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North Smithfield schedules public hearing after extended debate over $4 million multi‑generational center site
Summary
The Town Council voted to continue public comment and set a public hearing for Oct. 7 after extended testimony and competing recommendations over whether to use a $4 million federal grant at Hallowell (Howell) or to redevelop Scouters Hall. Architects and advisory committees offered contrasting cost and expansion analyses.
A divided but procedural North Smithfield Town Council on Sept. 16 agreed to continue public comment and schedule a public hearing on Oct. 7 after more than two hours of presentations and resident testimony about where to locate a proposed multi‑generational community center funded by a $4,000,000 federal grant.
The discussion centered on two alternatives: a new, larger facility at the Hallowell (Howell) property and a redevelopment or new building at the Scouters Hall site. Linda Tebow, chair of the Multi‑Generational Advisory Committee, told the council the committee voted on Aug. 14 to endorse converting Scouters Hall into a new 5,200‑square‑foot center with an estimated cost of about $4,269,000. She emphasized walkability and existing community partners tied to the Scouters location.
Joel Bargmann, the architect retained for the comparative analysis, presented a leveled cost comparison between the two sites and said renovation of Scouters would be nearly as costly as new construction. Bargmann noted code, ceiling‑height and ADA constraints at Scouters, described added site work and driveway costs that drove estimates higher, and said Hallowell offers more room for future expansion. “If you had to ask my opinion, I like Hallowell because I think it offers more opportunity to grow in the future,” Bargmann said.
The Hallowell Review Committee urged the council to retain the $4 million grant at Hallowell, noting the committee’s master plan includes trails, outdoor recreation and an initial 6,600‑square‑foot building option; committee members presented an updated escalated cost of roughly $5.93 million for that option.
Residents and stakeholders gave mixed testimony. Supporters of Scouters warned of the expense of abandoning previous site work and of seniors’ access if the site changes; others said Scouters requires roughly $2 million in repairs to remain usable. Hallowell supporters described community garden, trail and parking advantages and stressed efficiencies of concentrating grant funds and related grants on a single site.
After hearing the presentations and public comments, council members discussed notification and transparency for a public hearing and ultimately voted to continue and consolidate public testimony and hold a formal hearing on Oct. 7 so residents and committees can present more detailed written estimates and questions.
Next steps: the council requested updated written cost estimates that clearly separate site‑work items (including a driveway realignment estimated to be roughly $300,000) and noted the need to clarify whether a separate $1,000,000 outdoor‑recreation grant designated for Hallowell could be transferred. The council did not take a final site decision at the Sept. 16 meeting; it scheduled more public comment and an Oct. 7 continuation of the item.
