[DEM-Coastal] Lighthouse inn Property

[DEM-Coastal]

What's next for the Lighthouse Inn property?

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Dear Rhode Islander,

If you've been to the Port of Galilee recently, you've seen - right on Great Island Road, across the street from the Block Island Ferry - workers and heavy machinery demolishing the former Lighthouse Inn. In fact, as of today, the building no longer stands, demolition debris has been hauled away, and the lot is empty.

The purpose of this message, which is going to the fishing fleet and shoreside businesses of Galilee, is to inform you of the Department of Environmental Management's plan for this property.

DEM will install a greenscaped area along with a few picnic tables, benches, and fencing. This will replace gray asphalt and become an area where visitors to Galilee and passengers waiting to board the ferry can meet, hang out, and relax. At the same time, we will provide room for about 40 parking spaces. We will reserve about 20 parking spaces for the use of Galilee berth holders in the local commercial fishing industry. The remaining 20 spaces will be for full-time Block Island residents who must sail over to the mainland for a recurring reason (e.g., jobs, medical appointments). We appreciate that parking in Galilee is tight and we hope these extra spots will help.

Throughout the long process that resulted in the demolition of the old Lighthouse Inn, DEM was very clear about our No. 1 priority: supporting the commercial fishing industry. We remain clear. Our fisheries sustain Rhode Island - as a source of food, income, and employment. In Galilee, we balance the interests of commercial fishing and for-hire fisheries, and businesses that support the commercial fishing industry. By supporting the fishing industry, we also support consumers. As a state agency, we aim to help the commercial fishing industry provide a stable supply of fresh, healthy, and locally caught seafood.

For these reasons and with the support of Rhode Island taxpayers, DEM continues to invest in modernizing the port. We are now well into the third phase of a multi-year, $45 million investment with work aimed at protecting against the effects of sea level rise and enhancing safety and security throughout the port. Large-scale projects underway include replacing 1,000 feet of steel bulkhead, removing and replacing heavy-duty docks for large commercial vessels, strengthening and rehabilitating other docks to enhance safety and use, and raising the height of the bulkhead and docks to combat sea level rise and protect against storm surge.

In short, we're doing everything we can to protect the commercial and for-hire fishing industries in the port and enhance the infrastructure of the port so that it remains a vibrant working waterfront. Periodically, we will keep you updated on our progress.


Daniel Costa
State Ports Manager
RI Department of Environmental Management



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