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(rshsdepot) East Greenwich, RI

From today's Providence Journal

Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

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Residents generally upbeat over proposed rail station


EAST GREENWICH -- Residents last night got their first look at plans for a
new commuter rail station and other development near the downtown area.

Roughly 40 people attended a public meeting at which town officials and
consultants presented information on the proposal for the property bordered
by Rocky Hollow Road and the Maskerchugg River. Besides the station, it
includes residential and commercial buildings. The station would be built on
the Amtrak rail line bordering the property.

The 16-acre property comprises parcels belonging to four different owners -- 
American Legion Post 15, Green Industries, Narragansett Improvement Co. and
developer Joseph Zenga. Officials described the potential development as a
``public-private partnership.``

Residents expressed guarded support for the proposal.

``At this point, it`s an acceptable possibility,`` said Susan Hammond, who
lives on Greenwich Boulevard, near the proposed station site.

Hammond said the station would benefit residents seeking to travel to Boston
and Providence.

But Hammond and others raised concerns that traffic into and out of the
station would cause congestion on roads in nearby neighborhoods.

Engineering consultant John Ball responded that most commuter rail riders
would arrive and leave the station outside typical morning and evening rush
hours. But he conceded that additional traffic studies would have to be done
as plans for the station develop.

Residents also questioned how the station`s construction -- currently
estimated to cost $7.5 million -- would affect local property taxes. Town
Manager William Sequino Jr. said the state and federal governments would
probably foot the bill for the entire project.

On the off chance that the town does have to contribute some money, Sequino
said, the issue would be decided by voters through a bond referendum.

In addition to the rail station, a two-level parking garage, office or
commercial space and 80 units of apartment-style housing are proposed for
the Rocky Hollow Road site.

Sequino said that some of the new housing could be priced at moderate rates,
thus helping the town meet the state`s 10 percent benchmark for affordable
housing stock.

The idea of developing the Rocky Hollow Road site first surfaced in 2001,
when the town was updating its ``Downtown Revitalization Plan.``

The commuter station, town officials said, would bring additional business
to nearby shops and restaurants in town.

``Having a commuter rail stop in town is nothing but a plus,`` Sequino said
yesterday.

A final report on the commuter rail station plan is expected be completed by
late next month. The state, with the town`s consent, will ultimately decide
whether or not a commuter rail station will be built in East Greenwich. If
it does meet the town and the state`s approval, town officials said the
station would open sometime within the next five to 10 years.

The state is moving forward with plans for two other commuter stations -- 
one in North Kingstown and another near T.F. Green Airport, in Warwick -- 
which are scheduled to open by late 2006.

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #854
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=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org