Garden City’s King of the Mountain: Residents Wait for WS Development to Be a Better Neighbor

The Cranston Public Works Committee reviewed concerns about large stockpiles of dirt, asphalt and concrete from Garden City Center, including on Midway Road, behind Old Navy and near the former Applebee’s location.

Hannah McCallum, speaking on behalf of the shopping center, said the Midway Road dirt pile would be removed entirely, a process expected to take a few weeks, but material at the other two locations will remain for use as backfill for “several months,” extending into and beyond the new year.

Asked about soil testing to determine toxicity of the material, McCallum said she would contact the general contractor and follow up with Council President Wall. She also acknowledged problems with the coverings over the piles and said those would be addressed within a day or so. Committee members referred to the plastic sheets that have been put on top of the piles as nothing more than “shower curtain” material – nothing heavy enough to stay in place.

Some residents on Poplar Drive and Juniper have complained about rats in their yards. Those complaints add to neighbors’ concerns, although a connection between the stockpiles and the reported rodent activity has not been established. WS Development says they are maintaining an aggressive weekly rodent control program.

One woman who testified questioned if children could try to walk up the piles, playing “king of the mountain” as children might do and be subject to an avalanche, a particularly stunning thought.

On October 20, Cranston Director of Constituent Affairs Gina Capuano that half of the Midway Road construction dirt pile would be gone by the end of that week. The material was to be used as fill for excavation between J. Jill and the former Nike by Cranston store, part of Phase VII of the center’s development plan.

During the committee meeting, council members also questioned representatives of the city’s Inspection Department. Councilwoman Graziano requested the specific permits. A department spokesperson said the work was fully permitted and referred to the developer’s aggressive construction schedule. The department also said each pile must be tested before material can be removed. WS Development said it had obtained all necessary approvals.

The committee meeting recording, included below, provides the full discussion which included testimony by members of the Garden City Alliance and others.

For nearby residents answers are said to be insufficient and stalling in nature. Hearings, permits and promises should lead to clear deadlines, adequate coverings and accountability when requirements are not met. If permits have been violated, fines should be assessed as normally are done with environmental infractions, if found to be happening.

It was noted that the area where Newport Creamery used to be is where the Cranston Coal Mine was located so the content of the soil could contain toxic material.

On Thursday afternoon, workers were observed climbing the piles and re-placing heavy chunks of asphalt on the thin plastic sheeting that was blowing in the wind as rain began to fall.  Whether the sheeting will be replaced with something more industrial is unclear.

A full day of heavy rain is expected today and while environmental booms surround the piles, runoff is altogether possible.

WS Development owns many shopping centers similar to Garden City – their website is: https://www.wsdevelopment.com/

Here is the video of the Public Works Committee: