The following email was sent out to the RIDEM Director Terrance Gray, the Narragansett Town Council Members, the Town Manager, and the Town Building Inspector.   As you can see in the above photo Procaccianti Developers is still operating its parking lot in Galilee as it is promoting its Marina in Block Island in the parking lot area.   The below letter is addressing my concern on when the Lighthouse Inn will be demolished and when will Procaccianti Developers cease operating its parking lot in Galilee as its lease has been terminated.

Dear Director Gray, 

  Based on the Boston Globe Article dated May 2nd, 2023, the lease to Procaccianti Developers has been terminated.    I would like to thank you and your Department for terminating your lease with Procaccianti Developers.  Here is a link to the article: R.I. trying to shoo parking operator from seagull-infested Lighthouse Inn site in Galilee - The Boston Globe.    

As the RIDEM has seen most recently, those who may be curiosity seekers who explore or even trespass on abandoned property can get hurt, and it can be life threatening that may result in death.  The Stable in Newport is one of the most recent examples.   Abandoned Newport Stable Collapses, Injuring 4 Children | Newport, RI Patch.  Sadly, at the stable 4 young boys were hurt.  Therefore, based on the condition of the Lighthouse Inn, I feel Time is of the Essence, to demolish the Lighthouse Inn. 

Many others and I are concerned because the RIDEM has not announced when the Lighthouse Inn is scheduled for demolition.   At one time it was noted an independent inspection would need to be conducted prior to the demolition as the demolition would have to be done carefully due to the mold and toxins that may be in the building, yet no timeline for the inspection or demolition has been announced.  The longer the abandoned Lighthouse Inn is still standing the more precarious its structure is to the entire area.    As the condition of the structure was created by Procaccianti Developers who have 10 billion in real estate investments, it is my hope and that of the taxpayers of RI, that Procaccianti Developers will have to pay for the entire demolition of the building.   Here is a link to the company's website : Procaccianti Developers.   If any other business created this economic burden on RIDEM leased land, the company would be faced with monetary and punitive damages. 

As additional evidence of the condition inside the Lighthouse Inn, there are several videos that have been created regarding the condition by those who explored the Lighthouse Inn.   Here is a link to the first : https://youtu.be/41PAm9Ui6LM   Here is a link to the second video: https://youtu.be/OLVBI5j9fZA

Sadly, it appears that the parking lot for this summer is still being operated by Procaccianti Developers even though the developer created one of the worst environmental and health hazards on DEM leased land in the history of the United States.    Not only do they appear to be operating the parking lot, but they are clearly promoting Champlin's Marina in Block Island for which they are owners.   Please see the attached pictures.    As we all know just before Procaccianti Developers purchased Champlin's Marina, it was illegally approved to be expanded to twice its size.   Thank God, the Supreme Court ruled the expansion was illegal.  RI Supreme Court Denies Expansion of Champlin's Marina.    It is obvious Procaccianti Developers do not care about the environment as a result of what has happened in Galilee, and the fact that they did not step in to note the expansion of their Marina should be not allowed based on evidence it would hurt The Great Salt Pond, and the expansion was approved illegally.  

 Therefore, based on all of the above information provided to your department, it would be appreciated if you can please provide to me and the media when the Lighthouse Inn will be demolished and who will pay for the demolition.    It would also be greatly appreciated if you can let me know and the media when Procaccianti Developers will no longer be operating its parking lot in Galilee as it is being operated illegally as it is being operated without a Special Use Permit that the Town of Narragansett stated  was necessary for a private operator to have, and the fact that the RIDEM has terminated Procaccianti Developers lease, we are puzzled why a cease and desist order has not been put in place  to terminate Procaccianti's operation of the parking lot and to have the Developer removed from the leased land.    It is our hope the RIDEM or the Town of Narragansett will be operating the street level parking lots on the leased land.  

The Town and all residents in Rhode Island would like the RIDEM to reach out to the Town of Narragansett to create a viable mixed use development for Galilee.  The University of Rhode Island was involved with two classes that presented viable ideas for a mixed use development for Galilee.  Here is a link to the most recent project studies by the University of RI:  https://www.youtube.com/live/DRMcMKFeaB8?feature=share

Here are some articles that I wrote that were published.  I hope some of the ideas discussed will be of value.   Most of my ideas were supported by others including the URI project study classes that explored viable options for Galilee:  Opinion: Mixed-use development would help RI's Galilee face storm surges (providencejournal.com).

This is an article noted on Patch.org.   Narragansett's Proposal For Galilee - Narragansett, RI Patch.    While the Town of Narragansett's plan made the RIDEM have some concerns on funding sources, I would gladly help the RIDEM find funding sources for a Maritime Museum, a parking garage, a playground, and a housing / community center if that is determined to be a viable option for the area as they have in Newport at Newport's Seamen's Church Institute.  The Church Institute is funded by grants and corporations.   https://youtu.be/irRq4fos7sY 

 We can reach out to the Director of the Sailing Museum in Newport regarding ways to secure funding for a Maritime Museum .   I visited the Sailing Museum, and the Director told me she would be willing to sit down with me or others regarding funding sources they obtained for the Sailing Museum. Here is a virtual tour of the Sailing Museum:  https://youtu.be/Kh1j6Qu5fCs

If we can have a Maritime Museum in Galilee, that would be a quintessential location.    The Maritime Museum will be able to discuss the history of the Galilee Seaport, the fishing industry, honor those fishermen who dedicated their lives at sea and those lost at sea, and it will provide visitors with education related to safeguarding our fishing industry, a life as a fisherman, and the processing of fish from off the boats to the fish co-ops along Galilee.  The museum can also allow attendees to participate in interactive activities that fishermen are involved with from preparing for their trip and their day at sea including navigation.    Discussion can also include other fishing ports throughout Rhode Island.   A Biome Center and a research center can also be considered and funded through the University of RI Graduate School of Oceanography.

Here is a link to one of my most recent articles published:  Letter: Thank you to all who helped fight to protect Galilee | Opinion | independentri.com. 

 Thank you again Director Grey for terminating the lease with Procaccianti Developers.    I am including the letter you sent to PRIX (Procaccianti Developers to this email).   In the letter it did note a date of August 1st, 2023 for Procaccianti Developers to finally leave the area, and I am confused on that date as the letter clearly shows Procaccianti Developers grossly violated the prior terms of its lease.   I am therefore wondering why they were not immediately told to leave.   In any event, if you can get back to me and others when Procaccianti Developers will be out of that area for good it would be greatly appreciated.   

I know there were a lot of legal issues your team had to face to overcome the legal team of Procaccianti Developers, but we are all grateful the lease has finally been terminated.    Let us hope that we can now work together to create a viable mixed-use development in Galilee that will make our Gem of a Village Shine, so it will be a living legacy for you and the RIDEM to create a viable mixed-use development that will benefit all those that work, live, and visit Galilee, RI.   

   Please feel free to call me at 401-218-3614 or email me.   I would gladly donate my time to help the State create a viable mixed-use development for Galilee.  For my doctoral work at the University of Connecticut, I loved doing research and I excelled in my research classes, so I would gladly do the needed research to make Galilee a Gem of a Village that will be known as one of the most attractive fishing villages in the United States.  

                                      Respectfully Submitted,  Dr. Albert Alba