Published 13 years ago, updated 6 years ago

Read the full story at Cruising Compass

Anyone planning to cruise in Newport, RI this summer (perhaps for the America’s Cup World Series, Newport to Bermuda Race, Folk Festival, or one of the many, many other events) will want to make sure they check out the City of Newport’s new Maritime Center that is scheduled to open in late May.

Located in the historic Newport Armory, the $1.46 million facilities is owned by the City of Newport and the project has been in the planning stages since 2008. Designed for transient boaters, the aim is to provide all the necessary amenities visitors require to make their stay in the harbor an enjoyable experience.

The Armory, erected by the State of Rhode Island to house R.I. Militia in 1884, is located at 365 Thames Street, in the heart of the Harbor and waterfront business district. The Maritime Center project, designed by Torrado Architects, has rehabilitated 8,000 square feet of the building, creating a public boating facility with entrances at Thames Street and the public Ann Street Pier.

Facilities will include storage lockers, restrooms and showers, laundry, vending machines, a lounge with charts and internet access, a concierge/information desk, and office space for the facilities manager, and display cases for local attractions’ brochures. The adjacent Ann Street Pier offers public dockage for vessels up to 40 feet, a dinghy dock, pump-out facility, trash disposal and stops for the Harbor Shuttle.

www.newportmaritimecenter.com