Posted inEducation, Housing, Local, South County Bureau

URI plans more student housing. Can that help the housing crunch in South County?

As interest in attending the University of Rhode Island continues to grow, the state’s flagship university said Wednesday it plans to build more student housing. URI plans to lease state land on the Kingston campus to a private developer, which would then build and operate student housing on the land, the university said in a […]

Posted inLocal, Politics

Voter Voices: ‘I don’t feel like the government cares about my voice’

Anthony D’Ellena, 20, of Narragansett is a former town council candidate and political science student at Roger Williams University. He’s currently taking a year off school to run the election campaign for Republican Patricia Morgan, who is competing against incumbent Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Here’s what he had to say about what’s motivating him to […]

Posted inEnvironment, Local, South County Bureau

Contested beach parking restrictions in Narragansett aren’t going up anytime soon

The Rhode Island State Traffic Commission has put off a decision on Narragansett’s plans to place parking restrictions along two state roads used by many visitors to Narragansett Town Beach in the summer months. Commissioners said Wednesday they want more time to investigate potential safety hazards posed by timed parking restrictions.  In June, the town […]

Posted inHealth, Housing, The Weekly Catch

An app for addiction treatment, Narragansett’s affordable housing problem, and more

Rhode Island has one of the nation’s highest rates of overdose deaths involving cocaine, a problem the state is trying to address with a new smartphone app. But is it reaching those most in need? Also, the town of Narragansett has one of the lowest percentages of affordable housing in the state. We hear about some steps taken earlier this week by the town council intended to address the housing shortfall. And RISD is celebrating its second Black Biennial. We’ll hear from the co-curator who is seeking to break down the walls between the institution and the surrounding community. Plus: the week in politics, and a few things to do this week.

Posted inArticle, Housing, Local, South County Bureau

Narragansett Town Council holds off on affordable housing vote after heated exchanges at Monday night’s meeting

The Narragansett Town Council held off on taking action Monday night on a resolution seeking the General Assembly’s authorization to ask voters whether to approve the issuance of $3 million in bonds for affordable housing development in the town. The council failed to take a vote after three councilors, Ewa Dzwierzynski, Jill Lawler, and Steven […]

Posted inArticle, Housing, Local, South County Bureau

Report finds URI is contributing to Narragansett’s housing crisis

A new report commissioned by the town of Narragansett says University of Rhode Island students living off-campus have significantly altered the town’s housing market, leading to a “symbiotic relationship” between the university and private landlords at the expense of other renters.  According to the study by the Burlington, Vermont-based group Crane Associates, URI has benefited […]

Posted inHousing, Local, South County Bureau

New RI housing laws go into effect January 1. Will they help fix the affordable housing crisis?

Narragansett resident Rupert Friday wants people to know he’s not a snob, and he’s not a one-percenter who wants to fight affordable housing development. He’s retired from a career in land use planning and the nonprofit sector – a background he draws on as a member of the town planning board. His wife is a […]

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