Proposed stores
conflict with original vision for boat landing
By MARCIA GREEN, Valley Breeze Editor
CENTRAL FALLS - There's always been a vision,
but private investment never followed the hundreds of thousands
of state and federal dollars invested in the massive Blackstone
River dock that's been named Central Falls Landing.
It's the only dock in all 45 miles of the
river, according to Robert Billington, president of the
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
But despite big plans, the dock hasn't been the
build-it-and-they-will-come trigger always hoped for.
Now officials involved with the new economic
development effort called the Tri-Community Initiative say
Central Falls Planning Director Art Hanson told them last week
to expect a KFC fried chicken place or Taco Bell on this site
just over the Cumberland line.
If true, slick fast-food eateries are a far cry
from the Bannisters Wharf type of setting described over the
years for the site:
-
Where an 1810, Slater Mill-era wooden mill
building is restored to feature privately owned shops with a
restaurant and bar at the side of the river for tourists and
locals to linger and mingle.
-
Where the riverboat Explorer and canal boat
are docked, fishermen congregate and boaters launch skiffs
and canoes.
-
Where the city of Central Falls gets an
economic boost and a chance to show off its
ethnically-varied cuisine.
Said Billington, "I am concerned that a
standard Taco Bell and a KFC business model would not
necessarily fit into the long-term plans of a sustainable Broad
Street."
Hanson did not return Valley Breeze phone calls
seeking confirmation of the new plans.
The city of Central Falls owns this property
after taking it in 1995 for back taxes. Over the years, the land
has been cleared, adjacent buildings removed, and federal
dollars invested in replacing the mill's roof.
Now Billington said he's also worried about the
mill building.
"I am fearful that these type of food
establishments may not want to keep the historic building which
is the former Central Braided Rug.
"It would be a shame to lose the building due
to the fact that is so much like the Slater Mill in scale and
age and could add so much to the Central Falls Landing. The
federal and city money that was invested in the Landing may not
see its full potential."
Countless grants have been sought and won,
including Community Development Grant Block dollars.
Said then U.S. Sen. Lincoln Chafee in a May
2000 press release about the project, "This landing, with its
boat launch and restaurant, will become an important attraction
- one that renews pride and increases investments in Central
Falls."
In a 1997 letter to President Clinton, then
Mayor Lee Matthews was promoting the Blackstone as an American
Heritage River when he said, "Of significant importance is the
city of Central Falls' proposed development of the Central Falls
Landing . . . a multi-use facility that will serve as an
economic stimulus for the city."
Jan Reitsma, executive director of the
Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission,
is anxious to hear details, he said.
His commission invested thousands of dollars in
the dock.
Reitsma said the commission "obviously has a
concern, but we don't know if these are definite plans. I don't
want to jump the gun."
He told The Valley Breeze, the site "has
tremendous potential. We've always been clear about our
preference here."
Several developers have raised hopes by taking
a look at the property over the years, including, in 2002,
Richard Graf and David Stein who converted the old Ashton Mill
for apartments.
In 2003, Gordon Ondis proposed a $6.9 million
project called The Landing complete with condominiums, banquet
hall and restaurant.
