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Experts describe stormwater, utilities and public-access upgrades proposed at Waits Wharf
Summary
Narragansett Engineering and the applicant’s civil engineers testified that the Waits Wharf redevelopment will replace seawalls, raise site grade modestly, add stormwater treatment (bioretention, modular wetlands), rebuild sidewalks and HarborWalk segments, and provide required parking and EV spaces; witnesses said these measures will improve resiliency and water quality compared with current conditions.
Technical witnesses for the Waits Wharf project described a comprehensive infrastructure package tied to the redevelopment.
Neil Hingorani (Narragansett Engineering) summarized existing site conditions: multiple parcels, an approximately 131-space paved site, and coastal flood-zone designations (AE12 and VE13). He said the plan merges six parcels into a North and South lot and moves parking on-site with an aggregate of roughly 208 spaces. Hingorani testified the plan provides 114 spaces on the North Lot (required 112) and 94 on the South Lot (required 92), with space allotted for bike and scooter parking and eight EV spaces on the North and ten on the South.
Civil engineer Joseph Mallow described utility upgrades, new hydrants, sewer-main replacement, and a stormwater-management approach that did not exist on-site: catch basins connected to underground storage piping, bioretention planting areas, permeable pavers and modular wetland systems to treat runoff before it reaches the harbor. "At present, no," Mallow said of on-site treatment; "It's currently pretty heavily impervious. So right now, it's just collected in those catch basins and directed right into the Newport Harbor." He added the proposed design will substantially treat stormwater and improve water quality, raising the site’s flood resilience by building on piers and providing freeboard above base flood elevation.
Project teams told the board proposed HarborWalk and sidewalk easements will be recorded to ensure continuous public pedestrian access along the site perimeter; portions of the wider HarborWalk would be on private property but dedicated by easement. Witnesses said final permitting under CRMC and DEM will be required before demolition or soil disturbance begins.
