DEM: Bids Wanted for Galilee Parking Garage

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management is seeking bids from experienced developers for the construction and operation of a multilevel parking garage facility and public restroom in the Port of Galilee.

The facility would be constructed on Lots 96 and 117 in the Port of Galilee, which would be leased by the selected vendor from the state. The state would not bear any of the construction costs for the parking garage and restrooms.

The facility will serve the needs of seasonal visitors, employees, and customers of Galilee Port businesses, as well as Block Island Ferry patrons. Bidders may propose alternative uses for off-season, including temporary boat storage or other uses that are allowed with zoning and compatible with the area.  Off-seasonal uses that support the commercial fishing facility industry are especially encouraged.  

The facility would consolidate current parking areas in the port, which cover about 12 acres of land, so that more of that property could be used to support fishing-related industries at Point Judith.  

“There is an ongoing need to improve the aging infrastructure in Galilee to support the commercial fishing industry and the landside businesses in the Port,” DEM Director Janet Coit said. “Modernizing our state-supported port operations is vital to the future of our commercial fisheries, and consolidating parking would create new opportunities to improve port assets at Galilee.”

Lots 96 and 117 are located on Great Island Road in Narragansett and consist of 160,000 square feet (lot 96) and 30,000 square feet (Lot 117) of land currently used for parking and DEM facilities.  The lots are zoned by the Galilee Special District Plan G-B (business zone), which permits the construction of a government owned parking garage. 

Construction and operation of the parking facility would be at the sole cost and expense of the successful bidder.  The parking fees for the facility would be approved by DEM. Any agreement would be subject to approval by the State Properties Committee.

Galilee is home for more than 240 commercial fishing vessels. The Port is almost completely developed, with a multitude of fishing-related businesses, restaurants, a hotel, ferry service to Block Island, recreational charter and sightseeing boats, as well as DEM’s Coastal Resources Division headquarters, a U.S. Coast Guard Station, Salty Brine and Roger Wheeler State Beaches, the Galilee Salt Marsh and Bird Sanctuary, and two public boat launch ramps.

The Port also provides approximately 3,800 parking spaces through state owned and operated parking areas, lessee-run parking areas and privately owned parking areas.

According to a recent study by the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, the total value of sales of commercially caught marine species landed in Rhode Island in 2010 was more than $200 million. The study also highlighted that Rhode Island’s infrastructure supporting boats and commercial fishing is critical to the future of our commercial industry.

The land leases are for a variety of businesses, from fish processing to wholesale and retail fish, to restaurants to beach-related gift shops.  The majority of Galilee tenants has been there for years and has grown successful businesses despite difficult economic times. The continued support of the state has enabled the businesses and the boats to remain in the Port and to keep Galilee as a working commercial fishing port. 

Proposals will be accepted until 10 a.m. on April 3 by the Department of Administration, Division of Purchases. A copy of the RFP is posted on the DOA website located at www.purchasing.ri.gov.

A pre-proposal informational conference will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28 in Room 300 at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence.  Questions concerning the bid solicitation must be submitted in writing no later than 4 p.m. to Terri Bisson in DEM’s Division of Planning and Development at 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908, or via email to terri.bisson@dem.ri.gov or fax to 401-222-2591.

Release courtesy of RIDEM.