Home Economy Government Newport City Council to vet settlement claim with RIDOT over land acquisition

Newport City Council to vet settlement claim with RIDOT over land acquisition

By

Christopher Allen

-

08/28/2024

Pell-Bridge-ramp — THE NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY will decide whether to approve a proposed settlement with the R.I. Department of Transportation over its claim it was underpaid for land assumed by the state as part of the $85.5 million realignment of the Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

NEWPORT – The Newport City Council on Wednesday will meet in executive session to discuss a potential vote to approve an financial settlement with the R.I. Department of Transportation over a claim it was underpaid for land condemned by the state in 2021 as part of the $85.5 million realignment of the Newport Claiborne Pell

Already a Subscriber? Log in

To Continue Reading This Article

Become a Providence Business News subscriber and get immediate access to all of our premier content and much more.

Learn More and Become a Subscriber

Critical RI business news and analysis updated daily.
1 year of print (26 issues).
Unlimited access to all subscriber only content on our website, on any device.
Free email alerts.
Annual Book of Lists Print Edition.
All special issues produced during subscription term.

Click Here to purchase a paywall bypass link for this article

PBN Branded Content

GYN Health Through the Years: Why Open Conversations Matter at Every Stage of Life

Women’s health is not static. It evolves with us—through our teens, childbearing years, midlife, menopause,…

Learn More

No posts to display

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

NEWPORT – The Newport City Council on Wednesday will meet in executive session to discuss a potential vote to approve an financial settlement with the R.I. Department of Transportation over a claim it was underpaid for land condemned by the state in 2021 as part of the $85.5 million realignment of the Newport Claiborne Pell Bridge. The project, scheduled to be completed in the fall, includes a new ramp system meant to reduce vehicle congestion on the bridge toward the downtown exit, improve connectivity between the city's North End, and free up approximately 25 acres of land for future development. According to the draft agreement submitted by City Manager Colin Kennedy and Assistant City Solicitor Girard Galvin, RIDOT claimed a fair market value assessment of $514,315 for the more than 100,000 square feet of land in dispute, which includes Columbus Way and parts of Halsey Street. However, a valuation later conducted by the city increased that value by $230,000. The city filed suit in 2022, resting its claim on a stipulation in the original condemnation which reserved the city's right to challenge the initial payment amount in R.I. Superior Court within one year. Subsequent negotiations resulted in the parties agreeing to a $125,000 increase, bringing the final dollar amount to $639,315. The settlement requires approval by the council and the signature of Newport Mayor Xaykham “Xay” Khamsyvoravong, who on Wednesday referred all questions to the administration. Though RIDOT initially disputed Newport’s claim, “both have agreed it is in the best interests to settle their disputes prior to incurring costs of litigation,” according to the council action item, which requires RIDOT to transfer the $125,000 within thirty days of signing. City Hall spokesperson Thomas Shevlin confirmed the city council plans to take up the proposed settlement in private session before the regularly scheduled meeting, but added that it is up to the council over whether to move the action to a floor vote. Christopher Allen is a PBN staff writer. You may contact him at Allen@PBN.com