At the Town Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 7th, the Narragansett Town Council unanimously approved of issuing out an RFP for the hiring of an architect for creating a viable and sustainable development plan for Galilee. I thank councilor Dr. Ewa Dzwierzynski for creating the motion after the Economic Development Committee gave its endorsement to the Narragansett Town Council. After attending all the informational meetings, I feel we need to propose renditions that will be viable for the area. On that note, I do not feel seeking a plan for one large hotel or building on that land is a good idea, as no one has supported a large building/hotel as a viable option outside of the recommendation for one of the renditions. We do not in any way want to set ourselves up for failure by bringing forth a rendition that would not be economical, viable, or sustainable for that area.
I do support all the alternative options that Dr. Dzwierzynski presented such as a mixed-use development plan where we can explore renditions for a Boutique Hotel, a Maritime Museum, an educational research and exploratory center such as a biome center where grade school to doctoral students can utilize for interactive instruction, a multi-level garage that can also serve as an observation center on the top deck and also as an emergency shelter. When I was a grade school student and in high school, I loved going to the University of Rhode Island Alton Jones Campus. There is no better learning than being around the natural environment and ecosystem where you are doing your research related to your area of study. The Graduate School of Oceanography is world renowned, and the University of Rhode Island has a Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (ENRE). When I was an undergraduate, I did research for the Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics working for Dr. Timothy Tyrrell on beach usage throughout the State of Rhode Island. Each day I went out to the beaches and conducted surveys. The study was to examine ways to improve our state beaches based on visitors’ needs, and we also compiled data on money spent at our beaches and in South County by asking questions on money spent on day visit or for a vacation in South County from going out to eat at our local restaurants to shopping at our local businesses. Getting research by interviewing people at the beaches they love was much more valid and powerful than dropping a survey in the mail and having people throughout the state respond to the survey. The importance of onsite research cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, I feel a Maritime Museum and an Educational Aquatic/Biome Center needs to be an essential part of any renditions that will be forthcoming. In speaking with the Director of the South County Museum, Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz, she noted Galilee would be the quintessential location for a Maritime Museum. In addition, the South County Museum should be able to get funding, or they can put forth a bond for the Museum. I would recommend funding both for a University of Rhode Island Educational Center and the Maritime Museum by having a bond created for people to support. Hopefully, the RIDEM can assist in getting us funding too as they did for the Pier in Warwick, RI. In all my years as a Narragansett resident, I never have seen an educational related bond failing to get approval. I also feel it would be very ironic for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to fail to support an RFP or reject a rendition from the Town of Narragansett that supports a Maritime Museum and an Educational Marine/Biome Center when the RIDEM’s mission is to support projects that help its seaside villages and not support plans that would cause harm. In addition, the portion of the area of leased land in Galilee is supposed to be used to support our fishermen and our seaside village.
Therefore, if the RIDEM does not support a viable plan consisting of an educational programming center and a maritime museum with an interactive educational center that can help our fishermen and protect our fragile ecosystem in Galilee, they may be opening themselves up for litigation.
As noted in the below letter I wrote to Director Terry Gray and Legal Counsel Mary Kay, I recently visited the Rocky Point Pier in Warwick, RI. At the Pier it thanks the RIDEM for supporting the Pier with 1.8 million dollars to revitalize that area so fishermen and all those that love that pristine area will benefit. Let us hope the RIDEM will support our Gem of a Village of Galilee with equally generous funding.
Based on my research and listening to many others who have a vested interest in the area, I hope we will put forth a mixed-use development plan for the leased land area. A mixed-use area consisting of a Boutique Hotel, a Maritime Museum, an Exploratory Research Center, a Multi-level Parking Garage, a tourist informational center that may offer tours of the area such as the Fishermen’s Memorial, the Point Judith Lighthouse, Camp Cronin, and tours on the fishing boats and the fish processing plants are all possible considerations, a convenience store for the local area and its fishermen, and green space to complement the surrounding area. I created a petition at Change.Org and we have 1646 signatures supporting a viable plan for our Gem of a Village of Galilee. There is no cost to put forth your virtual signature, so if you love Galilee, please consider casting your vote at: https://chng.it/SFkW5r5HvR Thank you in advance for your support.
Dr. Albert Alba, Jr.
This letter is written in memory of my Beloved Dad, Albert Alba, Sr. who advocated and presented ideas to improve Narragansett, RI and that will support all local businesses.
Below is the email I recently wrote the Director Terry Gray and Legal Counsel Mary Kay. Director Gray will be away from his office until next week, and Legal Counsel Mary Kay has not yet responded back.
Dear Director Terry Gray and Legal Counsel Mary Kay,
The Town of Narragansett is putting forth a motion at tomorrow's Narragansett Town Council Meeting to hire an architect to create and present to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management a viable plan(s) for Galilee.
