Newport City Council Votes 4-3 To Sell Armory Condo

NEWPORT, RI — The city council on Wednesday voted 4-3 to approve a purchase and sale agreement, clearing the way for the Sailing Hall of Fame to acquire much of the Armory for $1.685 million. The deal calls for the Sailing Hall of Fame to maintain public access to restrooms, and for the City to continue public access to the waterfront and dock. But details are not yet in writing. The Sailing Hall of Fame is to use the property as a museum.

Mayor Harry Winthrop, and councilors Lynn Ceglie, Marco Camacho and Jeanne-Marie Napolitano voted in favor of the sale. Councilors Kathryn Leonard, Jamie Bova and Susan Taylor were opposed. The next step is the production of the condo declaration. The council will vote on the declaration in the fall. The Sailing Hall of Fame will take over much of the space, if it can come up with the funds, and the antiques dealers, who have been leasing the property, will be displaced. The antiques dealers have said they will lose their livelihood and have objected to the sale.

Click here for the meeting video.