Paolino Kicks State Archives Out of Controversial Westminster St. Location
GoLocalProv News Team
Paolino Kicks State Archives Out of Controversial Westminster St. Location
“Paolino Properties opted not to renew our lease. Upon notification of this, we initiated the public bid process to find a new location for the Archives. We won’t know about the cost until all proposals are received,” said Nick Domings, spokesperson for Secretary of state Nellie Gorbea.
“This situation further demonstrates the need for a permanent, state-owned facility for the Rhode Island State Archives,” Domings added.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“It's a mutual agreement...they want something more permanent. I have a charter school that wants their space and [the school] is already on the second floor of their building,” Paolino said. “I sent them a letter reminding them about when they need to move otherwise there will be kids on the street.”
Now, the state has issued a new request for proposals for a new space to house the State's most valuable and important antiquities.
Paolino said he will bid on that lease too. "The secretary of state has an RFP out and we are going to propose an alternative site to them," said Paolino.
In May, a GoLocal review found that Gorbea says that a new study unveils that the state archives exhibit and storage location needs to be replaced and is advocating for Rhode Island to spend millions to build a dedicated building to store and exhibit valuable historic document and antiquities.
And, while calling for new space, Gorbea simultaneously pushed for the state to continue to lease space in downtown Providence from developer Joe Paolino’s company for up to an additional four years.
Gorbea criticized the Paolino space in announcing the findings of the study, ”The State Archives has occupied a leased space at 337 Westminster Street in Providence since 1990. The building is an office space located in a geographic flood plain, and was meant to be a temporary location. The Archives is home to more than 10 million items in a variety of formats dating back to 1638.”
The state's lease was renewed with Paolino in March of 2016 for up to four years — the rent payments generate more than $640,000 over the course of the agreement for Paolino’s company.
GoLocal asked Gorbea’s office why if the space was inferior did Gorbea’s office not oppose the lease renewal with Paolino. Her spokesman Domings said Gorbea’s focus was on finding a permanent location.
Over nearly 30 years Paolino has been paid millions by the state in rent for the Westminster Street space — used by the Secretary of State's archives, for “temporary” space which is deemed to be putting Rhode Island’s history “at risk.”
Gorbea’s office denies any political ties. “Mr. Paolino’s ownership of the building predates the Secretary’s time in office. It had no bearing on the renegotiation. There were no comparable options that included archival climate controls. (The Archives cannot be moved into a regular office space lease.) The decision was made solely on what is best for the historic treasures and the State of Rhode Island. Renegotiation of the existing lease was the most prudent course of action,” said Domings.
Few Funds Have Been Raised, Budget Requests Denied
Domings said in May that Gorbea has been fundraising to support the effort for a new space. He cited that Gorbea had secured a "study" grant from the Rhode Island Foundation, “In February 2016 Secretary Gorbea secured funding for the Rhode Island Foundation to conduct a two-part needs assessment for a new archival facility.”
GoLocal repeated requested details on the grant — but was never provided any followup.
In addition, GoLocal requested details on any other grants or fundraising.
Gorbea has previously requested $5 million in funding in from the State for architectural and engineering work for a new building across from the State House. That request was rejected.