CRANSTON — The pandemic has driven lots of companies into rough territory.

But the developer of a Topgolf facility proposed for parts of the former Citizens Bank headquarters property off Sockanosset Cross Road says the project is ready for the first tee.

The developer, Kelly A. Coates, said the proosal — part driving range, part entertainment complex — will proceed, undeterred by the pandemic.

It has its final permits and contractors will begin grading the Topgolf site in the late fall, said Coates, adding that the new facility will be ready for an opening in 2022.

“I think we see what Wall Street sees,” said Coates. “There’s a time when we’re not going to be under coronavirus.”

The Topgolf portion of a major redevelopment of the sprawling former bank headquarters at 100 Sockanosset Cross Road has secured all of the needed permits in recent months, he said.

“We’re gearing up,” Coates said.

The early site preparation, which will include tearing up parts of the former bank parking lot, will not interfere with the field hospital that arrived at the site this spring, Coates said.

The hospital was set up as an alternate medical facility to care for COVID-19 patients in the event of a surge in the novel coronavirus.

Of course, that temporary use was never envisioned as the developer and city officials envisioned the proposed redevelopment of the site, including construction of the first Topgolf facility in the Northeast.

The overall redevelopment plan does involve changes to the bank building. But Coates said his firm can pursue the site preparation for the project, without affecting the field hospital. The construction site will be kept separate from the hospital and work in the bank building will not begin until the state gets past the public health crisis, Coates said.

“We’ll work with the state however we can to help the state,” he said.

TO OUR READERS: This content is being provided for free as a public service during the coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for our daily or breaking newsletters to stay informed. Please support local journalism by
subscribing to The Providence Journal.

mreynold@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7490

On Twitter: @mrkrynlds