Portsmouth News Briefs

McKee praises Portsmouth project in State of the State speech

Posted 1/14/25

PORTSMOUTH — The Town of Portsmouth received kudos from Gov. Daniel McKee in his State of the State address Tuesday night at the State House.

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Portsmouth News Briefs

McKee praises Portsmouth project in State of the State speech

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — The Town of Portsmouth received kudos from Gov. Daniel McKee in his State of the State address Tuesday night at the State House.

Gov. Daniel McKee used The Ade Bethune House project under construction on Bristol Ferry Road as an example of the state finally making progress on a housing crisis that he said has been mounting in Rhode Island for decades.

The development, currently under construction, will feature 54 affordable housing units and share amenities with the town’s new senior center.

“A few months ago, I was in Portsmouth attending the groundbreaking for a 54-unit affordable housing development for residents age 55 and up,” McKee said. “The Town of Portsmouth provided the land for this project at no cost to the developer through a 99-year lease. This strategic partnership helped significantly lower costs.”

McKee recognized Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. and developer Christian Belden of Church Community Housing Corporation — both of whom attended the address — for the “innovative partnership” in which the state was proud to invest, the governor said.

“Now just imagine if all 39 communities across our state started to replicate what’s happening in Portsmouth,” McKee said.

In other news from around Portsmouth:

Town awarded $30K grant for lights at Elmhurst Park

Town-owned Elmhurst Park is slated to eventually get 20 lighting fixtures thanks to a $30,000 grant from Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.

The bank’s board recently voted to award a total of $3,341,918 in Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program (MIGP) awards to Portsmouth and 10 other communities for the completion of actionable, impactful projects identified through a request for proposals process. 

The lighting at Elmhurst Park is to support local tourism and programming in the park.

Projects receiving MIGP awards included public park upgrades, stormwater and sewer improvements, feasibility studies for drinking water infrastructure, and infrastructure upgrades to support housing development.

“From public park upgrades in Warwick and Providence, to stormwater improvements in East Providence, to sewer infrastructure to support housing in Cumberland, to studying drinking water needs in Jamestown, these grants will support the infrastructure needs our communities have identified as priorities,” said William Fazioli, executive director of Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. 

Hearing on Block Grant funding set for Jan. 22 at Town Hall

A public hearing on the town potentially applying for Rhode Island Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funding will be held next week.

Funding is available for the Town of Portsmouth to apply to undertake a range of activities including:

• improved housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

• provisions of employment opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons.

• provisions of community facilities and services principally benefiting low- and moderate-income families and/or individuals.

The public hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the second-floor conference room at Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road. The meeting will obtain the views of citizens on community development and housing needs and assessing program performance.

Written or oral comments may be provided to Town Planner Lea Hitchen at the hearing, or by emailing lhitchen@portsmouthri.gov.

Citizens with disabilities needing sign language or other assistance should call 401/222-5301 or 401/222-5301 TTY for an interpreter 72 hours in advance.

Water board meets Tuesday

The Administrative Board of the Tortsmouth Water and Fire District will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at the District’s office, 1944 East Main Road.

Visit www.portsmouthwater.org for call-in information.

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.