Here Is the Motion That Is Being Presented for Consideration Tomorrow.
23. A MOTION TO APPROVE hiring an architect or other design consultant to provide renderings and flood plain feasibility design considerations for landside uses on the southern end of Galilee based on the 1997 Galilee Development Plan, Galilee Special District Plan and stakeholder feedback including suggestions from the Galilee Advisory Committee and the Friends of Galilee.
The Town of Narragansett, its elected officials, and its representatives such as Teresa Tanzi and Carol Hagan McEntee have stated they feel that with the Procaccianti Group issuing the RFPs it can compromise those businesses that would want to bring forth and spend money to improve Galilee. In addition, if Procaccianti is allowed to retain its lease after 6 months after they have shown total disregard to the leased land, many would not be willing to put up money for a viable investment as the Procaccianti Group has already shown gross negligence for the land they have leased. We all hope the RIDEM will end the lease with the Procaccianti Group after its 6-month extension because we feel any additional extension will be setting up our Village of Galilee for failure. We also hope that the RIDEM will intervene and not allow the Procaccianti Developers to issue the RFPs because in our eyes it is a conflict of interest. Many have commented that our Town’s fight to stop the Procaccianti Group is like David fighting Goliath. Let us hope and pray the RIDEM is not going to enable Goliath to destroy our seaside village.
In a petition I created at Change.Org: https://chng.it/SFkW5r5HvR there are 1640 signatures that show people do not want the Procaccianti Group to be involved with a continuation of their lease as they have breached the terms of their previous lease agreement, and they have failed to bring forth viable development plans. The petition supports that we, as a town, and all concerned do not want the RIDEM to extend the lease to the Procaccianti Developers. Most recently, I visited the Rocky Point Pier location in Warwick, RI. It was noted much of the funding for the Pier came from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. It was great to see the area is not being used primarily for a parking lot by a billionaire major developer to bring people over by ferry to Block Island, the Cape, or Martha's Vineyard or other locations outside of the City of Warwick. According to the article cited at :
GoLocalProv | NEW: $1.8 Million Rocky Point Fishing Pier Now Open
The RIDEM awarded 1.8 million for this Beautiful Project. I wish Narragansett can be so lucky to have the RIDEM provide funding for our Beautiful Village of Galilee to promote and help revitalize our precious seaside village. I am including a copy of tomorrow's Narragansett Town Council Agenda as an attachment to this email. I am also including a PowerPoint Presentation created by Councilwoman Dr. Ewa Dzwierzynski that she presented to the Economic Development Committee. The PowerPoint Presentation presents a sound rationale on why we need a redevelopment plan that will agree with the previous well researched plans that have been well documented. Only the Procaccianti Group feels a massive parking lot is best for that area with either a little green space or a small strip mall. It is obvious Procaccianti Developers want to get the biggest bang for their buck. There may be a method to their madness as it is highly probable that the more people going over to Block Island the more likely visitors may frequent his recently purchased 19-million-dollar Champlin Marina. Let us not forget, the Attorney General determined the Champlin Marina was illegally expanded upon just prior to the sale. The researchers from the University of Rhode Island are even considering updating their master revitalization plan for Galilee with updated research studies based on the latest research on architectural designs for a seaside community. One of the chief landscape architects from the University of Rhode Island who was attending the Zoom informational meetings regarding the RIDEM-Procaccianti Land Lease informed me he could not believe the proposals presented by the Procaccianti Developers. I will gladly put you in contact with these researchers upon your request. None of the sage landscape architects who want to create a vibrant plan for Galilee have referred to the area as a stinky and noisy area as Legal Counsel Michael Voccola has described it, nor have they stated only a massive parking lot is the most viable option for that area. Michael DeLuca, Narragansett Town Planner, was deeply troubled by the proposals put forth by the Procaccianti Developers. The entire Narragansett Town Council was also deeply troubled. Dr. Dzwierzynski was so troubled by the lack of upkeep by the Procaccianti Developers of their leased land that she created a YouTube Video showing the disturbing condition of that site. If any citizen or I failed to upkeep their property in any or our neighborhoods, we would be cited for neglect. Town Council President Pugh thought the proposal for green space was so small that it was ridiculous when he showed the very small percentage of land that was being proposed for green space. How can the RIDEM possibly allow the Procaccianti Group to issue out RFPs and retain its lease after the 6-month window after the company has not only insulted our seaside village, but the company and its representatives have insulted our elected officials, our Town Developer, licensed architects, and all concerned individuals by its company putting forth such ill-conceived plans that will harm and not help Galilee? We have all witnessed what an eyesore that has already been created in that leased land area by the supposedly all-knowing developer as his speakers portray themselves.
