Scott Avedisian, Mayor of Warwick

The Warwick planning board recently granted master plan approval to a proposed development project, on more than 23 acres adjacent to the Rte. 95 corridor, which would support the state’s medical tourism industry, expand an existing hotel and permit construction of two freestanding buildings for office and retail uses. All told, the proposal is projected to create 600 permanent full and part-time jobs and increase annual tax revenue by nearly $1.5 million.

In 2014, the state general assembly passed the “Access to Medical Technology Innovation Act,” which supports medical tourism to create jobs and bolster the economy in a variety of industries, including medical, restaurants, hotels, and tourism. Qualified healthcare facilities must certify that more than 50% of its patients reside outside of the state. Warwick Hotel Associates, owner of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, plans to build a new, free-standing, 35,000 s/f medical facility, which is projected to create 357 jobs – between 50 and 60 on site, and the rest in indirect jobs in hospitality, medical and support services, caregivers, and local vendors, created to support the facility’s use.

The developer also plans to build two additional free-standing buildings, totaling 86,000 s/f, for mixed office and retail use, and to expand the existing hotel by 100 rooms, to a total of 366 – all of which would support the medical tourism facility – on its existing property.

The proposal will require an amendment to a 1979 municipal ordinance that established uses for the property as well as a zone change for a 6.34-acre parcel that the developer has acquired from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and proposes to incorporate into the development parcel. The zone change and ordinance amendment will soon be heard and voted upon by the Warwick city council.

This proposed development signals a continued investment in our community by a well established Rhode Island company. I look forward to sharing updates on the progress of this project and others that will soon be underway in our community. If you would like information about how Warwick can help your company to grow and succeed here, please contact Karen Jedson, director of tourism, culture, and development, at [email protected].

Scott Avedisian is the mayor of Warwick and the chairman of the RIPTA board of directors.