Today, the sign on the old Narragansett Brewery Warehouse on Cranston Street says “Case and Brewery Supply Storage.” Soon it will read “American Broadband, Inc.” American Broadband last week announced it will headquarter its Rhode Island operations in Cranston, in the former warehouse (and before that, a trolley barn) that has sat idle for nearly 20 years since the brewery closed its doors in 1981.
The Burlington, Massachusetts-based broadband provider will occupy some 85,000 square feet of the building, which will house the company’s main office and Rhode Island calling center, a warehouse, and a “head end” facility which will house the electronic heart of its broadband network.
Rhode Island's Market Has Changed. Developers, Builders, Investors and Sellers Must Change With It.
By Emilio DiSpirito IV License Partner | Engel & Völkers Oceanside Leader | The DiSpirito…
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American Broadband intends to build a $170 million network in 20 cities and towns across the state to provide broadband cable, Internet and local and long-distance phone services to customers, thus establishing the first real competitor for Cox Communications. Currently, Cox has a 97 percent market share of Rhode Island homes with cable television.
“It’s a huge development for us in the sense that we have this very large, architecturally important building that we’re able to save,” said Kevin McAllister, president of the Cranston City Council. “The whole area has fallen into disuse, and has definitely had an adverse affect on the area and its quality of life.”
Joseph Paolino, Jr., owner of Paolino Properties, who is developing the space, said American Broadband will use about a third of the space in the remodeled trolley barn, leaving 100,000 to 150,000 square feet unoccupied. Paolino hopes to attract other telecom companies to the area.
“We are now creating a new gateway to Cranston Street,” he said. “When I was a kid, it was a vital area. Over the years, it’s become somewhat tired. That building has been a great home to Rhode Island’s pigeons – American Broadband literally saved the old trolley barn.”
Paolino estimated that the restoration to the property will cost anywhere from $10 to $15 million. Completion of work at the trolley barn is predicted for the spring of 2001.
“This is the largest single private development project taking place in Rhode Island this year,” he said.
John Toic, director of the Cranston Economic Development Corporation, said he expects the groundbreaking for Lowe’s and Super Stop & Shop – which will be located across the street from the warehouse, at the site of the former brewery building – to take place in the next couple of weeks, and for construction to begin in the next 60 days.
“They’re going to try to do as much site work there before the winter as possible,” Toic said.
Toic said he hopes the brewery redevelopment project will act as the catalyst for economic redevelopment to its Arlington neighborhood area, attracting more merchants, creating more jobs and increasing property values.
“That brewery was the largest private employer in the state when the plant closed down,” Toic said.
Numerous attempts to develop the property fell through. The huge, derelict buildings proved obstacles to developers, Toic said, and were finally demolished in 1998.
“In the time period since that brewery was closed, it[the neighborhood] has declined both in population and property value,” Toic said. “We’re looking to turn that around. We’re very excited about it. We’re not just looking at a specific building, we’re looking at an entire neighborhood. I think it’s not only a big win for Cranston, but for the entire state and region.”
Last month, American Broadband was granted a certificate of compliance by the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities (RIDPU).
