What's next for the Carmelite monastery? Barrington looks to plan for senior 'cottages'

Wheeler Cowperthwaite, Providence Journal
Updated ·3 min read

BARRINGTON − What will become of the former Carmelite monastery in Barrington? That question has bedeviled the town since it bought the property in 2021, with a stipulation that the building not be demolished.

The Town Council voted earlier this month to authorize Town Manager Phil Hervey to issue a request for proposals for 25 Watson Ave. to create a "pocket neighborhood" of 12 age-restricted houses to be built then sold, and to sell off six lots big enough for single-family homes.

Those 10 to 12 "cottages" for people 55 and older would be sold, and at least five would have deed restrictions limiting their purchase to people who make under 80% of the area median income.

According to past plans drafted by the town, the number of units has been severely reduced, down from a proposed 36 units.

This rendering shows what the former Carmelite monastery property on Watson Avenue would look like if plans for senior housing are approved.
This rendering shows what the former Carmelite monastery property on Watson Avenue would look like if plans for senior housing are approved.

Town working with consultants to draft plan

In commentary on the Jan. 8 agenda, Hervey wrote that town officials have been working with consultants to draft plans for the request for proposals, including proposed renderings and layouts, buffers, building footprints, walkways and example floor plans.

Hervey wrote that officials are aiming to make a recommendation on developers to the Town Council by April and authorize the town to enter a purchase and sales agreement.

A deadline for responses could be set as early as Feb. 27. The request for proposals published on Friday.

Page 2 of RFP_25 Watson Avenue ver0124024_CLEAN

Page 2 of RFP_25 Watson Avenue ver0124024_CLEAN
Page 2 of RFP_25 Watson Avenue ver0124024_CLEAN

Contributed to DocumentCloud by Wheeler Cowperthwaite (The Providence Journal) • View document or read text

Will the monastery be torn down?

Selling the lots to a developer would require a vote at the Financial Town Meeting, set for May 22. Efforts to allow for the demolition of the former monastery, a squat brick building in the shape of a cross, would also have to go in front of the Financial Town Meeting.

The vote to purchase the property in 2021, which included a stipulation that the monastery not be demolished, succeeded by one vote, 176 to 175. In a town of 17,113 (with 13,203 registered voters), 2% of the population decided the fate of the property.

A vote at the May 2022 Financial Town Meeting to permit demolition of the monastery failed on a voice vote.

Here are the options: Keeping Barrington's Carmelite monastery in housing project too expensive.

What is the project timeline?

The proposed timeline in the draft request for proposals goes through August.

  • March: Selection of a developer.

  • April: Town Council would approve a development plan and the Barrington Planning Board would begin drafting new zoning rules for the area.

  • May: Financial Town Meeting would vote on selling the lots and possibly demolishing the monastery.

  • June to September: The town would work on rezoning efforts and in July, the Town Council would consider approving the purchase and sale agreement, followed by its execution in August.

  • August (or later): A master plan application for the development would be submitted.

Neighbors object to a park that would bring in people

According to an April 2023 presentation for a planning workshop, neighbors complained about the number of units and small lot sizes and said that putting a park in the space would create an "attractive nuisance."

Planners came back with proposals to limit a park to a "visual amenity," with no gathering space and "no public parking that would encourage beach access."

While Watson Avenue ends in a public right of way to the beach, street parking is banned on the street and on all the surrounding streets, making the beach access much more exclusive.

The Carmelite order's monastery building in Barrington.
The Carmelite order's monastery building in Barrington.

Prior plans called for more density

The latest plans call for a much lower density on the parcel than originally imagined. Prior plans called for 44 units, mostly to recoup the cost of development when the parcels would be income-restricted.

Those plans also called for the demolition of the monastery.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Providence Journal subscription. Here's our latest offer.

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

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Barrington looks for developer to turn former monastery into senior housing