Question 7: $4 million for Fort Adams

Fort Adams State Park in Newport boasts a long list of superlatives. It attracts more than a half million visitors annually. It hosts the famed jazz and folk concerts. Its athletic fields include some of the best rugby pitches in the country. And the fortress itself is the largest and most complex in North America.

Taxpayers next month are being asked to approve a $4-million investment in the park’s infrastructure. Half the money is targeted for restoring part of the historic fort; the other half is for a new building that would provide restrooms and meeting space for people using the fields and the docks nearby.

The bond sale was requested by two Democratic Newport legislators, Sen. M. Teresa Paiva Weed and Rep. Paul W. Crowley, who have been working for years to restore the fort and the park.

Even though the fort is a state park, the state partners with several nonprofit groups that also raise money for maintenance and restoration work. The groups include Sail Newport, Shake a Leg, the Museum of Yachting, the Eisenhower House and the Fort Adams Trust, which provides guided tours of the fort and has raised $5 million for renovations.

“Fort Adams is a very big and very complicated fort,” says Eric Hertfelder, executive director of the trust. “It’s also the crown jewel of the park.”

The fort is so big, Hertfelder said, that experts don’t think there will ever be enough public money to restore it. That’s why the work is being done in phases and a wide range of fund sources is being solicited.

The state provided $3 million from the $70-million open space and recreation bond issue approved by voters in 2004. Previously, it also provided some historic preservation funds. Hertfelder said preserving the fort is essential to having the park flourish as a top tourist attraction.

“It really is an important investment because if the fort were allowed to run down, you’d have a hard time attracting the jazz and folk festivals and all the other activities that occur there,” Hertfelder said.

Tourism is a top priority to the state, said Paiva Weed, and that is why it is important to invest in the park. Before the restoration work of the last several years, the fort was dilapidated and considered unsafe. Now, increasing portions are being opened to the public.

“So many people have taken one of those tours,” said Paiva Weed. “And now we’re hearing from veterans who are proud of what we are doing. They look over from the bridge and see the lights and they say it’s emotional.”

Crowley said the three soccer fields have been touted by experts as some of the best rugby pitches on the East Coast. Regional and national matches have been held there. But every time, portable toilets have to be brought in.

Crowley said park officials hope to build a brick building that will be similar in appearance to all the historic structures in the park. It could be used by sports teams, the various sailing associations and special groups.

Crowley paints a picture of international television crews filming rugby matches with beautiful Newport Harbor as a backdrop. What could be better for tourism?

When interest and expenses are factored in, the total cost of the bonds is expected to be nearly $7 million. For more information about the fort, go to www.fortadams.org or www.riparks.com/fortadamshistory.htm.