In addition, the Procaccianti Development spokesperson said building in that area will be problematic because the area is in a flood zone. I contacted a Mr. Keith Vanderbilt who was the architect of the Bohemian Grand Hotel and many other Beautiful Hotels and Plaza Developments, and he told me that buildings can be designed on the ground floor level without having to be elevated. I can gladly give you Keith's email and his personal cell phone upon your request. Here is his company's website: Reese Vanderbilt & Associates. We have on record from Mr. Vocolla of the Procaccianti Developers that all construction in Flood Zones must be elevated. I am sure we can contact any of the hotels that Keith has built at ground level, and we can inquire on how they withstood the wrath of Hurricane Henri. There are also flood panels that are designed to be put up when there is an impending hurricane. I am including information on these panels as an attachment for your reference. If I can do all this research and I am not a developer, it is troubling, Procaccianti Developers could not find out there are profitable ways to construct buildings in flood zones, and it is occurring throughout the United States. Do the Procaccianti Developers think we are ignorant, and we are going to listen to their testimony as Gospel because it is a Billionaire Development company? The Director of the South County Museum, Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz, and her staff feel that an area of the leased land would be a quintessential location for a maritime museum and for a possible research and educational center where grade school through doctoral students can perform needed research in that area. We may be able to get funding from our local universities for the educational programing and the South County Museum can obtain funding for the Maritime Museum. Maybe the RIDEM can justify putting forth some money to fund a Maritime Museum and an Education Center for bettering our fishing industry and for research to protect our fragile maritime ecosystem. To conclude, it is most disturbing when it is apparent to me and others that the Procaccianti Group has their own self-interest in mind, and they had their 6-month extension renewed. It added insult to injury when the RIDEM mentioned the Procaccianti Group will be issuing the RFPs. It does not take a rocket scientist to see that the Procaccianti Group has orchestrated their plans to allow them to get the biggest bang for their buck at the expense of the Village of Galilee, its residents, and those who love to visit that Gem of a Village. All those who have done research on that area with the exception of the Procaccianti Developers recognize that site is a quintessential location as a mixed use area for such considerations as a Boutique Hotel, a Maritime Museum, an Educational Research Center, a Tourist Information Center, a Convenient Store for Fishermen, green space / park area with a walk around trail , and a consolidated multi-level parking lot that can also serve as an emergency evacuation center and an observation center that can be located on the upper level as outlined in the University of Rhode Island Revitalization Plan. If the area will require additional parking, the Sand Hill Cove Parking Lot or other available open areas that are a short distance outside of the heart of Galilee can be considered with a shuttle service. Director Terry Gray, based on the above account of malfeasance by the Procaccianti Group, I strongly urge you and the RIDEM to please inform the Procaccianti Group their lease will not be renewed, and inform them that the rights to issue out the RFPs is being revoked. I know the Town of Narragansett has even considered taking over the lease if it becomes available by bringing forth viable plans for that area. Even at $180,000 per year, that cost to lease that land is doable with the income from a consolidated parking garage.
It would be a tragedy if the Town of Narragansett and other developers cannot make that area of leased land a showcase for the Village of Galilee because the RIDEM is allowing the Procaccianti Group to retain its lease after its 6-month extension, and by Procaccianti being allowed to issue RFPs that may preclude viable development plans to be forthcoming. All eyes are on the RIDEM. I hope the Town of Narragansett and others may not have to consider litigation for justice to be served. We all can see how the RIDEM can create a showcase for the City of Warwick with its Pier Construction, let's hope and pray the RIDEM will lease out that area in Galilee to a developer or developers that will make that area a showcase for South County and to all those that visit. Let us also hope the RIDEM will contribute monetarily to that area by helping create a cultural maritime museum / educational center. The kindness of a reply to this email would be greatly appreciated. As we are having our Narragansett Town Council Meeting tomorrow evening at 7:30pm, it would be appreciated if you could reply to me sometime tomorrow during the day, so I can provide any updates related to the RIDEM's position for the concerns noted in this letter.
Respectfully Submitted, Dr. Albert Alba
Here is the response from a representative from the RIDEM
Hi Dr. Alba, thanks for your patience and your email. As you know the DEM lease with PRI X has been extended for six months to allow PRI X and the State time to move forward with an RFP process to solicit potential redevelopment projects for the Lighthouse Inn site. This process was initiated following the public workshop with the Town of Narragansett in June. At that workshop members of the Town Council and public requested that an RFP process be pursued, so we feel this process is aligned with the comments made during that meeting. The RFP is being drafted, it should be finalized soon, and we hope to circulate the RFP in the near future. We are being careful with the crafting of the RFP to make sure it will attract the types of projects that will provide a solution that is amenable to all of the parties involved while staying within the bounds of appropriate development for the port. Once the proposals are received the goal is to choose and move forward with the redevelopment that is the most suitable for the site.
