Block Island Maritime Center

The Block Island Maritime Center is a new facility proposed for New Harbor. The CGSP worked with the Town of New Shoreham and funded a major engagement with NCA – The Newport Collaborative Group – to design and plan for a maritime center. The Center addresses key issues before Rhode Island & Block Island including year-round and seasonal jobs; securing tourism revenue; improving water quality; increasing the health & safety of visitors and residents; adding ADA access to swimming and navigable waters; significantly increasing housing for town employees; and dedicating facilities for aquaculture: Oyster, kelp and shellfish farming.

Currently our public marine facilities on the Great Salt Pond place Block Island and RI in a vulnerable situation as the poor facilities are driving tourism dollars elsewhere. Block Island has not improved New Harbor public facilities in over 20 years and the current offerings are significantly below competitive benchmarks. This Center will lure boaters back to the island and encourage current visitors to stay longer, come more often and spend more money in Rhode Island. 

Water quality will be improved with the Center. The quality of the water in the great Salt Pond is closely monitored given the large shellfishing and recreational use. Currently there are relatively high levels of gray water being put in the pond from boaters showering, etc. Gray water will be greatly reduced given the laundry, showers and facilities in the Center. 

Local residents and visitors will have significantly greater access to the pond. In addition, access for the disabled will be constructed according to ADA guidelines whether it is to board a boat or enter the water, the facility is designed for use by all.

Housing is in critically short supply on Block Island like many communities but the situation is exacerbated given the 13+mile separation from the mainland and the inability to commute. The Center helps address this issue with housing for 6 town employees on the third floor of the Center.

There is a need for a dedicated commercial boat ramp for the aquaculture farmers and shell fisherman. Currently, the oyster and kelp farmers need to share facilities with recreational users, reducing safety and eliminating commercial storage space. The Center will enable Block Island to have dedicated facilities (boat ramp, etc.) to support our commercial operators.

Lastly, a significant need exists to educate tourists and residents of the impacts of sea level rise, the importance of keeping the pond clean and safe and the filtration role of the marshes around the pond. Boardwalks are designed with educational kiosks that are supported by The Nature Conservancy, Block Island Conservancy, Land Trust and other environmental organizations.

The maritime Center will address significant island issues, increase year-round and seasonal employment, increase year-round and seasonal housing, provide a center for the community in the off-season and drive incremental tourism revenue for the Island and State of Rhode Island.