New RI State Police Barracks In East Greenwich Could Dodge Polls

East Greenwich RI

09 June, 2021

11:34 AM

Description

EAST GREENWICH, RI — Gov. Dan McKee no longer intends to ask voters to approve financing for the $28 million project to construct a new State Police Southern Barracks in East Greenwich, according to a budget amendment released Friday. The new building would be located off of Route 95 and replace the Wickford and Hope Valley barracks. This is a slightly smaller proposal than that of former Gov. Gina Raimondo, which would have consolidated three barracks, including the Portsmouth barracks that may now undergo a $1.65 million renovation. According to the amendment, McKee's request to remove the project from next year's polls is being made due to the unlikelihood that the new barracks could be financed with stimulus funds. "This project accelerates the timeline for this investment, which the Governor's original request had planned to be considered for general obligation debt financing by voters in a November 2022 referendum," says the amendment. McKee's financing plan needs General Assembly authorization and would cost $34.7 million, which includes an interest rate of 2.75%, repaid over 15 years.