officials said the Planning Board and council have not taken any action on the latest concept or amendment requests from the Middletown Center developers.
As part of the development agreement between the town and developers, there are certain parameters on what can be built on the West Main Road site. To view the development agreement, visit https://mdl.town/MC-Lease online.
If the Planning Board grants approval on April 3 to the three requests in front of the board, there’s still a lengthy public review process before there’s a shovel in the ground for Middletown Center.
Those steps are:
- Adoption of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan designation of the property for general business. This must be approved by the Town Council following public hearings.
- Adoption of a zoning map amendment to designate the land general business. This involves the Planning Board providing a recommendation to the Town Council, and the Town Council holding a public hearing.
- Adoption of an overlay zoning district to create a framework for future development. This involves the Planning Board providing a recommendation to the Town Council, and the Town Council holding a public hearing.
- If the above are adopted, submission of a master plan application for a major land development project to the Planning Board. This review will include a public hearing.
- If the master plan approval is granted, completion of all design and engineering for the project must be completed and preliminary plan application submitted to the Planning Board. State permits from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) are required at this stage.
- Any necessary modifications resulting from preliminary plan review would be addressed in a final plan submission, which is approved administratively once any conditions of the preliminary approval are addressed.
- Once the final plan is approved and recorded in land evidence, town permitting takes place and construction can begin.
- While all this was going on, town officials said Middletown must relocate the federal deed restriction on the recreation complex to another location, work that was well underway.
Asked when everyone could reasonably expect site work to begin with Middletown Center, town officials said that depends on the review process and how quickly the developers move forward.
However, they said the soonest anyone could expect construction to start was a year away — at a minimum.
Wolanski said it was important for everyone to have good, reliable information about the project. He encouraged people to visit https://mdl.town/MC-Planning online for the latest documents and details about Middletown Center or to contact his office directly at 401-847-4027 or rwolanski@middletownri.gov via email.
To access a Question & Answer sheet about Middletown Center, go to https://mdl.town/MC-QA online for the latest.
“It should be noted that the latest documents, including any revisions to the proposed overlay zoning district, will be posted here prior to the next meeting,” Wolanski said. “We’re continuing to update the website so people know exactly what’s happening and why."
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-MCPB-Advance
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.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
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401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov