Crews tended recently to the weathered exterior of 169 Riverside Drive — home of the former Sakonnet Boat House kayak shop and used more recently by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation as headquarters during construction of the new Sakonnet River Bridge.

A RIDOT spokesman said the roughly $30,000 job included a fresh coat of paint. He said RIDOT plans to continue using the property at least until demolition of the old bridge is complete. The bridge deck is gone but the support pilings still must be removed.

Said David Stewart, who used to own Sakonnet Boat House and had voiced concern about the building’s recent deterioration, “It is nice to see that the state has finally stepped up and is repairing and hopefully will maintain the property that they've had for approximately 15 years. It is a significant property with lots of potential and it would be nice if the state and possibly the town could get together and maximize the benefits of this waterfront location. Since the new bridge has been completed that whole area has undergone a very positive transition and this state owned property has been a major eyesore.”