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Un4 & Community Revitglizgtion
BROWN FIELDS SUCCESS IN NEW ENGLAND
KNOWLES MILL
RICHMOND, RHODE ISLAND
Drivers for
Redevelopment:
As the location of
two of the earliest
known textile mills in
southern Rhode Island,
the Town of Richmond
lias a rich history
steeped in the textile
industry. Knowles
Mill, a fonner textile mill, became a blighting influence over
time and eventually vacant as the stmctures began to fall into
ruins. In an effort to maximize the potential of the property
due to its location along the Pawcatuck River and its historical
significance, RI DEM selected it for an enviromnental site
assessment.
Property History: Located on the Pawcatuck River in the
village of Sharmock at the Lower Falls Dam, the Knowles Mill
site was the location of tw o of the earliest known textile mills
in southern Rhode Island. Built in 1835, it was used for various
mill operations including grist, textile and woolen mills for
more than 100 years. The original structure burned down in
1850. but a second building was constructed on the site in 1885
so mill operations could continue. In the 1970s, the property
was used for dry storage and eventually abandoned. It was also
the location of a fierce battle in 1636 between the Narragansett
and Pequot Indians over fishing rights.
Project Results: Working in conjunction with the RI Historical
Preservation and Heritage Commission, the town decided to
redevelop the property into a historic interpretive park and canoe
portage and launch, which meet the safe river access needs of the
community; this plan includes a pedestrian footbridge extending
over the river that connects the villages of Sliannock and Columbia
Heights in the neighboring Town of Charlestown. Through
EPA Section 128(a) Grant funds, RI DEM conducted a Phase I
assessment on the property in 2006 revealing various contaminants
onsite. The second building became so dilapidated that it was
falling into a public road and was demolished in May 2006.
Expected to be complete in early 2008, the Phase II assessment
revealed the granite block foundation of the original building,
which in addition to a free standing chimney, will be preserved
as part of the historic park. Once cleanup funding is in place, the
property will undergo a combination of hot spot removal and
capping in preparation for redevelopment, which is expected to be
completed in September 2009.
Project Timeline
April 2006
Phase I Assessment Completed
May 2006
Mill Building Demolished
January 2008
Phase II Assessment Expected Completion
September 2009
Expected Project Completion
Property Details
Property Address:	5 Railroad Street, Richmond, RI 02875
Property Size:	Approximately 1 acre
Former Use:	Grist mill, textile mill,
other various mill operations, dry storage
Contaminants Found:	Other metal, PAHs, SVOCs
Proposed Use: Historic interpretive park; canoe portage and launch
Current Owner:	Broderick Macari c/o Tara International
Project Partners
Town of Richmond, Rhode Island Department of Environmental
Management (RI DEM), RI Historical Preservation and Heritage
Commission, and Tribal Preservation Office (TPO)
Funding Details
EPA Section 128(a) and Tribal Funding	$53,060
EPA TBA Funding	$43,220
Community Development Block Grant	$100,000
Project Highlights
Fostered successful coordination between RI DEM, the Town of
Richmond, the local SHPO and TPO due to historical and Native
American significance of the site
Preserved the mill's stone foundation and an existing marker
commemmorating the Native American significance of the site.
January 2008
Local Contact: Cynthia Gianfrancesco, RI DEM,
Office of Waste Management, (401) 222-4700 x 7126

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