Crumbling Matunuck seawall to be rebuilt

June 15, 2016 7:06 pm

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A crumbling seawall off the coast of Matunuck is getting a multi-million dollar makeover.

Kevin Finnegan, who owns the Ocean Mist, has been leading the years-long charge.

On Tuesday, a state Coastal Council gave Finnegan the go-ahead to rebuild the wall, after his prior proposals missed the mark.

"It’s 100 percent good for the people, the taxpayers and myself, So it’s a good thing," Finnegan told ABC6 News.

Residents are also on the same page. More than 14,000 people signed a petition to help preserve the coastline by maintaining the seawall.

Finnegan has offered to pay for the roughly $2-million project. He’s working with the town, which owns the land.

"We think it’s a win-win," explained Town Manager Stephen Alfred.

Alfred and Finnegan now coming together, after Finnegan had unsuccessfully sued the town over plans to build a steel wall – paid for by a grant – to help protect Matunuck Beach Road from erosion, arguing his business may literally crumble if the original seawall wasn’t fixed.

"We could not look at minimizing health and safety issues and attempting to protect private property," Alfred said.

Both walls will be built, though Finnegan still has to go through some more logistical hurdles before his plan can move forward.