With spring finally upon us, Warwick is bustling with development projects throughout the city. Nowhere is this as evident as in historic Apponaug Village, where the next phase of the bypass project has begun. As work progresses each week, portions of this long-held vision become a visible reality.
At Apponaug four corners, just west of city hall, the demolition of a former gas station has been completed, and demolition of an adjacent building will soon take place, clearing the way for construction of a new Cumberland Farms. Two businesses - Piezoni's Pizza and the Gannon Sign Shop - which were housed in the second building awaiting demolition have relocated to the former Cumberland Farms location down the street, giving both companies more visibility and the ability to offer customers more convenient parking options.
On the newly-created parcel, Cumberland Farms will build a single-story, 4,513 s/f building, with architectural features in keeping with guidelines established for the historic neighborhood. The property will also include site walls that will surround the property to create a "street edge," and make it more pedestrian-friendly.
The project, which has received approval from the Historic District Commission and approval from the Warwick planning board, will complement ongoing efforts to make the neighborhood more pedestrian-friendly and improve access for cyclists. The building's appearance will also complement the aesthetics of the village, founded in 1696, which includes four churches, City Hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, a museum, library, ball fields, and post office, and a waterfront that's undergoing revitalization efforts.
Further, the Cumberland Farms project is expected to create 12 to 14 new full and part-time jobs and generate tax revenue of roughly $30,000 per year.
We are looking forward to watching construction progress and celebrating the grand opening of the newest addition to historic Apponaug.
Scott Avedisian is the mayor of Warwick and the chairman of the RIPTA board of directors.