“Policing” Big River
News flash for anyone not paying attention. The governer and State Police received an initial approval from the Water Resources Board to build 18 acres in Big River as a new State Police headquarters. Now, I genuinely feel that having a law enforcement presence in Big River is a good thing, but - we can’t ride on or maintain the trails because, why?
Long term use of the area is still up in the air, but all the signs from the state seem to be pointing toward a well field instead of a future reservoir. They’ve given up some significant chunks to development (the Amgen lot and the Cardi road for example). After all the work I can’t believe the plan is still to flood the place. Maybe having the State Police on the edge of a reservoir would be considered a good thing. Anyway, you can read the story on Channel 10’s site.
UPDATE Thought you’d like to know what nearby residents and towns are saying. Here are a couple of articles run in the Kent County Times and The Coventry Courrier. Gives an interesting light on what may be about to transpire - the best point I’ve heard is “what happens when they set the precedent to build?” There is already a road. How many other 18 acre chunks will go back to be developed, and where will Coventry get their water from?
Upated Update Listening to a state senator - missed his name. Their proposed site to build will be at exit 7. On the other side of 95 from BJ’s and next to the Mobile station. It’s the abandoned gravel pit sitting on the NE corner of Big River.
June 16th, 2005 at 1:24 pm
It’s a little creepy when an area designated for drinking water (via wells) and open space is parcelled out. Then again we are talking about 18 acres in an 8600 acre management area. The precedent has already been set with AMGEN and CARDI, and the State Police are just that, the State Police. That said I can’t imagine this isn’t going to happen. IF the state decides to start selling lots off to the highest bidder for housing or something, even under the premise of trying to address affordable housing, that’s another thing altogether. I understand the viewpoint of GrowSmart RI, and in an ideal world BR would be left untouched. If anything another exemption like this one bolsters our case to gain access to BR, and to be able to ride and contribute to BR legally. Also, emergency services that close to an 8600 acre management area may not be a bad thing for users. Put in perspective it’s not like they’re proposing to build a Mall Wart or a water park or anything like that. Ultimately I don’t want it in there, but it’s not the worst thing in the world either, as long as it doesn’t set off a cavalcade of building in BR. Accordong to the Channel 10 poll those in favor of building it have a nice lead over those against (of course all this tells us is that people who bothered to view the survey while goofing off at work in the middle of the day are for the police station - and who trusts their judgement anyway? Get back to work hippies!!). Speaking of working I’ve gotta go….