Projo Biz Blog

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. --- The Quonset Development Corporation has terminated a reservation for waterfront property at the Port of Davisville given to the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, the nonprofit behind a plan for a military museum and park at the former naval base.

The corporation's board of directors voted in executive session Monday evening to rescind an offer for space north of Pier 2, where the foundation proposed docking the Saratoga, a retired steel aircraft carrier, and opening it up to the public as the centerpiece of a museum.

The decision comes as Quonset continues to grow as an auto import port and as a developer of renewable energy moves forward with a proposal to assemble components for wind turbines inside the park and then ship them out through Davisville.

The corporation released a statement Tuesday saying that it "can no longer hold the property in reserve" for the foundation at the state-owned business park.

"While QDC applauds the Saratoga Foundation and its supporters for their ambitious efforts and sympathize with their desire to preserve this piece of American history, the project is regrettably incompatible with the ongoing development of the Business Park," the statement said.

 Tags  North Kingstown RI Quonset Development Corporation Quonset Point USS Saratoga Museum Foundation

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