The ownership status of Public Street, which intersects Allens Avenue south of Interstate 1-95, has long been muddied, leading private entities to encroach on what is one of the few shoreline access points on the city’s South Side.

At a June 29 meeting, the Right-of-Way Subcommittee clarified city ownership of the street and moved to reestablish coastal access at the site.

The terminus of the road represents a 40-foot right of way that has been fenced off in recent years by the owners of two private lots. The owners were given notice in November 2020 and the barriers to access were removed, according to special assistant attorney general Gregory Schultz who spoke on behalf of the attorney general’s office. Schultz said confusion over Public Street’s status was likely due to a clerical error on a prior deed transfer.

Jed Thorp, advocacy coordinator for Save The Bay, said the Providence-based nonprofit is supportive of a coastal access point for residents of an area “historically overburdened by various sources of pollution” and underserved in terms of waterfront access and usable outdoor spaces. Save The Bay was also committed, he said, to running shoreline cleanups to keep the area enjoyable into the future.