Below is a letter I wrote to Director James Thorson. Director Thorson did attend the Rally to Save Galilee. He is on the State Properties Committee and he is a voting member. Thank you, Director for attending the Rally. I hope the State Properties Committee will not approve the RIDEM-Procaccianti-Paolino 19 year parking lot lease when it is put on the agenda to be heard by the SPC. I sent a similar editorial out to the Narragansett Times and The Independent. I do not get the Independent, but I did not get word my editorial was published. And sadly, the Narragansett Times decided to do an Op-Eds titled, Find Common ground with Russia to avoid hunger crises. How the editors chose the Op-Ed article to print over my editorial just has me shaking my head in disbelief as while the article printed discusses a global and international crises, my article discusses a potential crises in our Gem of a Village of Galilee if the Procaccianti-Paolino 19-year parking lot deal goes through. Let us not forget, many say if the Procaccianti-Paolino Deal goes through in Galilee, it is more dirty politics as ususal in the State of Rhode Island. It is midterm election season where poltiticians and the DNC and the RNC will be having their fundraisers and get togethers to solicit funds for those running. Do we really want to contribute to any incumbant or candidate who does not speak up and try to put a stop this insider deal that will be for their gain and the taxpayers of RI loss? Let us not forget, RI is one of the highest taxed States in the Nation. Sadly, if the Procaccianti-Paolino Deal goes through in Galilee, the State of RI, Town of Narragansett, businesses in Galillee, Visitors to Galilee, those who live in Galilee, Commericial Fishermen of Galilee, and taxpayers throughout the State will pay the price, where Procaccianti-Paolino will be building and purchasing more multi-million dollar properties outside of Galilee at Procaccianti and Paolino's Gain and our Gem of a Village's loss.
Director James Thorson
Department of Administration
1 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Dear Mr. James Thorson, Director of Administration,
I strongly urge the State Properties Committee does not approve RIDEM the 19-year no bid parking lot lease to Procaccianti Developers as it is not in the best interest of the State of Rhode Island, the Town of Narragansett, the Commercial Fishermen, and our taxpayers of Rhode Island. The RIDEM also wants to have the State of Rhode Island pay for the demolition of the Lighthouse Inn. Why does the State of Rhode Island have to pay for the demolition of the hotel as Procaccianti Developers failed to maintain the property? Below is my rationale on why the State Properties Committee needs to reject the proposed 19-year parking lot lease.
The RIDEM 19-Year Parking Lot Deal Is Not Good for the State of Rhode Island, Town of Narragansett, Commercial Fishermen, and all Those Who Love Galilee.
Since 2017 the Lighthouse Inn hotel ceased operations as the leaseholders, PRI X (Procaccianti Group and Paolino Properties), stated it was functionally obsolete and too costly to maintain and upgrade. The area surrounding has been used primarily as a parking lot. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) allowed PRI X to basically abandon the property. Apparently, the intent was to demolish the Inn and create more parking. There was push back by the Town of Narragansett and others.
1. In September 2019 – PRI X proposed to the Town of Narragansett an upscale restaurant with an event venue with outdoor deck space and 2 small retail spaces – NO net new parking spaces gained. The Town found the proposal ACCEPTABLE and was willing to compromise by allowing for a potential amendment to the lease to include retail space. PRI X later retracted its proposal stating an upscale restaurant with an event venue will not work in that area.
2. Last year Procaccianti Developers put out 2 proposals for the 5-acre parcel of land in Galilee where they leased out the land and the hotel since 1990. The 5-acre area consists of 3 parcels divided into lots 250, 256, and 257. The 2 renditions were for primarily a parking lot with one rendition showing a small strip mall, and the second was to have some green space and tenting for vendors. The Town was “underwhelmed” by both proposals. Mr. Vocolla of the RIDEM stated a hotel in the area will not work as the area is noisy and smelly.
3. Following the rejection of the proposals presented by PRIX the RIDEM AND PRIX generated an RFP. Three proposals were submitted. One was from PRIX and it was primarily a parking lot with some small store fronts. In addition, they proposed the potential for a boutique hotel would be FEASIBLE if and only if a 99-year lease was issued. The Town of Narragansett put forth a mixed-use development plan consisting of a parking garage, a boutique hotel, housing for the fishermen/affordable housing/community center, a maritime museum, store fronts, and a tourist center. I Cell Aqua proposed a seafood processing plant. All 3 proposals were rejected as not viable. In the RFP Goals it states, Respondents must address the following: “Contributions the redevelopment will bring to the commercial fishing industry, Town of Narragansett, State of Rhode Island, and the general public.” Ironically, the Town’s plan was the only plan that met that goal, yet it received the lowest grade out of the 3 proposals presented on the rubric created and scored by the RIDEM. The Town of Narragansett was never contacted to review its proposal for reconsideration with the RIDEM. The RFP process lacked transparency.
4. The RIDEM recently announced it plans to award PRIX a no-bid 19-year parking lot lease for lots 256 and 257. How can the RIDEM suggest that a 19-year no-bid for parking lot on 2 of the 3 lots on the 5-acre parcel is good for the State, the Town of Narragansett, and the Commercial Fishing Industry? In ADDITION, the RIDEM plans to demolish the Lighthouse Inn which sits on lot 250 at TAXPAYERS’ expense.
5. The lease will be a great gain for PRIX and a great loss for the State of Rhode Island and the Town of Narragansett. It will not only be a financial loss, but it will underutilize prime real estate that can be used for much better purposes to help the State of Rhode Island, the Town of Narragansett, and the Commercial Fishermen.
6. Our State is one of the most highly taxed in the United States. Ironically, we also have approved deals with millionaires and billionaires in the past such as the Curt Shilling Studio 38 Studios and the UHIP Fiasco. Both deals combined cost our State multi-millions in lost tax revenue.
In review of all the above, I urge all the members of the State Properties Committee to not approve the 19-year parking lot lease and to order PRIX to pay for the demolition of the Lighthouse Inn Property. If it was you or I who created such an eyesore on State leased land by abandonment of a leased building we would have been summoned into court, fined, and possibly face criminal prosecution for creating a building that is a health, safety, and an environmental hazard. How ironic, the RIDEM is supposed to protect our fragile ecosystem, but it allowed Procaccianti Developers to create a health, safety, and an environmental hazard by failing to enforce its lease.
Please reach out to me if I can answer any questions you may have. My email is aalbaphd@gmail.com, and my phone number is 401-218-3614. If you can please let me know one week in advance when the State Properties Committee Meeting will be held when it addresses the legitimacy of the RIDEM – 19 year parking lot lease to PRIX and the ruling on who will be responsible for the demolition of the building, it would be greatly appreciated.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Albert Alba