While the state hasn’t determined whether it will offer ferry service next year and there isn’t a dock for it to use, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution Monday calling for Rocky Point to become a port of call on ferry service between Providence and Newport.

Introduced by Ward 4 Councilman Joseph Solomon and Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur, the resolution was news to the state Department of Transportation. But as DOT spokesman Charles St. Martin pointed out in a call Tuesday, it’s likely to be favorably looked upon by DOT Director Peter Alviti. In an interview with the Beacon this summer, Alviti pointed to the success of the ferry service between the capital city and Newport, suggesting it could be expanded to include stops on shoreline communities including Bristol, Wickford, and Rocky Point.

“This is a strong building block for us. It fits with the [city] comprehensive plan,” Ladouceur said during the intergovernmental committee review of the resolution.

Ladouceur said he believes ferry service from Rocky Point is “important for the future of the city.”

Asked later if he thought ferry service might generate undue traffic on Warwick Neck, Ladouceur reasoned it wouldn’t be excessive and could be easily accommodated. Traffic was also on the mind of Roy Dempsey, who regularly attends council meetings. He questioned where people using the ferry would park.

The answer was provided by Solomon, who said parking would be closer to the water than the lot at the end of Rocky Point Avenue.

That has been talked about for some time. Department of Public Works Director David Picozzi reported the plan is to grind up the asphalt lot that was once part of parking for the Palladium, using the material for a crushed stone lot that would be defined by a wooden guardrail perimeter. Picozzi expects the work to be done this year, along with a walking and bike path that would make a loop with the existing shoreline walk on city property. He said access to the parking lot would be from the former park exit on Palmer Avenue and would be open on a regular basis. It would be gated at night.

Lisa Primiano with the Department of Environmental Management said Wednesday that plans for a pier should be finalized next week and that they would be reviewed with the city. Remnants of the former pier would be removed and the new pier that is on the top of the DEM list of marine infrastructures and piers would be scheduled for the 2018 fiscal year.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it would be built, as that will depend on the cost and whether it fits within the $3.5 million marine infrastructure capital budget.

She said the department focus is on a low maintenance cost pier. She said it is being designed to accommodate a float that could be used by a ferry it would also have a small shelter at its end.

St. Martin said the DOT hasn’t determined yet whether to bring back the ferry that was largely underwritten by a federal grant this summer. He said 33,000 trips were made this summer. A trip is a one-way passage.

Should Rocky Point become a port of call, Solomon suggested the ferry might also provide access to Conimicut Light. The administration has sought to make the lighthouse accessible to the public and obtained a lease proposal from a man who would have converted the structure to a bed and breakfast allowing for public tours on a schedule. As Solomon had issues with the proposal, and assuming it would be voted down by the council, the administration withdrew the proposal.

“With Rocky Point a port of call we’ll be able to filter in some kind of lighthouse tours,” Solomon said.