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Council awards Middle Bridge restaurant lease to local operator; liquor service left for later review
Summary
The council approved a lease award for the Middle Bridge Restaurant to See the Light DBA Southeast Light Delights with a $1-per-year rent for years 1–5; the applicant answered questions about renovations, the 50% substantial-improvement rule, parking and the possibility of future beer and wine service, which the RFP currently restricts.
The Narragansett Town Council voted June 15 to award the Middle Bridge Restaurant lease to the sole bidder See the Light DBA Southeast Light Delights and authorized the town manager to sign a lease after review by the town solicitor. The approved proposal calls for $1 per year rent for years one through five; terms for years six through ten are to be negotiated at the end of year five.
Applicant Andre Boudreau (122 Mohegan Trail, Block Island) told the council he commissioned an appraisal that valued the building at approximately $289,000 and supplied a restoration bid from Abcore Restoration for about $120,000. Boudreau said those numbers create a cushion under the municipal ‘‘50 percent’’ substantial‑improvement threshold that would trigger elevation requirements.
Councillors and members of the public raised questions about parking, where the operator could place picnic tables or patio furniture, and whether the RFP or future lease would allow beer and wine. The RFP text indicated food and non‑alcoholic beverages only; council members and staff advised that a liquor license application would be considered separately in a later process. Resident Catherine Celebrado urged the council to make the lease flexible enough to permit a future application for beer and wine; the town attorney and manager said the lease has not yet been drafted and that liquor licensing would be a separate hearing if pursued.
The motion to award the lease passed 4–0. Councilors said they support revitalizing the long‑vacant property and viewed the arrangement as a trial period for the new operator.
