Meeting center eyed for N.K. elementary school

NORTH KINGSTOWN – The developer of the Hotel Providence has entered into an agreement to turn an empty elementary school into a conference and event center and boutique hotel.
Stanley Weiss Associates LLC, has signed an agreement with North Kingstown officials for a six-month option to buy the Wickford Elementary School for $1.1 million, contingent upon the developer’s ability to obtain local permits for the project.
Town officials hope the redevelopment will boost tourism in Wickford Village and North Kingstown, noting in a release that the site is within walking distance to downtown.
The developer plans to outfit the facility with state-of-the-art digital meeting and breakout rooms to help attract business clients. Between 30 and 40 hotel rooms are planned.
The town said the front façade of the school will remain unchanged, helping the project to qualify for Federal Historic Tax Credits, and also noted in a release that the property falls under the jurisdiction of the Rhode Island Economic Development Committee’s Main Street program. •

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