John Shaw sits on the board of directors for Friends of Hazard Castle, a neighborhood organization forming a 501(c)3 nonprofit with the goal to redevelop Hazard Castle in Narragansett. The Archdiocese of Providence put the oceanfront home on the market in 2007, asking $7 million for the Gothic Revival landmark.
Shaw recently took some time to speak with Providence Business News about the future of the building and its grounds.
PBN: Can you tell us a little about the Friends vision for Hazard Castle?
SHAW: Narragansett currently has a shortage of hotel and lodging accommodations. Our vision is a respectful reuse of the property, staying in line with the historic nature of this rare ocean-view property. Weddings, conventions, botanical gardens, theater and the arts, a learning center for culinary, life sciences, business, economics, fitness and wellness, re-creation of the Pier Casino outdoor tennis facility, and the potential for an indoor tennis, squash and fitness center tucked away at the back of the property.
We hope to create a venue that draws year-round tourism and corporate business to Narragansett and all of Rhode Island. We have so many great ideas to expand upon once we are able to secure the property, there are just too many to list in this article.
We incorporated as a nonprofit so we could actively raise the money necessary to purchase and preserve Hazard Castle and the botanical grounds for future generations. Hazard Castle is one of two historic buildings on Preserve Rhode Island’s Preservation Watch List. Our mission statement and detailed vision can be found at our website.
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PBN: What needs to be done to accomplish that vision? How much money would you need?
SHAW: The property, better known as Our Lady of Peace, is currently owned by the Archdiocese and is listed at $7 million. The property has been vacant for at least three years and is by no means a turn-key operation. The castle, the 105-foot tower and the botanical grounds, including a beech tree grove, all need a lot of T.L.C.
Considering the money that is needed to restore the property to its former glory, the asking price is unreasonable for any sensible business person. Even for a for-profit business the numbers just don’t make sense. A historical preservation project for the property to be preserved for the community and open to the public as a museum and botanical gardens makes perfect sense.
During Phase I we need to raise $7 million to $11 million. This would include an agreeable purchase price, the preservation of the 105-foot tower, the main castle and the beginning of development of select areas of the property – the majority of the property will be preserved as open space – to create a self-sustaining revenue stream. We estimate that Phase II will require an additional $29 million. Total project cost over a five-year period would be $40 million. Think of the jobs created.
PBN: There have been other proposals for the castle as well. How does the Friends proposal fit into those?
SHAW: We are aware that there are other groups and individuals interested in this magnificent property. We have had open conversations with many interested parties. Any concept which embraces the preservation of the castle, the tower and the grounds is a good beginning.
Developing a self-sustaining property, which will remain open for both public and private use, complement local businesses and be respectful of its Ocean Road neighbors, will be a challenge for anyone interested in the property. At this time there is only one concept or proposal that has been presented to the Board of Directors. The vision mentioned above is my original vision for Hazard Castle. However, it is posted on our website, and we are seeking public input and other conceptual ideas for consideration. There is a deadline for proposal submittals of June 30. There is a nominal $25 administrative to submit your proposal. Who knows, in the end the project could be enhanced by two or three solid visions for success.
PBN: I understand you founded the Friends. What sparked your interest in the castle?
SHAW: I am glad you asked that question, so I can clarify any misconceptions. I, John Shaw, am not a founding member of Friends of Hazard Castle. Friends of Hazard were founded by a group of concerned Ocean Road residents. The loosely organized grassroots “neighborhood watch group” Friends of Hazard Castle was organized to ensure a developer or private buyer could not come in and just knock down the castle.
As a neighborhood watch group, Friends of Hazard Castle was successful in gaining historic districting for this section of Ocean Road and it began to raise awareness of the property. I believed they formed in late 2006.
I was first referred to [local resident] Robert O’Neill in early 2007 by a family friend who introduced O’Neill as the spokesperson the FOHC. During the next three years I consistently kept in touch with O’Neill with regards to castle activity. Around November 2009 I heard of another unknown group approaching Ocean Road residents with regards to the Our Lady of Peace property. I immediately went into high gear and had a conceptual site map drawn up, which had been loosely discussed since early 2007.
After our first public presentation of my concept for the Hazard Castle property at The Towers on Feb. 27, 2010, we began discussion about incorporating as a nonprofit and forming a board of directors. So, on March 17, 2010, Friends of Hazard Castle transitioned from a grassroots neighborhood watch group to a nonprofit organization.
We are in the application process for our 501(c)3 status, which will be retroactive to March 17 once approved.
What first attracted me to the castle was the unknown (or little known), the history and the possibilities for the amazing piece of real estate. What was I thinking, this is way out of my league, but I had a vision. At the time there was a grassroots group trying to build an indoor tennis facility and I thought, ‘Hmmm, 38.25 acres, community interest in preservation, the need for a local indoor racquet sports facility and my background in hospitality.’
I have my bachelor’s degree from Johnson & Wales University in hotel, restaurant and convention planning, my associate’s in food and beverage management, and I also have a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Rhode Island.
Sandy Sweet, director of South County Community Tennis Association, also has a hospitality degree from JWU. Sandy was instrumental in creating an interest for a local indoor tennis facility. Sandy is now on the board of directors for FOHC. Hospitality, weddings, conventions and a large group excited about tennis. Why not a New England Spa & Resort? It’s a perfect fit.
PBN: Why a road race? I might have suggested a jousting tournament instead.
SHAW: You never know, the possibilities are endless with a property with this much character. I’ll get back to you on the jousting tournament. The board of directors discussed a number of ideas for fundraising events. What makes a fundraiser successful? People, lots of people.
A wine tasting alone is fun, but limited in attendance. A tennis tournament is planned for August, but not a real large attendance. A cycling race is planned for October. Timing is everything.
As a local runner I am constantly training for The Blessing of the Fleet 10-mile Road Race. The Blessing attracts 3,200-plus runners and walkers. There are hundreds of 5K road races every weekend. Why not something different? A 7-mile run and walk to warm-up before the Blessing.
We may not get 3,200 people our first year (expect 250 – 300), but if this becomes an annual event, we can be just as big. We have also incorporated a kid’s 1-mile section of the course to truly make this a family event. Miss Rhode Island Kristina Primavera will be riding in the pace car provided by Paul Masse. Katie Mae Sullivan will be singing the “Star Spangled Banner” prior to the start. A beer- and wine-tasting fundraiser for adults will be hosted by the Coast Guard House at 8 p.m.
This sounds like a terrific and important historic preservation/community development project. I hope that they get some folks with real fundraising experience involved – and soon. You’re never going to raise that kind of money with events – no matter how many people attend!
And FYI – professional fundraisers are paid a fee for their services, they do NOT take a % of funds raised! To do so is to act outside of the ethical guidelines as noted by the International Association of Fundraising Professionals (www.afpnet.org), and others! (Recall that recent story about the “professional” fundraiser that stole $$ from a private school in MA? I don’t know what made him “professional’ other than his own statements that he was. NO news story ever mentioned any professional memberships or certifications.)