The Town is committed to finding ways we can support affordable housing initiatives within our community. As part of these initiatives, Town Staff has been directed by the Town Council to evaluate the feasibility of building affordable housing at publicly owned properties that are currently vacant and/or underutilized. There are three (3) such properties currently under consideration which include (1) the former South Road Elementary School; (2) the former Wakefield Elementary School; and (3) the Oliver Watson House in West Kingston.
As part of this effort, the Town has hired the architectural firm Union Studios to assist staff in evaluating these properties. Community Input Sessions were held for each of the subject properties to gauge public input on the use of these properties for affordable housing:
- South Road Elementary School - The Community Input Session for South Road School was held on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 6-8pm at the South Road School building. The video of this meeting can be found here: https://youtu.be/KL_drnaZN-U?si=NbDb1zd3eGCTTO66. Slides that were shared and discussed with attendees during this session can be found here: https://www.southkingstownri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16641/24_0822-SAH-SouthRdPresentation-Rev.
- Wakefield Elementary School - The Community Input Session for Wakefield Elementary School was held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 6-8pm at South Kingstown Town Hall. The video of this meeting can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y65dFSG07s4&t=3163s. Slides that were shared and discussed with attendees during this session can be found here: https://www.southkingstownri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16640/24_0829-SAH-WakefieldPresentation.
- Oliver Watson House - The Community Input Session for the Oliver Watson House was held Thursday, September 5, 2024 from 6-8pm at South Kingstown Town Hall. The video of this meeting can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/tjfxSYxQB8s?si=ha51qWHbFGF93xgj. Slides will be posted when they are available.
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