Addressing the short and long-term planning issues of the West Side of Aquidneck Island, the West Side Master Plan represents the collaborative effort of hundreds of Island residents and supporters. Under the auspices of the AIPC, members of the West Side Master Plan Task Force worked closely with Council members, municipal planners and local board members from the Island’s three communities, representatives from Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, Rhode Island Office of Statewide Planning, Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and the Newport County Chamber of Commerce to produce this comprehensive regional planning document, the first of its kind in the State of Rhode Island.

The project was funded through the assistance of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, who succeeded in securing a grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration to the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission.  The grant will close out in December of 2006.

The Master Plan was finalized and released to the public on November 28, 2005 with the participation and overwhelming support from the Congressional Delegation, the Governor of Rhode Island, state and local officials, and the public at large.  The AIPC is now working diligently to identify and secure funds for the implementation of projects identified in the plan recommendations.   

Recommendations of the West Side Master Plan include implementation strategies for reducing congestion on West Main Road, setting aside land for public access to Narragansett Bay, supporting marine-related business and development, creating safe bicycle paths and walking trails, developing an alternate travel route, and many additional planning ideas and tools throughout the 350-page report.