When a beloved historic landmark is lost, the rebuilding phase requires more than your average construction crew. You need the right people aligned around a shared purpose. Shepherd Strategies was proud to partner with The Haynes Group to help bring together key stakeholders from the State of Rhode Island and the Town of New Shoreham for the recent groundbreaking of the Harborside Inn on Block Island. This milestone marks the beginning of the end of a painful chapter for the island community, and the start of something worth celebrating.
The Harborside Inn has stood directly across from Block Island’s ferry docks since 1897, serving as the island’s unofficial welcoming committee. But in August 2023, a tragic fire destroyed the landmark and a piece of Rhode Island’s cultural and economic identity.
The Harborside Inn’s return is about restoring an anchor to Water Street, re-energizing local businesses, and welcoming travelers back to a place that has meant something to people for nearly 150 years. The inn’s anticipated reopening in summer 2027 gives the entire Block Island community something to build toward.
Projects of this complexity, involving private owners, town officials, and state stakeholders, require someone on the ground to build trust, ensure clear communication, and keep all parties aligned on a shared outcome. Shepherd Strategies handled that coordination. Through strategic relationship-building and focused stakeholder engagement, our team helped align town, state, and private interests to advance this project efficiently, turning vision into a groundbreaking moment. Alongside The Haynes Group’s exceptional construction management expertise, we ensured that the people who needed to be at the table were there, and that the path forward was clear.
This project is a clear example of what’s possible when experienced government relations professionals and top-tier builders collaborate with a community-centered purpose. It’s also a reminder that economic revitalization isn’t abstract. You can see it in a hotel that reopens, a ferry dock that buzzes with visitors again, and a local economy that comes back to life.
Congratulations to The Haynes Group team, the owners of the Harborside Inn, Town of New Shoreham officials, and all of the Rhode Island stakeholders who made this groundbreaking possible. Block Island is one step closer to welcoming guests back to this beloved landmark.
At Shepherd Strategies, we specialize in navigating complex regulatory and political environments to help clients achieve impactful outcomes, whether in economic development, healthcare technology, clean energy infrastructure, or community revitalization.
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