I appreciate your interest and support in finding a reuse that will help us move forward and transform this lot in to a productive area again for the port.
Dr. Jason McNamee - Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Here is my reply back to Dr. Jason McNamee's response to me.

Dear Dr. McNamee,

   I thank you for your kindness in your reply this morning.   However, the entire Narragansett Town Council,  Narragansett Building Planner, Michael Deluca, our State Local Representatives, and all concerned individuals both locally and throughout the State of Rhode Island are puzzled on why the Procaccianti Group still has their hands in the RFPs, and we are also troubled on why their lease was extended for six months.    This was never supported by any of us.   In fact, we all felt that if the Procaccianti Group did not come up with a viable development plan their lease should not be extended.   We are all greatly puzzled why the RIDEM is so patronizing to the Procaccianti Group.    We feel our Town and all concerned citizens are like David Fighting Goliath.    While your last email is encouraging with respect that you want to now explore a viable alternative than a massive parking lot for Galilee, it is also deeply troubling that you still are playing ball with a company that would have created a massive parking lot that would have hurt and caused irreparable harm to Galilee, its businesses, and to everyone who wants to visit Galilee and see our Gem of a Village utilized to its fullest potential because the company wanted to maximize its profits regardless of the harm it would do to Galilee.       The petition I created has well over 1600 signatures that signify we do not want DEM to extend the lease with the Procaccianti Group nor have it involved in issuing out RFPs.   In addition, if you review the previous Zoom meetings that have been recorded, you will see no one endorsed a 6 month extension to Procaccianti Developers nor supported the RIDEM from allowing the company to issue the RFPs.   The Procaccianti Group has put down Galilee calling the area stinky and noisy, and they have insulted our Town Council, our local Representatives Teresa Tanzi and Carol Hagan McEntee, our Town Planner, Michael DeLuca, and everyone who has been following the informational meetings by putting forth such ill conceived plans.      I am including a paper I wrote for a local paper.      In addition to terminating the Procaccianti lease after 6 months, it would be appreciated if you revoke Procaccianti's leverage and additional hardship they will create if they are allowed to issue the RFPs.   Mr. Procaccianti's spokesperson also noted that building in that area will be problematic as it is in a flood zone area.    I will gladly put you in contact with landscape engineers that will tell you that is an outright lie.     What I have found troubling in the responses from you and the Director of the RIDEM is you both note, based on the meetings that were attended the RIDEM is following the course of action we all agreed upon.     This statement is totally untrue.    Out of all due respect, now all eyes are on the RIDEM and some may even feel the Procaccianti Group may be engaging in a behind the scenes deal with the RIDEM.    Recently, I visited the Rocky Point Fishing Pier in Warwick, RI.  It was noted that the RIDEM appropriated 1.8 million dollars to create that showcase.   Please read the link in my attached article.   I find it ironic and troubling that the RIDEM is still playing ball with a company that obviously wants to put forth proposals for their greatest gain and Galilee's greatest loss, yet you have previously created a showcase for the City of Warwick.    We all hope you separate yourselves from the Procaccianti Developers and that the RIDEM can appropriate 1.8 million dollars to our Village of Galilee in the creation of a  viable revitalization plan as you did for the City of Warwick.    Some suggestions would be to appropriate money for a Maritime Museum, an interaction educational and research center, and many other creative options that will benefit not only those visiting, but it will help researchers from our local universities and colleges with a live research facility.   Creating a research center that will allow researchers develop research studies that will help our fragile ecosystem will be a win - win scenario.   Global warming effects on our ocean, controlling overfishing, developing better ways to fight pollution of our oceans, breeding of fish studies, creating a flood mitigation study for Galilee and for all villages that border the waterways are just a few of the research studies that may be examined.    

Please listen to this link I am forwarding to you with regards to the behind the scenes deal regarding the illegal expansion of Champlin's Marina in Block Island.   Let us hope all citizens and governmental representatives and elected officials may not feel or in any way suspect  that the behind the scenes deal that allowed the illegal expansion of the Champlin Marina in Block Island will allow a behind the scenes deal with the RIDEM and the Procaccianti Group to retain its lease in Galilee, Rhode Island after showing such gross negligence to the property they have leased for many years.    How a Block Island marina dispute fractured trust in R.I. coastal agency - The Public's Radio : RIPR (thepublicsradio.org)

 Thank you again for your response to my last email, but we are all hoping and praying the RIDEM will do the right thing and separate the RIDEM from the Procaccianti Developers by revoking their authorization to generate the RFPs and to terminate their lease after the 6 month extension.