Feds looking to unload a RI lighthouse, but not to just anyone. Here's what it takes to qualify

WARWICK − The Warwick Neck Lighthouse is being offered for free by the federal government to local nonprofits, the state or the City of Warwick.

The U.S. General Services Administration listed a notice of availability on May 15 for the lighthouse, the single-family keeper's house and the 0.8 acres of land at the tip of Warwick Point.

While the lighthouse may be free, the new owner has to follow rules about public access and public use. Letters of interest by qualified buyers are due July 14.

Is the Warwick Neck lighthouse for sale?

The lighthouse is not, technically, for sale.

While 10 lighthouses across the country are being disposed of by the U.S. General Services Administration, six of them, including the Warwick lighthouse, are being offered for free to nonprofits, "educational agencies," local and state governments and "community development organizations."

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"These entities must be financially able to maintain the historic light station, and make the station available for education, park, recreation, cultural or historic preservation purposes for the public at reasonable times and under reasonable conditions," according to a news release from the General Services Administration.

If no group applies by the July 14 deadline or the General Services Administration rejects the applications, the lighthouse and 0.8 acres of property will go to a public auction.

Of the 10 lighthouses being disposed of, four are being sold at auction.

What is the history of the Warwick Neck lighthouse?

The lighthouse site is 196 years old, but the lighthouse is much younger.

The original lighthouse was built in 1826, an 18-foot clapboarded tower that rose from the center of a one-story stone lightkeeper's house, according to the 1988 National Register of Historic Places entry for the lighthouse. The design was unusual because at the top, the four corners were cut back to form an octagon that housed the lantern.

In 1889, $8,000 was appropriated to build a new keeper's house because the old one was in poor condition.

The original tower and dwelling were torn down in 1932 and replaced with the current tower, similar to the "caisson type tower" lighthouses at Conimcut, Hog Island Shoal, Plum Beach and Sakonnet. The tower, built in 1932, was the last "traditional" lighthouse built in Rhode Island.

In 1939, the lighthouse was moved 50 feet north, away from the shoreline, to its current position and placed on an 8-foot concrete base after the Hurricane of 1938 undermined its foundation.

What happens to the lighthouse when it gets a new owner?

The light part of the lighthouse, referred to as "aids to navigation" in federal documents, will remain the property of the U.S. Coast Guard. It is a "rhythmic green light" that flashes every four seconds, visible for 12 nautical miles, according to the Notice of Availability.

The lighthouse would continue to operate, including its foghorn, which blasts once every 15 seconds for 45 minutes when turned on, with a range of a quarter mile. It is remotely operated.

The lighthouse was automated in 1985.

What was the lighthouse being used for?

The house on the property was once used as housing for Coast Guard personnel, according to the website lighthousefriends.com, but is currently vacant, according to the government listing.

The single-family house has a basement, a detached garage and a storage shed.

What is the timeline for new ownership?

The deadline for letters of interest is July 14, 2023, followed by an appointment to inspect the property. Completed applications are then due within 90 days of the inspection, and afterward, the National Park Service will review the applications and make recommendations to the General Service Administration.

If no group applies by the July 14, 2023 deadline or the General Services Administration rejects the applications, the lighthouse and 0.8 acres of property will go to a pubic auction.

Check the General Services Administration's website for more lighthouse listings.

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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@providencejournal.com or follow him on Twitter @WheelerReporter.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Federal government is giving away the Warwick Neck Lighthouse