By JOHN HOWELL It closed as a Warwick school in 2008 and, despite a year when rented to the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Christopher Rhodes School has sat vacant, a target for vandals and an irresistible temptation - at least for some children - as
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It closed as a Warwick school in 2008 and, despite a year when rented to the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, Christopher Rhodes School has sat vacant, a target for vandals and an irresistible temptation – at least for some children – as a place to break into and explore.
This Monday, the Warwick City Council was expected to take action that will demolish the school and place the nearly 10-acre property on the tax rolls with the development of 29 single-family homes.
That action would close a chapter on years of efforts to find a new use for the property that ranged from converting it into assisted housing for the elderly to a home for Artists’ Exchange, the non-profit based in Cranston.
Finding a use for the property was a never-ending ambition of the late Bruce Place, the Ward 2 councilman and City Council president.
If anyone knows what the neighborhood would like to see happen to Rhodes School, it’s today’s Ward 2 Councilman Jeremy Rix, who has knocked on more than 400 doors to find out. He said Friday there is overwhelming support of seeing the property used for single-family homes and the plan advanced by Warwick developer Hugh Fisher. Fisher, who has built a number of Warwick residential projects, including the former Jenny’s Ice Cream site in Conimicut and the former Darrel Johnson landscape property on West Shore Road in Hoxsie, is proposing homes of 1,400 to 1,500 square feet that would sell in the range of $275,000 to $300,000.
In an interview Thursday, Fisher said the project would fit with the neighborhood and be “beautiful.”
This is the second round for Fisher to acquire the property.
When advertised for bids more than two years ago, the city sought offers to buy it alone or as part of a larger package that included the adjoining former Aldrich Junior High School. There were no proposals for a combination of the properties with Fisher’s being the only bid for Rhodes and that of the International Charter School for Aldrich. Both proposals didn’t make it through the City Council, where Mayor Joseph Solomon was then City Council president.
Fisher proposed either the development of single-family homes or 50 condominiums. He offered to pay $550,000 if the city demolished the former school and cleaned up the site, or $117,000 if he had to raze the school.
Rix said when Solomon became mayor the city contracted ECM Environmental to assess the cost of removing the building and clearing the site. That estimate came back last August at $635,000, which Rix observed “suddenly” made Fisher’s bid look even better. In addition, the city obtained an appraisal of the property of $325,000. That estimate was obtained in December, at which time the mayor initiated talks with Fisher.
Fisher agreed to buy the school for $325,000 and assume the cost of demolishing the building himself.
In compliance with neighborhood requests, Fisher said the development would be accessed by three streets, all currently dead ends, and that they would remain dead ends. Assuming City Council approval of the sale and with signature of a purchase and sales agreement, Fisher said he would move ahead with the project.
As for Aldrich, which in addition to Wickes School, the former school administration building and one-time elementary school on Warwick Avenue and Randall Holden School that is temporarily being used by St. Kevin School is surplus city property, Rix is hopeful it can be put to use. He favors retaining the building and its use for office or perhaps a combination office/residential use. He is opposed to use of the site for a big box store or plaza development that could result in increased traffic. He said the administration is continuing to reach out to prospective buyers.
“I’m confident we can find a solution,” he said.
He said saving the historical building is a priority. He would also like “some public space preserved.” What he is thinking of is a playground or park area that could be used by the neighborhood.
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Justanidiot
what a grate ideer. lets do this wit all the skuls in warwick. think of the tax money that can be generated and saved all at the same time. the master mayer plan of increasing taxes and cutting spending. youse want yer brats educated, youse pay for it.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Report this
richardcorrente
The City Council, perhaps in an overabundance of caution, has finally agreed to this venture that will eventually put a ton of tax revenue into the cash register. That will lower the tax needs of the rest of us. Credit should go especially to Councilperson Rix who knocked on over 400 doors in his due diligence. Hugh Fisher is a great-value builder. This project is an absolute win-win for the City and the taxpayers.
Congratulations to all.
Happy St. Patricks everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Tuesday, February 26, 2019 Report this
Former User
richard corrente, I don't know what kind of math you are doing to justify saying the city will make "a ton of tax revenue" from this project.
So far, it looks like the city will get $325,000 for selling the property (which is not tax revenue), and an as-yet undetermined amount of taxes from 29 single-family homes. We don't know what these homes will be assessed at, or what the increased costs to provide city services to new residents will be.
So when you say that this development will "lower the tax needs of the rest of us," you are making an irresponsible claim that does not take these factors into account.
Wednesday, February 27, 2019 Report this
wwkvoter
I can add to Hillsgrove Hal (great name!), it costs almost 20,000 PER CHILD for education, plus city services like road work, trash pickup, snow plowing, police, fire.
There is NO WAY (as usual) that corrente makes any sense at all. But it is easy just apply the "corrente rule" - "Fake mayor - fake Information".
Have a Happy Fake Stats Day Everybody!
Thursday, February 28, 2019 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear HillsgroveHal,
You're right that the sales price of $325,000 is not "tax revenue" BUT IT IS REVENUE! And the taxes received on those homes will be "a ton more than Warwick is receiving now!" HH, (can I call you "HH, HillsgroveHal?) says he doesn't know what kind of math I am using to justify what I am saying, so I'll answer his question. I'm using BASIC MATH!!! Just like the kind the Beacon uses when they ask "Seven minus four is:_______."
Happy St. Patricks HH.
Happy St. Patricks everyone who already understand basic math.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, February 28, 2019 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear wwkvoter,
Henry, once again you're wrong. And you're being dishonest...again.
If you divide our total tax revenue by our number of students it does come to "over $20,000 per student", but Henry (or whatever your honest name is) you can't be thinking that is an accurate analysis. You can't! What about the economic law of diminishing returns that says adding 50 or 60 new students won't add much at all to our fixed costs (teachers salaries, police/fire/municipal employee costs, heat, electric, janitorial costs etc.) and will only add a minimal cost to our variable expenses (books, lunches, etc.) Plus, with our classrooms increase of percentage of capacity, Warwick will qualify for more student aid from the state! And Henry! What about all those Warwick taxpayers that contribute to the tax base but don't have any children in our schools. Never mind that one Henry. It might be a little too complex for you. Bottom line is that this project will be a cash cow for Warwick and Solomon is right to take credit for his part in it. Last night in his "State-of-the-City" address he got a loud applause for it. I know. I was there. Be honest Henry. You just don't like anything I say, do you. The "Fake Stats" are coming from you buddy, so "Happy Fake Stats Day" Henry, who doesn't have the credibility of an honest name.
Happy St. Patricks everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Thursday, February 28, 2019 Report this
Former User
wwkvoter, I don't see any specific numbers from richard corrente, despite him claiming that he's using "basic math."
Somehow his version of "basic math" means that more students will cost the city less, and that new homes will have a "minimal" impact on city services.
Instead of insulting me, maybe he can explain how a shrinking population and lower number of kids in Warwick schools has meant higher costs to the city over the past few years.
As you say, he just doesn't make any sense.
Thursday, February 28, 2019 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear HillsgroveHal, AKA "HH",
You say you don't see any specific numbers from me. Didn't you read the part that says $325,000? That is a specific number isn't it?
And any tax revenue number at this stage of construction HAS to be an estimate doesn't it?
Finally you want me to explain how more students will "cost the City less". Once again, HH, it's basic math. More students do cost less-per-student. Not less in total but less-per-student.
Here is one question for you. Do you think this project is good for Warwick or are you the only person that doesn't?
Rick
Friday, March 1, 2019 Report this
Former User
richard corrente, stop demanding that I answer your questions until you:
1. Show me where I said I don't think this is a good project.
2. Put a number on this "ton of tax revenue" you think will result from this project.
At least you admit that more students will not cost the city less "in total," as you put it.
That means those 50 or 60 students will actually cost more money.
No wonder you lost two elections; you can't even keep your own story straight.
Friday, March 1, 2019 Report this