EDITORIAL: We Need Bigger Thinking on the Future of Metacomet

EDITORIAL: We Need Bigger Thinking on the Future of Metacomet

East Providence faces one of the most important decisions in its modern history.

Presently, Marshall Properties is requesting a change to zoning and the city’s comprehensive plan for the development of an undefined project.

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Developing Metacomet into retail and potentially residential is analogous to layering strip malls onto the median on Blackstone Boulevard — transforming one of the most unique and picturesque environments in the state into Route 2.

That does not seem like a good idea.

A City of East Providence memo says the Marshalls are planning:

·       235,000 square feet of retail – Estimated value- $82 million

·       480,000 square feet of residential apartments – Estimated value - $168 million

·       280,000 square feet of townhouses – Estimated value - $98 million

·       150,000 square feet of office  - Estimated value - $52 million

·       80,000 square feet of assisted living – Estimated value - $28 million

·       60,000 square foot hotel – Estimated value - $21 million

Considering that retail, commercial office space, and hotels have been badly damaged by the economic downturn and recession, the demand for more inventory seems highly questionable. Whether the project is viable is one question and the adverse impact on the area is another.

The city estimated 4,000 employees let alone shoppers, residents and visitors. A dizzying increase in traffic to local roads. Who would want to live nearby? As one East Providence said at a public hearing this week on the project, "If you want Garden City, move to Cranston." 

Metacomet is a special place. It is a historical golf course designed by one of the world’s greatest designers - Donald Ross. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE

It is so unique for such a picturesque urban open space to even exist in 2020, allowing it to be an Applebees and a Walgreens seems to be mindless.

As a result of a bait-and-switch by a group of investors led by Brad Faxon who promised to restore the club and instead are now trying to flip the club to the Marshalls, the iconic property is at risk and so is the quality of life in East Providence.

It is time for East Providence officials, Governor Gina Raimondo’s administration, and organizations like the Nature Conservancy to join together with the Marshalls to develop a legacy of open space, public usage and maybe some minor development.

The Marshalls are not an uncaring out-of-state developer. They are a very successful family business that has a very unique opportunity to create an unmatched legacy — to put their name on something that could be for the public benefit for literally centuries.

Opportunities are endless to create something special and enduring — from a sports field complex to host tournaments to unmatched walking trails. Could 10% of the acreage be dedicated to residential, yes, but not it is not critical. Places like Goddard or Colt State Park are special. 

There have been 20 major retailers who have filed for bankruptcy in just seven months in 2020. Bulldozing Metacomet for retail seems misguided and bad business. How is that Wampanoag Mall, anyways? Is Cherry & Webb still there?

It is time to do better. Smarter thinking. It is the opportunity to create something that generations to come will say thank you for saving Metacomet. This is a special opportunity --  something more than blacktop and place for a J.C. Penney and a Bed Bath & Beyond - oh wait, they are both in Chapter 11.

As U.S. Senator John Chafee used to say, “No one ever regretted creating a state or federal park.”

East Providence has plenty of space for retail - there is only one Metacomet.