Projo Biz Blog

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. - A plan to construct a pair of two-story buildings for a medical center on South County Trail, a half mile south of the Showcase Cinema complex, generated positive vibes from members of the East Greenwich Planning Board Wednesday night.

"We have the ability to benefit from a growth industry," Planning Director Lee R. Whitaker told the board just before a representative of the developer, Jennifer Cookke of F.H. French Real Estate, offered details in a pre-application conference. "It will remove what is essentially an eyesore on Route 2."

If approved, the new "Greenwich Center" would be the latest in a series of medical office buildings developed in the area by French. The region has become known as "the medical mile."

One proposal for the 42,700-square-foot facility, where the two buildings would be connected by a large atrium, calls for making it the home of a surgical center, but that would also require the blessing of the Rhode Island Department of Health.

The developer is tentatively due back before the Planning Board for a Master Plan hearing on Sept. 16 and it is scheduled to come before the Zoning Board of Review on Sept. 22.

Previous plans for the property, including using it for a Marriott Residence Inn, a fence company, a church and a non-medical office park, never reached fruition.

gemery@projo.com / (401)277-7442

 Tags  development East Greenwich RI

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