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Council approves purchase agreement for 81 Garfield Street to secure stormwater access
Summary
The City approved a Department of Utilities recommendation to buy 81 Garfield Street from RIDOT (not to exceed $500,000, including $50,000 contingency) to preserve options for stormwater infrastructure and potential controlled retreat or adaptation.
The Department of Utilities asked the council to approve a purchase and sale agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation for the property at 81 Garfield Street, with a total cost not to exceed $500,000 including a $50,000 contingency. The motion passed on voice vote.
Rob (Department of Utilities representative) said DOT had acquired the property and planned to resell it; the city was given a short window to express interest. He described the parcel as sitting tightly against a DOT abutment and said directional drilling or other access could be required to install needed stormwater infrastructure. He said the property may be used as a case study in flood resilience or, in the worst case, could be demolished if infrastructure required it.
Councilors asked whether the city intended to demolish or adapt the house; the Utilities representative said the intent was to retain options and that the purchase would provide flexibility to install drainage and mitigate recurrent flooding in adjoining neighborhoods.
Funding and next steps: the cost will come from Water Pollution Control Division capital funds; council voted to approve the purchase so the city would have optionality to protect infrastructure and pursue resilience measures.
Sources: Department of Utilities presentation and council vote on July 24.
