‘Medical tourism’ project has 1st approval

By John Howell
Posted 9/22/16

There seemed to be no end to the superlatives as the City Council gave first passage to a $33-million project to build a medical facility designed to bring patients to Rhode Island, provide the procedures they need, and have them leave in

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‘Medical tourism’ project has 1st approval

Posted

There seemed to be no end to the superlatives as the City Council gave first passage to a $33-million project to build a medical facility designed to bring patients to Rhode Island, provide the procedures they need, and have them leave in three to four days.

“This is absolutely exciting,” Ward 3 Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson said. “I see high-paid jobs. I see tax revenues.”

Ward 4 Councilman Joseph Solomon called the design of the development at the Crowne Plaza site “magnificent.” And Councilwoman Kathleen Usler, whose ward would be home for the project, supported it on the basis of the jobs it could bring and the chance for young Rhode Islanders to stay in the state rather than be forced to leave because they can’t find the work they want.

The plan, advanced by Carpionato Properties under the corporate name of Warwick Hotel Associates, has been talked about for better than a year. It was the subject of a community meeting in April, and soon thereafter gained approval from the Zoning Board of Review. But then, with reports that a deal with the primary tenant had fallen through, everything cooled off.

The name of that prospective tenant, which would occupy a freestanding 35,000-square-foot building between the Crowne Plaza and Greenwich Avenue, was not released at Monday’s public hearing.

K. Joseph Shekarchi, attorney for Carpionato, said the agreement hasn’t been finalized and the name would not be disclosed until it is. But secrets are hard to keep, and ever since Rep. Joseph McNamara advanced the concept of a medical tourism project, the Laser Spine Institute keeps popping up. The company, with outlets in other parts of the country, specializes in back procedures.

McNamara opened the door to the development with legislation that exempts medical operations from a host of reviews and regulations by the state Department of Health, provided 51 percent of their clientele are from out of state.

Warwick, with its nexus of the airport, a train station and highways, was a natural choice for an industry looking to serve people from outside the state. In addition, the city has the state’s greatest concentration of hotel rooms.

Kelly Coates, executive vice president for Carpionato who made Monday’s presentation with Shekarchi, also pointed to the proximity of hospitals and colleges and universities.

Making the plan viable, Carpionato will buy more than six acres of state land that already looks to be part of the Crowne property. The land has been maintained by Carpionato for years. An off-ramp from the eastbound lane of Route 113 would feed directly into the medical office complex and hotel, thereby reducing traffic on Greenwich Avenue. In addition to the main medical building, Carpionato would erect two office/retail buildings with a total of 86,000 square feet along Greenwich Avenue and a six-story, 100-room addition to the hotel, giving it a total of 366 rooms.

Shekarchi estimated the development would generate about $1 million in taxes and an untold number of new jobs.

Earlier estimates put the cost of the development at $48 million.

Shekarchi explained Wednesday that the $33 million estimate given the council was “conservative” and based on today’s cost of construction. He said construction is projected to start next March.

He said the $48 million estimate is probably more realistic as, “we’re not going to build it out today, but over years.”

One family living on Chapmans Avenue across from the hotel called the proposal “too grand.” Wendy Feinstein wanted eight-foot fences on the residential side of Greenwich Avenue to shield the development from Greenwood. She also suggested plantings and other means to shield the residential neighborhood from lighting. Shekarchi said Carpionato has agreed to provide landscaping for the non-commercial properties on Greenwich Avenue and that all lighting will be compliant with city regulations.

At the request initiated by Ward 8 Councilman Joseph Gallucci, the council agreed that second passage, which usually is a month following first passage, be delayed until November. Gallucci is looking for Carpionato to clean up a site opposite the Stop & Shop and Lowe’s plaza on Greenwich Avenue.

General business zoning of the property was granted by eight votes, with Solomon abstaining.

Comments

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  • richardcorrente

    For decades I have admired the ultra-quality of the Carpionato projects, from his many apartment houses to the Crowne Plaza. This newest project will be a great benefit to the City of Warwick both in terms of the services it brings and the tax revenue it will create. Warwick needs many more projects like this one but this is a great start. Many congratulations to all involved especially Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkenson, Councilman Joe Gallucci, State Rep Joe McNamara, and Attorney Joe Shekarchi.

