Following a tumultuous history of proposed projects and community pushback, the owner of a popular recreation spot in Cranston are considering residential development on the 55-acre property.

The city’s Planning Department has scheduled a workshop on March 4 to hear from the public and discuss the redevelopment proposal for Mulligan’s Island.

Acting City Planner Beth Ashman said no formal plans have been submitted to the city, but said the owner has floated the idea of a residential project and wants to hear input on single-family homes and multi-family units.

The land, owned by Michael Friedman, has been the focus of proposed but elusive developments over the last two decades.

In 2007, a commercial project with two large retailers was planned but did not materialize. Then in 2020, a shopping plaza was planned, with Costco named as an anchor.

Four years ago, Friedman said the decision to move on from Mulligan’s grew from several factors.

He cited increasing costs, including taxes, maintenance and utilities, and shrinking revenue.

“Shrinking returns make it nearly unworkable to afford to reinvest in the facility to keep it updated with the latest equipment and technology,” Friedman said. “Our experience is not unique; countless golf and entertainment facilities have been closing at a rapid pace for redevelopment across the country.”

Almost two years ago, New England welcomed its first Top Golf sports and golf entertainment facility in Cranston – off Route 37, just about seven minutes away from Mulligan’s Island.

Friedman said the Top Golf facility’s arrival was not an original motivating factor for the sale of Mulligan’s Island.

He told the Herald in 2020 that the pending development of Top Golf brought a lot of urgency and was just the “icing on the cake.”

The property was once an undeveloped, state-owned cornfield. It is governed by Mixed Use Planned District zoning that was implemented in the late 1990s specifically for the Mulligan’s Island project.

Any development moving forward will need City Council approval because of that special zoning, Ashman said.

The 12-acre ribbon of land along the access road to the property – currently in use as a par-3 golf course – is state owned and would not be part of any development, she said.

The workshop will be jointly held by City Council and the City Plan Commission to discuss the redevelopment proposal for Mulligan’s Island and hear public comment it.

Ashman encourages residents to share their comments and thoughts on the project in the upcoming workshop.

The Planning Department will also take written comments if people wish to participate in that way. Just email planning@cranstonrr.org.

The public workshop will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4 at Cranston High School East.