The 7-day service would be the first time the two cities are connected by scheduled ferry service since 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Could the long-vacant former Shooters nightclub property be the key to making Providence-to-Newport ferry service finally work?

Rhode Island officials think so and are searching for a company to run seven-day-a-week ferries from the waterfront site on India Point to Perotti Park in Newport starting July 1.

It would be the first time the two cities are connected by scheduled ferry service since 2009, when the Rhode Island Public Transit Agency canceled its seasonal route after $575,000 in annual federal grant money dried up.

That ferry disembarked at Providence Piers on Allens Avenue, farther from downtown than India Point.

This latest shot at Narragansett Bay ferry service, which would run until Labor Day, will also place a greater focus on leisure travelers where the previous ferry service was oriented more toward commuters.

"The service we envision will have a robust schedule for both the casual summer visitor and for commuters. This is much different than the previous service that was concentrated just on commuters," said DOT Spokesman Charles St. Martin in a statement. "Additionally, the [request for proposals] places the responsibility of developing a successful ferry program on the companies submitting the proposals."

According to the request for proposals, the ferry would have to run, at minimum, between 10 a.m. and midnight.

It sets a maximum ticket price of $35, but asks bidders to propose fares and offer ridership projections under each ticket-price scenario.

The ferry will have to have a minimum trip frequency during rush hour of a boat every 90 minutes and during off-peak times of one every three hours.

The operator would be responsible for providing the ferries themselves and marketing the service.

As for what kind of subsidy the operator might get from the state, that too will be part of the bids.

The request for proposals said a barge might be attached to the Shooters wharf for the ferry to dock.

In its 10-year plan, the DOT has set aside $500,000 for the year that ends June 30 for a variety of transit projects including ferry service, and $1 million in subsequent years.

Along with giving people a traffic and parking-free route to Newport, ferries could provide some return on the state's investment in the former Shooters site, which the state purchased for $3.2 million without an identified use after a voter referendum in 2010.

After a proposal to build a concert venue on the property failed to draw financing, last year state officials began talks with culinary advocate David Dadekian about building a public food market there.

Dadekian said Tuesday that he is excited about the possibility of a ferry depositing passengers right outside the door of the food market, should it come together, although he is not counting on marine traffic in the market's business model.

"I think it is a great idea," Dadekian said. "I don’t think it will affect our venue either way, but it will bring more traffic."

Dadekian said he has agreed on the parameters of a lease agreement for the Shooters property with the state Department of Environmental Management, which owns it, but is waiting to secure financing to sign it. Although he said he is very optimistic on securing necessary capital, he could not put a timeline on when the project might move forward.

panderson@providencejournal.com

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