Below is a letter of support from the Friends of Galilee for the Town of Narragansett's Proposal.  The Friends of Galilee consists of 170 members who have dedicated their lives to improving Galilee.   They have done extensive research in the area, and most are lifelong residents.  Let Us Hope and Pray the letters, phone calls, zoom meetings, and videos from our residents in Rhode Island and South County,  our elected officials such as our Narragansett Town Council, our Town Manager, James Tierney, our Narragansett Town Planner, Mike Deluca, the Narragansett Pier Residents' Association, and our local Representatives Teresa Tanzi and Carol Hagan McEntee, and from representatives of the Galilee Advisory Committee such as myself will be listened to by our State Agencies such as the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and its Directors Terry Gray and Legal Counsel Mary Kay, our State Properties Commission,  and our Governor of the State of Rhode Island, Dan McKee, so they will conclude the Town of Narragansett's Proposal is the only viable proposal for our Gem of a Village: Galilee.

Here is the letter that was sent out to the Rhode Island 
Department of Environmental Management

Dear Director Gray,

On behalf of the Friends of Galilee, we would appreciate your support of the Town of Narragansett’s proposal submitted in response to the RFP for the Redevelopment of the Lighthouse Inn Parcels in Galilee.
The Friends of Galilee is a non-profit organization of approximately 170 members. Founded in 2018, our mission is to preserve the historic fishing port of Galilee and its critical habitats while also stimulating its future planning and development.
What follows is a brief description of why we support the Town’s proposal and the reasons for opposition to the PRI X’s and the Quonset Area Aqua Development Inc.’s proposals.

The Town of Narragansett

Overview

The Town’s proposal is based on a number of studies and plans for the Galilee area including; 1) URI sponsored study in February 1992, 2) the State of RI sponsored Master Plan for the Development of the Port of Galilee in December 1997; which included a second part evaluation of tourist-related development, 3) the Galilee Special District Plan for the Town in October 2000 and 4) the adoption of the Galilee Special District Ordinance adopted by the Town Council as part of the 2003 Town Comprehensive Plan.
According to the studies, the single common element was the development of an anchor hotel. In the short term, the Town is proposing a 75-100 room boutique hotel including a restaurant and events hall with a public parking deck for 400 spaces. Also proposed is a multi-use building that would include offices and 8 housing units with related parking.
Longer-term, the entire Galilee Business Zone will be redeveloped with roadway and utility improvements plus the addition of short-term ad long-term parking.

Why We Support this Proposal

Briefly, It is based on numerous studies culminating in the Galilee Special District Plan. It is focused on revitalizing the port by investing in multi-use buildings, a gallery or museum which focuses on the fishing industry, future marine retail uses and the addition of major anchors such hotels, museums and residential structures.* We’d like to stop being the doormat to Block Island and encourage tourists to visit and stay.
There are primary benefits to the Port including major public infrastructure investments for parking, ground transportation and multi-modal transportation.
Expansion of goods and services that directly support marine, tourism, recreation and residential uses in and around the Port.*
Environmentally sensitive practices related to stormwater, future development and land conservation (e.g., vertical development versus surface parking).*
*From Town of Narragansett Proposal to the State of RI

PRI X

Overview

The PRI X proposal returns to one of its prior proposals. Phase I calls for redeveloping the front portion of the Lighthouse Inn into a number of retail shops and replacing the front parking area with landscaping features. The remainder of the property will be used for parking. In Phase II, PRI X would develop a boutique hotel of between 20-40 rooms. The execution of Phase II is contingent upon an extension of its least to 99 years. In addition, PRI X will determine if the Phase II development is economically feasible.
Why We Don’t Support this Proposal
The PRI X experience has been terrible. It has allowed the property to fall into dilapidation over the last several years. The Lighthouse Inn is now an attraction for the nesting of seagulls who leave excrement over this and nearby sites.
The PRI X has been in default of its lease for a number of years with no consequences. PRI X has demonstrated that it has no interest in the property except for the property’s parking opportunity. It reneged on its first proposal (in 2019) of an upscale restaurant and events venue to return with a strip mall and green space proposal with the great majority of the remaining space targeted for parking.
The strip mall concept is Phase I of PRI X’s current proposal. Phase II, IF economically feasible AND if the state issues a 99-year lease extension, is to develop a 20-40 room boutique hotel. PRI X has stated publicly on numerous occasions that it was NOT economically feasible for a hotel to be built in this “smelly and noisy district”. So, we’re most likely looking at 99 years of a massive parking lot.
PRI X has demonstrated no concern for the Galilee Port and Village and has demonstrated through past neglect that is has no long-term plans for revitalizing the site or the area.

Quonset Area Aqua Development Inc.

Overview

The Quonset Area Aqua Development Inc (QAAD Inc.) - in conjunction with ICell Aqua Inc). is proposing a seafood processing facility with a water recycling and nutrient recovery system for all seafood processors in Point Judith. Up to 25% of the site could be retained for public parking. There would be front office spaces to be utilized by those in the seafood industry.
Why We Don’t Support This Proposal
The entire site is taken up by seafood processing (plus related offices). This is at odds with the pre-mentioned studies that culminated in the Galilee Special District Plan. No recreational or commercial uses are included.
It would not encourage tourists to visit and stay in Galilee.
Seafood processing plants of this type can be the cause of objectionable odor emissions. In fact, there have been successful class-action suits from surrounding areas based on the odor issue.
The Atlantic Red Crab Company
The Atlantic Red Crab Company was unable to submit a proposal but made suggestions on how a complex or terminal could be used to showcase the fishing industry and, also to provide space to hold workshops in support of sustainable fisheries and other environmentally-friendly topics as well as to educate tourists on the industry. It was indicated it would provide an opportunity for the public to interact and enjoy the seafood of the industry.
We sincerely hope you will support the Town of Narragansett’s Proposal as it is by far the best proposal of those submitted and will be a huge step toward the long-term revitalization of our Gem, the Port of Galilee and its Village.

Respectfully submitted,
Friends of Galilee
Drew Magee
Debra Aubin
Sherry Carberry