PROVIDENCE — Based upon Recommendations made by an internal Property Utilization Committee that has concluded a yearlong review of several properties, the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of Providence, today announced that seven diocesan properties will be offered for sale.
The primary purpose for the sale of these properties is to establish an endowment for ongoing maintenance at other diocesan properties. It will also provide funds to reduce lines of credit held by the diocese. Listing firms have been instructed that potential buyers must agree that future use of the properties will not contradict Catholic Church teachings.
Of the seven parcels, there are three significant properties including the Cluny Sisters Convent and Provincial House in Newport, Our Lady of Peace Spiritual Center in Narragansett, and undeveloped acreage in the vicinity of Dunn’s Corner in Westerly. Four additional smaller properties will also be offered for sale.
“After thorough study, it was concluded that these properties would no longer be used for ministry purposes,” said Bishop Tobin. “Many diocesan ministries and agencies that serve the local community are housed in structures in need of repair. Portions of the proceeds from the sale of these properties will enable us to address concerns at other ministries so that they may continue to effectively serve those in need.”
Our Lady of Peace Spiritual Center was established as a retreat center in 1950 and was closed in October 2006. Prior to closure, a report of repair and upgrade work needed for maintenance and code compliance was performed. The report identified over $3.5 million in needed repairs and fire code upgrades to keep the facility operating safely. The 38 acre parcel located at 333 Ocean Road, Narragansett, includes six buildings that were used for residential, recreational and meeting needs. The retreat center provided dormitory-style sleeping accommodations for 55 participants and complete kitchen and dining facilities for on-site food service, to accommodate a staff of cooks, housekeepers as well as religious and lay leaders to direct retreat workshops. This property will be listed through Meredith and Grew, a Boston-based commercial real estate firm. This particular firm was retained by the diocese to evaluate its major properties and assess their market value.
The diocese will also offer some undeveloped acreage it owns at the corner of Dunn’s Corner/ Bradford and Moorehouse Roads in Westerly. Meredith and Grew will also list this property.
Four remaining properties will also be offered including the former Carter Day Care building in Providence, St. Anthony House in Providence, and land in West Warwick and West Greenwich.
Bishop Tobin appointed 16 individuals to a Property Utilization Committee he established for the purpose of reviewing the use and value of existing diocesan properties. Individuals were chosen to serve on this committee based upon their legal, real estate or knowledge of the properties under review.
The committee requested proposals from 14 different real estate firms to study the Cluny, Dunn’s Corner and Our Lady of Peace properties. Three responded. After an interview with the three firms, Meredith and Grew of Boston was selected as the firm to perform the study as it was concluded that this firm was best positioned to comprehend the potential market for the properties.
The members of the Property Utilization Committee include: Rev. Raymond B. Bastia, Vicar for Planning & Financial Services, Diocese of Providence; Rev. Msgr. Paul D. Theroux, Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia, Diocese of Providence; Michael Sabatino, Chief Financial Officer, Diocese of Providence; Carol Ann Nelson, Director of Facilities, Diocese of Providence; Rev. Msgr. William J .McCaffrey, pastor, St. Margaret Parish; James M. Sloan III, Esq., real estate attorney, Gardner Sawyer Gates & Sloan; Edward Broderick, construction business manager, Gilbane Development Company; Brenna Jordan, Esq., real estate attorney, CVS Corporate Headquarters; Robert B. Loiselle, Maurice R. Loiselle Insurance Agency, member of the Diocesan Stewardship Board & owner of Real Estate Co.; David Prengaman, architect, Vision III Architects; Rev. Robert F. Hawkins, pastor, St. Luke Parish; Rev. Roger A. Houle, pastor, St. Joseph Parish; Mercy Sister Mary Patricia Murphy; Dr. David Beaudoin, Secretary for Education, Spiritual Formation & Evangelization, Diocese of Providence; John J. Barry III, Secretary for Social Ministry, Diocese of Providence.
Bishop Tobin informed priests about the study at regional meetings held throughout the diocese in June. In addition to the review by the Property Utilization Committee, the proposal to sell the properties was also reviewed by the Diocesan Finance Council as well as other Diocesan consulters.
“I would like to thank the members of the Property Utilization Committee for their assistance in Dealing with the difficult task of assessing the current and future use of our properties,” said Bishop Tobin.
“Thanks to their work, we can shed excess property that is no longer used for diocesan ministry and raise critical resources to strengthen our other ministries that make such a tremendous impact throughout Rhode Island.
“The process of assessing our properties is an on-going effort to ensure that our material resources are effectively supporting the spiritual mission of the Church,” added Bishop Tobin. “With little financial resources and many properties, we must make often difficult decisions to provide adequate funding to ensure the continued operations of the diocese now and for future generations.”
