If you listen to Greg O’Brien from Churchill & Banks, the commercial development of the Mulligan’s Island area is a fait accompli. It’s only a matter of time. And we should be thankful that such a nice and generous commercial suitor has stepped up to the plate in Mulligan’s batting box with it paving machine. Furthermore, Cranston Herald writer Elizabeth Seal quotes Greg O’Brien saying that Churchill & Banks is, “working with city officials to develop the best possible layout” for the commercial development of Mulligan’s Island. From the Cranston Herald:
Ever since it was announced that developers Churchill and Banks were looking to turn Mulligan’s Island, a golf facility, into a big-box retail plaza, the debate has been loud and, for the most part, inconclusive.
The original plan, which called for five super-sized retail stores, was withdrawn after neighbors protested the size and scale of the project. A subsequent version, which sets aside 19 acres as open space and trimmed the retail spaces down – both in size and number – hasn’t yet been submitted to the city Planning Department (although it appeared as a full-page ad in last week’s Herald). Greg O’Brien, who has been serving as a spokesman for Churchill and Banks, said the firm is still revising its proposal, implying that the plan that comes before the Planning Commission next month could show even more significant changes.
“They’re working with city officials to come up with the best possible layout,� said O’Brien. [full text]
The city is not spending its time appointing new members to the planning commission so they can have a public meeting and get community input about planning. Instead they are working with Churchill & Banks to come up with the best possible layout for commercial development. Our local government’s priority here seems to be talking to businesses, not listening to the community and preserving open space or maximizing recreational areas.
Sadly, it’s the American way.
UPDATE: The meeting of the planning commission was rescheduled for Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 7 pm. I assume that is in City Hall, Council Chambers.
Kmareka.com 
Only one word comes to mind, disgraceful !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cindy Fogarty said it best in a recent e-mail.
“What the city council has told residential owners as of last night – is “we don’t care about you -we have screwed up the budget so badly that we need corporate dollars and we will take them on your backs and over your objections”
If it were 200+ years ago, we’d be throwing tea into the Atlantic. Time for a change.
I was obviously also very disturbed by Greg O’Brien’s comments in the Herald. There was another quote from him that was “THIS WILL NOT REMAIN, IN THE FUTURE, A GOLFING FACILITY, IT WILL BE DEVELOPED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES.â€?
Why is he so confident in that? No matter who proposes a plan, it still needs to follow the same process and the fact remains that the changes to the zoning and Comprehensive Plan (as well as the sale of a city-owned ball field) need to be approved by the CITY for this to go forward.
Who are the City Officials working with C&B and like Kiersten said, why are they working with C&B and not their own tax-paying residents and voters??? Is it the developers that live in Cranston and will feel the consequences of the destruction to our city, neighborhoods and homes?
From the City’s current Comprehensive Plan: “…the “Cornfields,â€? is not recommended for major economic development initiatives because of its proximity to nearby residential areas and a recreational site.”
First…The meeting as I stated is being held on Tuesday, August 21st in the Council Chambers at 7pm. The Ordinance Committee will be meeting on Thursday, August 16th at 7pm in the Council Chambers.
Second…I have been taking lessons and play golf in a Women’s League at Mulligan’s for the last several weeks, I have become even more convinced that removal of this site does nothing to better our City’s environment or our entire Community. I have spent time speaking with residents and non-residents in my Women’s Instructional League at Mulligan’s and they hope that our City officials are doing everything to ensure that Mulligan’s stays as is.
Third…I don’t know what council members have indicated that they have ruined the budget to the point that we need to secure a million in tax revenue when this comes to only pennies on the tax rate. I was watching a public access show last night about a cement plant coming to a community in which they receive host community funding. I don’t know about you, but ensuring a certain amount of money in tax relief for new business thinking about coming to our community should be first which would ensure a guarantee rate of funding for a certain number of years on top of the taxable rate of payments that businesses will then pay each year to the City. I would like to have future conversations about implementation of a tax for being a host community for certain types of projects and certain project areas (predetermined of course).
Fourth….It does not matter that Church & Banks will be providing, as said above a million dollars, which equals pennies to the tax rate when open space would improve our Community. Finally, we must be careful about bonding of any kind, because as you know we will be unable to raise our new spending above 5% for this coming budget year based upon the new state law which means we may need more in taxes from new businesses and/or homeowners to a tune of more than just a million over the next several years. It may not occur in an election year, but we must start asking for budgets for more than one-year as the % rate for increases will continue to decrease and spending does not. As a member of the finance committee and with actions of the General Assembly to curb property taxes, I will be asking for projected budgets for years out and these will prove to be an important future tool.
So no one in this City should be talking to Church & Banks about such a project to make it work including me. As the Chair of the Ordinance, I can assure all residents that no one from my committee meaning council members have had any meetings with Church & Banks to make the project work. I cannot speak for anyone but myself regarding the Planning Commission or the Administration of the City, but I have not met with anyone from Church & Banks.
I enjoyed my experience on the golf course so much, that I would love to see a Women’s Golf League started at Mulligan’s. So I am looking for those that would be interested in playing a Par 3 Course weekly or every other week. Call me if you are interested.
Paula,
To avoid any possible confusion…In the post previous to yours, I mentioned “Councilpeople that care and listen and try to make a difference v. the rest of them”.
You are one of the councilpeople who cares and listens and tries to make a difference. You have been honest, approachable, and pleasant in conversation and I thank you for your hard work.
Richard Brown SCOS
Hopefully Greg O’Brien was attempting to employ tactics to lead residents to believe that the development is being built and that C&B has the City’s blessing. What we need to remember is that there are opportunities for residents to voice their opinions at the meetings that Councilwoman McFarland mentioned and it is important that there is a large turn out at both of them.
Also, a golf league sounds like a wonderful idea. When I lived in Warwick they had adult recreation classes/programs offered throughout the year. I didn’t see a mention of any on the Parks & Rec page on the City’s website, but it would be a wonderful program to start.
Actually one of the programs that Warwick offers is a women’s golf league.
link
“one of the councilpeople who cares and listens and tries to make a difference. You have been honest, approachable, and pleasant in conversation and I thank you for your hard work”, I agree.
Also, don’t you think Carpionato pitched the Chappel View $$$ condo’s with the attractive golf option…steps away from their future homes. I agree with Rachel that they are not advertising as much as they could be to get a more steady flow of business – like corporate parties. I just went for a work one in the northwestern part of Massachusetts and it was terrific with miniture golf and similar offers as Mulligan’s – they offered B-Day parties with option to rent pony ride/bunnies; clown make up; Cartoon Drawings; sandmaking; tiedie shirts and other options. We had a lobster fest under a tent (just cement floor) and it was at least 80% open space. They did a killer business. Mulligan’s just needs a better boost manager and it can be a generator for business (corporate get gatherings, there was beer & wine served at these). Perhaps Rachel you should think about sitting down with Mulligan’s folks and discuss the opportunity.
Kimball Farm, http://www.kimballfarm.com/
Also, I have heard several Council people say I voted based on how I thought…. excuse me, but it should be based on the concensus of your Ward.
The new C&B plans have been submitted to the Planning Department.