Development News for Middletown, Rhode Island

Middletown Council Hears Public Input on West Main Road Development and Hotel Proposal

The town council held a public hearing to discuss a proposed zoning overlay district and amendments to the comprehensive community plan and zoning map. The proposals primarily concern a 3.24-acre parcel at the corner of West Main Road and Codington, formerly the site of a hotel, which is now planned for a 144-room hotel and a 3,000 sq ft park. Residents expressed significant opposition to the hotel, concerns about traffic, water usage, and the potential loss of open space, advocating for alternative community-focused developments. The council clarified that the overlay district, while covering 15 acres, would allow flexibility for future development of the remaining parcels, with the existing recreational complex (Pottsy Field) remaining in place and zoned public. The discussion also touched upon the process of development agreements, the nature of RFIs versus RFPs, and the financial projections for the hotel project.