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Thursday, September 22, 2016 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    The previous comment by a candidate for mayor of Warwick completely ignores the work done by municipal officials on a project of this magnitude before it reaches the city council for approval. This candidate goes out of his way to credit the councilors with voting for the project while pointedly avoiding the congratulations that the mayor and the city's staff should get for the research and interactions with the developer that led up to the first council vote on the project.

    Please join me and the thousands of Warwick voters who know the real work that goes into economic development, and who will reject this candidate on Nov. 8.

    Thursday, September 22, 2016 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear CrickeeRaven,

    You even criticize me for paying a complement. Re-read my comments. I congratulate and praise. You condemn and criticize.

    Sad. Maybe that is why you hide behind a fake name.

    Richard Corrente

    Endorsed Democrat for Mayor

    Thursday, September 22, 2016 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Once again, a candidate for mayor insists on standards of use for this website that he has no authority to impose or enforce, and uses those imaginary standards to insult other users. He also seems to believe that "congratulations to all involved" is the same as individually crediting the city economic development and planning staff and the current mayor, without whom this plan would not have been brought to the council.

    It is also curious that he does not acknowledge how this potential development would increase the robust business sector in Warwick, which he has incorrectly claimed has lost several thousands businesses, and never admitted to the fraudulence of his claim: http://warwickpost.com/numbers-game-corrente-claims-of-lost-businesses-dont-add-up/

    Please join me and the thousands of Warwick voters who appreciate the city's efforts to attract new business and who will reject this candidate on Nov. 8.

    Friday, September 23, 2016 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Rick, I think the point CrickeeRaven was (correctly) making is that you get very specific when you want to attack the mayor. However, when you pay a "compliment" towards him (if ever) it is very general and vague.

    I have asked you how you will cut taxes while you are also creating very generous programs with high upfront costs. One side of your mouth talks about liabilities and the city going bankrupt, the other side is wrongly telling seniors and veterans you will pay 50% of their car taxes. Just printing "cut taxes" on a sign won't make it happen.

    I have also asked you about the costs of some of your policy proposals. You continue to say that you cannot tell me the costs because it is a moving target. Fine, I then asked for estimates and your response was that you will not give them to me, because I will "pick them apart". Welcome to running for office Rick. Maybe you've skated by on "cut taxes, cut spending", but if all you can say is "look at my website" well then TRUST ME Rick, the answers are not there.

    The truth is you will NOT be able to cut taxes in office. The city simply doesn't have the revenue to pay 50% of seniors and vets car taxes or freeze permit fees. Nor does it have the money to offer rebates to new homeowners or businesses. Plus, a pension buyout proposal you haven't given a single specific about yet. Add all of that up and I don't see how you think you'll be able to cut taxes. Either give the specifics, or stop being dishonest with the voters.

    Friday, September 23, 2016 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hello again Scal1024:

    Yes, that was exactly my point, that this candidate never hesitates to post attacks against the current mayor on this site with specifics [although, as we have seen, nearly all of these attacks are false when held to the barest scrutiny] and then demands credit for making vague congratulatory statements that he insists include the mayor only after other users call him to account.

    And thank you again for reminding readers of how thoroughly this candidate has refused to answer your very reasonable questions about how he might pay for these tax giveaways that are such a major part of his campaign. As a close reader of this site, you have seen his complete refusal to answer for the previous false statements he made about his property assessments and the state of Warwick's business sector.

    I am sure you also recall how he has repeatedly claimed the city is in dire financial shape [yet another fraudulent claim, as the Beacon proved recently] while at the same time proposing steps that would further erode the city's revenue, and never acknowledging the contradiction in these ideas, except to further claim that he would somehow magically attract new taxpayers quickly enough to cover the shortfall.

    I am reminded of a saying by the late Roy Rogers. who said: "If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

    Thank you for joining me and the thousands of voters in Warwick who will reject this candidate on Nov. 8.

    Saturday, September 24, 2016 Report this