'Tiverton Crossings' Promises Jobs, Economic Growth

Tiverton Crossings, a proposed 62-acre commercial development project could translate to 1,500 local jobs and up to $2 million annually in tax revenue, according to developers.

Project developers from the Carpionato Group are looking to invest $80 million - $100 million in 385,000 square feet of retail space and more than 150,000 square feet of office space as well as in a hotel and restaurants.

"The vision we lay out is what we believe could be a major tax generator, and a major employee generator for Tiverton," said Kelly MacArthur Coates, senior vice president at Carpionato Group.

The 18-building compound is projected to earn Tiverton $1.6 million to $2 million per year in tax revenue at current rates.

The Carpionato Group, which also developed Chapel View in Cranston, is looking to create an up-scale, community-centered environment where residents can work, live, eat and play nearby.

"We want this to be a Main Street environment, pedestrian friendly," said Joe Pierik, director of the New England territory at Carpionato. "This is going to be the opposite of [the New] Harbour Mall in Fall River. We are going for the village retail concept."

By creating many buildings - hotels, office space and retail window fronts, Pierik said the services would feed off of each other and work together to create a vibrant planned community within north Tiverton.

"Tiverton, in my opinion, needs a magnet to get people to the town," added Pierik. "We are super-sensitive about the tolls because once people figure out it's going to cost them $10 to cross the bridge, they are going to a different way out."

Pierik said Carpionato would move forward with its application to build the development in spite of tolls.

The site's location - sandwiched between Route 24 and Souza Road - is ideal for commuters.

Tiverton officials worried during Monday's joint workshop by the Town Council and Planning Board of the impacts of increased traffic as well as protecting the assets of property owners on Souza Road.

Residents were not invited to speak, but will be invited to speak out at a public hearing should Carpionato choose to move forward with its master plan review of the project.

Coates, one of the project managers, said the developers would work with the town and state to create a mutually beneficial development.

The Carpionato Group also submitted an application for a project in the Industrial Park, no further information on the application is available, as it was discussed during an executive session.

"If you don't share our vision, we are going to be flexible, but would like to have the chance to persuade you with renderings and drawings on how that would work," said Coates.

Pending approval, Coates teased some big retail names as possible future tenants during the workshop including Alex and Ani, Whole Foods and REI.