The Quonset Point—Davisville Port Project, North Kingstown Rhode Island—A Unique Public Process to Develop a Private Container Port on a Former Military Facility

With the closure of the of two Naval facilities in southern Rhode Island the State Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) had proposed the development of a new port project to stimulate economic growth and provide job opportunities in the region. RIEDC conducted a number of planning efforts to evaluate the best cargo types for the port and then selected a port developer to carry the project forward using private financing. The agreement with the developer provided for a series of milestones that had to be met as part of the contract process. The first major hurdle was to develop a Port Development Plan that would discuss financing, cargo opportunities, and alternative designs for the port. As part of the Port Development Plan, the developer agreed to participate in a public stakeholders process that would incorporate the input of the many divergent interests in the State. The Governor appointed 69 members to the Stakeholders Group, including the regulatory agencies that would oversee the permitting of the project. The developer was asked to work with the group to reach a consensus on what should be build at the port.