Hazard Castle site in Narragansett, RI, subject of new interest
Providence Journal, April 25, 2010 by Christine Dunn, Journal Staff Writer
NARRAGANSETT--Two different plans to reuse Hazard Castle on Ocean Road have emerged from individuals hoping to raise money to buy and preserve the property.
The Diocese of Providence acquired the property in 1951 and operated the Our Lady of Peace Spiritual Life Center on the estate for many years, but closed the center and put the property up for sale in 2007. The asking price is $7 million.
According to John Shaw, an accountant who is on the board of directors of the Friends of Hazard Castle — a local group that has recently incorporated as a nonprofit — they want to see the historic buildings, trees and plantings on the property preserved.
Shaw, who also has a business stringing tennis racquets, is individually seeking support for a plan to repurpose the castle as an inn and wedding/convention center, and to build tennis and squash sports facility on the property.
His vision includes networking with local universities to include career training in hospitality and science programs at the site.
But Wakefield resident Marjorie Albright is leading an effort to turn the castle into a health and wellness facility, to be named the Ark of Life Retreat Center.
Albright, who said she is a native of Narragansett, said she works in home care and is interested in running a nonprofit, non-denominational center to promote physical and spiritual well-being.
Both Shaw and Albright said their plans are contingent on their ability to win donations from local citizens, and Albright said a group she leads is applying for grants from charitable organizations.
Even if her group is not successful in buying the castle property, Albright said, they are committed to opening an Ark of Life center in another location.
The Hazard Castle property, owned by the Diocese of Providence, is on more than 34 acres, with 1,400 feet of frontage on exclusive Ocean Road.
The stone castle alone has more than 10,000 square feet of space.
But even as Shaw and Albright were organizing two separate meetings last week to publicly discuss their plans for the property, rumors were swirling in town that a third party might sweep in and buy it.
“An offer was made on the property; however, it was far below market value, even in this challenged economy. The Diocese has made a counteroffer and is awaiting a response from the potential buyer,” reported Michael Guilfoyle, spokesman for the Diocese of Providence, on April 20.
Shaw said he has heard that this is the first time the Diocese has responded to any proposal with a counter.
Albright said she had heard that 13 different proposals to buy the Hazard Castle site were rejected by the Diocese when the property was listed with a Boston agency. Today Rhode Island-based Lila Delman Real Estate has the listing.
John Hodnett, principal broker with Lila Delman Real Estate, said he could not comment on any pending negotiations. But Hazard Castle “is still on the market,” he said.
Hazard Castle is within the Ocean Road Historic District — a National Register of Historic Places designation. But last year, the Town of Narragansett created four local historic districts to add a layer of local government protection to historic properties in town.
One of the four districts includes most of the National Register’s Ocean Road Historic District, including Hazard Castle, according to the town’s community development director, Michael DeLuca.
Hazard Castle is a Gothic Revival landmark built around 1882 for Joseph Peace Hazard, a member of the family that founded the Peace Dale Manufacturing Co., a textile mill in South Kingstown.
In the 1870s, the Hazard family brought railroad service to Peace Dale to assist their business, and to the family’s seaside property in Narragansett.
The access afforded by the railroad helped spur the development of resort hotels in the Narragansett Pier area and the private mansions on Ocean Road.
Providence Journal, April 25, 2010 by Christine Dunn, Journal Staff Writer |
