Bernon & Narragansett Mills
Woonsocket, Rhode Island

[ photograph by Taintor & Associates Inc. ]

Two historic mill complexes on the Blackstone River are in the process of being redeveloped into housing. Together the projects will add up to 56 upscale apartments to Woonsocket’s housing stock, and both promise to bolster the City’s effort to transform the area into an active, mixed-use area as called for in its Riverfront Revitalization master plan.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1833 Bernon Mill complex is notable for its Greek Revival style and fieldstone and granite construction, distinct from the red brick mills that predominate the Valley’s riverfront. Currently home to an industrial machine shop, a wood working shop, and a telecommunications business, the property's final sale and rehabilitation awaits the results of an assessment of environmental contamination. Owner of Future Com, Steve Lima plans to exercise his option to buy the property and envisions converting the mills into a 42 unit “gated community.”

Further along in the development process, the Narragansett Knitting Mill complex is undergoing conversion into 26 units, and is expected to be completed by the start of 2003. Also on the National Register, the project to convert this clapboarded complex into “RiverView Condominiums” is spearheaded by local developers James Alarie and George Blacksmith.

Contact:

Keith Brynes, City Planner
401.767.9237

"Mill to Condo Project Ahead of Schedule," Woonsocket Call, 7/28/02

"More Development Planned," Woonsocket Call, 3/31/02

"Luxury Apartments Planned for Narragansett Knitting Mill," Woonsocket Call 2/17/02