Here’s some good news sailing into the West Bay. It is the arrival of NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer, which is planned to dock on October 17th at Quonset Point. Pier One in Davisville will be the home port for the research vessel for at least the next ten years. The ship is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s joint effort with URI’s Inner Space Center and other centers, like the Institute for Exploration (IFE) in Mystic, CT, throughout the US to explore the depths of the ocean. URI’s future Telecommunications Center, positions this area as a leader in developing in scientific and technological advancements. The satellite communications will enable information and research to be accessible to an expansive group of people. Scientists and the university population that will be able to participate in this new interesting exploration as the ship explores many different areas.

This is the start of a new frontier for Rhode Island based exploration and culminates the work over the past decade by Senator Jack Reed. Saturday’s expected docking is the first time the ship will nestle up to its home port. Work on this area employed several folks over the past years and has brought several full time jobs to the area.

According to NOAA’s site, “Okeanos Explorer, “America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration,” is on a course to be the only U.S. ship assigned to systematically explore our largely unknown ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge. Telepresence, using real-time broadband satellite communications, will connect the ship and its discoveries, live with audiences ashore. Visit the NOAA Marine Operations Center Okeanos Explorer page for the latest operations and crew information.”

This area of Narragansett Bay has continually been making efforts to be on the cutting edge of marine and aquatic research and technology, proving that there is more to the Ocean State than just beaches and surfing. We should keep an eye out for more of these developments with the Inner Space Center as it paints a new light on the area. This should make Narragansett Bay even more of a destination than it was before.

Our Cumberland office recently underwent a service upgrade for internet. In the process of this effort, we’ve discovered that the house (that is our office) was formerly the home of Ray Mullin, owner of Ray Mullin Music. His popular store was founded in 1929 and originally headquartered in Pawtucket next to the LeRoy Theater. In fact, there was a tunnel between the theater and the music store, so when big acts performed, they could sneak out through this passage. Sandy Soares got her first guitar (a Les Paul) from Ray Mullins and Debby Smith used to babysit his grandchildren. Today, both the Pawtucket store and the LeRoy Theater are gone; the Company has relocated to Swansea.

This got us thinking. Time works differently in Rhode Island. Instead of living by that clock thing hanging on the wall, nostalgia seems to be the dominant rhythm of life here. While new construction may change the terrain, the Rhode Island conscious is embedded in the past. Just ask a true Rhode Islander for directions. Instead of street names, they will most likely be given by landmark. And usually this landmark will be outdated, like where the old I-195 used to be. With this trait in mind, we’ve created a list of some famous Rhode Island Used-To-Be’s that are important to our culture.

If you live in the Ocean State and are over the age of 20, there’s a really good chance you have some childhood memory of Rocky Point Amusement Park. This Warwick Park, established in 1847, grew quickly in popularity, and from the 1850’s through the 1980’s it was the most popular attraction in New England. Tom Flanagan remembers spending Saturdays there, full of laughter and cotton candy. The park closed in 1995 and was demolished in 2007. The town of Warwick is currently looking to make the land into a public park.

Much like Rocky Point, Crescent Park in East Providence (named for the crescent shape of the Riverside beach) was renowned in its time. Founded in 1886 by George Boyden, the venue was known as the “Coney Island of the East”, with hot air balloons and extravagant carousels providing the Park’s main attractions. Tom Flanagan also remembers the delicious candy apples he enjoyed here (there is a theme here with Tom about amusement venues). The park closed in 1979, and the surrounding area was developed. The only remnant of these sweet roots is the Crescent Park Carousel, which remains open to this day.

Today, The Towers set the backdrop to the Narragansett social scene, but they once provided entrance to the Narragansett Pier Casino, another source of turn-of-the-century entertainment. The Casino was completed in 1886 and provided a refuge for the areas social elite, offering a variety of recreational opportunities, such as boating, tennis, billiards, bowling, cards, and shooting. The venue also had restaurants, stores, reading rooms, a theater, a bandstand, a ballroom, and a beautiful beach. While Residential Properties Ltd. has been around for a long time (this year is our 30th anniversery!), none of us were there to enjoy the pleasures of The Casino, since the building burned down in 1900. However, locals like Anita Langer cherish The Towers for uniting a community with their granite walls.

Our final used to be is much less romantic, but is a part of Rhode Island history none-the-less. In the 1980s, Providence was included in the Guinness Book of World Record for holding the distinction of World’s Widest Bridge. Known as the Crawford Street Bridge at 1,147 feet, the structure grew when several normal sized bridges were covered with decking and turned into a parking lot. Oh yeah, this monstrosity was located across the Providence River. Ed Hardy remembers thinking this bridge was gross in his youth. This monstrosity has since been dismantled; the river has been moved; Waterfire caldrons line the center of where the bridge was; and the whole transformation turned the area into an asthetically pleasing area. While this demolition was integral in developing our Capital Center, we just couldn’t let you erase this Used-To-Be from your memory. So, remember, you can get to the downtown area from the East Side by crossing over the river where the world’s widest bridge was.

Admittedly, we’ve left out numerous landmarks that could be used for directions, so you can expect another Used-To-Be compilation in the near future.

The 4th of July is the unofficial kickoff to the summer in New England. While some of our celebrations have historical significance, most people look for the annual fireworks displays to cap off the day. You’ve most likely got the cookouts covered, but if you’re looking for the “rocket’s red glare and bombs bursting in air” to schedule around the hot-dogs, we’ve compiled a list of the locations throughout Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts lighting up the sky. Here’s what we have.

View 4th of July Fireworks in a larger map

This week on my radio show, Rich and Steve are in the studio with Elizabeth Messier, Director of the Residential Properties Ltd. Corporate Services and Relocation Department. Moving can often be a daunting task, and the client services provided by our Relocation Team can help make your move much less stressful.

Our Relocation Professionals are licensed, non-selling real estate agents who assist individuals and corporations move to or from Rhode Island. Besides working with your company’s relocation package, the department can connect you to one of our preferred mortgage professionals, arrange a community tour, and inform you about our rentals and temporary housing options. This team knows more than just houses; they will assist you with every aspect of your move, from finding a new pediatrician to choosing the right home and neighborhood.

As a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, our relocation team has the connections to acquaint you with the top professionals anywhere in the world.  So, if you are leaving our state, let us coordinate the introduction to those agencies in the area to where you are moving, whether that is across the country, to a nearby state, or internationally.

We also highlighted a wonderful property listed by Bettina Monaco in West Warwick. Located in the desirable Greenbush area, this raised ranch is a must see. Located off a quiet, winding road this home has two full levels of living and provides easy access to local shopping and entertainment. The upstairs features a very open floor plan while the downstairs would make an exceptionable in-law sweet or home office. Those who love summer entertaining will make great use of the two spacious decks, which provide a haven on a warm summer evening.

If you would like more information on this property, the home will be open to the public on Sunday, May 1 from 2:00-3:30PM.