Westerly — He's helped to finance numerous revitalization projects around town and preserved significant landmark properties, and now Charles M. "Chuck" Royce will be recognized for his good citizenship when he is feted as citizen of the year by the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce on June 15.

"I cannot imagine a citizen who has made a more significant and lasting contribution to the quality of life and the favorable national recognition of our community than Chuck Royce," said Lisa Konicki, executive director of the chamber, in a press release announcing the 2016 citizen of the year recipient.

"Mr. Royce has dedicated tremendous resources to historic preservation, downtown revitalization, open space, quality health care and more" said Angela Thoman, chamber president.

Royce, and his wife, Deborah, are longtime seasonal residents of Westerly, with a home in Watch Hill, according to the chamber's press release.

"Chuck is a mutual fund investor, philanthropist and a visionary who is passionate about improving the Westerly community," said the announcement statement. "He has demonstrated his generosity and his commitment to the town through spearheading downtown revitalization projects, supporting enhanced cultural amenities, working to create jobs and spur a robust economy, increasing access to higher education and encouraging aesthetic improvements. He has invested millions of dollars buying and redeveloping properties."

Royce is best known as the financial backer and visionary behind the Ocean House, the AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star seaside resort in Watch Hill, and the Weekapaug Inn off Spray Rock Road in the Weekapaug section of town.

But his imprint on the town and region is much greater than that.

According to the chamber, his first investment was the Weekapaug Inlet Candy Store. Once an old gas station that was later converted to a bait shop, Royce redeveloped the property and then later donated it to the Weekapaug Fire District. Then he purchased the Cooked Goose, which he now leases to restaurant owner Andrea Nathan and his wife, Jennifer Gibson. 

"His efforts to join an active group of preservationists and establish the Avondale Farm Preserve represents another lasting gift to this community," said the chamber. "Without that intervention, this precious parcel would have been developed into nearly 50 homes."

Royce’s first downtown purchase was 37 Main St., an office building that was converted into Three Fish Restaurant. Royce expanded the facility, created outdoor dining and increased parking and today leases the property to Bridge Restaurant.

His family foundation, the Royce Family Fund, financed the purchase of numerous other properties through The Westerly Land Trust, according to the chamber. 

"Together, they have adaptively re-used numerous commercial properties of historical or architectural significance in downtown," said the release.

It continued: "The Westerly Land Trust holds four properties on Main Street along the Pawcatuck River as well as the historic Industrial Trust Bank building (1880) on High Street and the former United Theatre built in 1928 and Montgomery Ward buildings on Canal Street, all of which were supported by Mr. Royce’s investments.

"The Artists' Cooperative Gallery relocated to this expanded site and the long-term goal is to integrate the properties into one large arts center."

The chamber noted that Royce serves on the United Theatre Board of Directors. And, that with financial assistance from the Royce Family Fund, the theater hired a full-time consultant to assist the board in completion of the theater's restoration, including fundraising.

The Land Trust also owns the building that houses the Knickerbocker Café, a revived blues venue that Royce supported. Local investors own the business. Royce, and his son-in-law, Dan King, co-own space within the Hotel Savoy at 10 Canal St. and restored that property, now occupied by the Savoy Bookshop and Café and Wakin’ Up Waggin’ coffee shop.

They also own 84 High St., the location of a prior restaurant by the same name as the address, which recently reopened as Jerry Longo’s new Pizzeria Longo, which includes a bar and market. There is also a retail shop in the property, called Christina’s.

"Mr. Royce has provided incredible support and incentives to spur the success of these small businesses," said the chamber. 

In lauding Royce, the chamber said "the most notable of all Chuck’s ventures is the Ocean House, a $140-million dollar, 3-year, ground-up rebuild project that involved demolition and historic reconstruction of this iconic property."

It noted that Royce led the effort in 2005 to buy the derelict property from a developer who was planning to demolish the inn and subdivide its 11 acres into five separate lots.

"During reconstruction, special attention was paid to every detail, and numerous architectural elements were salvaged, restored, and incorporated into the new Ocean House," said the chamber. "The façade was designed to be a historical replica of the original 1908 structure. The interior includes condos and hotel rooms, and the resort has received acclaim from all of the major travel groups ..."

Today, there are more than 100 employees at the Ocean House and the property "generates significant economic activity for the entire town," said the chamber.

In 2012, Royce renovated and reopened the Weekapaug Inn, "placing an emphasis on preserving the 1939 historic footprint and spirit of the building, while redesigning the space for modern low-key luxury, convenience and comfort," said the chamber, which added, "He has also bought and renovated the Watch Hill Inn, and is presently restoring an inn on Margin Street in Westerly."

Royce has continually given back to the community, noted the chamber, including the annual Black and White Masquerade event that raises $60,000 to $100,000 each year for designated charities. Beneficiaries have included the Westerly WARM Center, Westerly Hospital, Ocean Community YMCA, and the Bring Back the Beach grant fund for Misquamicut. 

And, he has recognized the importance of education.

"Chuck recently made a significant contribution to the region’s workforce development challenges," said the chamber.

It noted Royce's generous donation towards sponsoring a Community College of Rhode Island satellite location that will serve as a training site for Electric Boat, which is facing a shortage of skilled laborers for its Groton and Quonset Point facilities.

The CCRI satellite campus is under construction on Friendship Street near the Westerly railroad station.

"The project was Chuck’s vision, and he enlisted the assistance of Rep. Sam Azzinaro to bring it from concept to reality, working with state officials, EB employment managers, and the Rhode Island Foundation," said the chamber. "Chuck not only initiated this private-public partnership, the Royce Family Fund contributed nearly $1.8 million towards the $4.5 million education and job training center."

And the list continues. 

The capital investment for the YMCA’s ice rink on Main Street was made by the Royce Family Fund, the chamber noted, which shared a comment from the Watch Hill Conservancy newsletter: “(Royce) and his associates have shown, through prudent and strategic contributions, that their conviction that downtown Westerly is a place worth saving — a thought expressed by others including professional planners, community activists, and government leaders — is well-founded. Revitalized, downtown can bring back substantial and sustainable economic vitality: jobs, cultural amenities, and a desirable place in which to live and work. Royce continues to contribute in many ways: assisting with institutional capital campaigns, assisting in securing loans from other investors, and imparting confidence to move forward, even in these economic times.”

 The chamber's lengthy press release noting why it is honoring Royce said "Chuck has made many generous contributions over the years in support of many local charitable organizations. He donated $7,000 to the Jump Start Small Business Recovery Fund after the flood of 2010. He has donated a night on his boat the Aphrodite to support many charities. Chuck has sponsored the Misquamicut Business Association luau event with a 'Big Kahuna' table. 

"Chuck is a loyal and generous supporter of Shakespeare in the Park, the Babcock-Smith House and the Westerly Hospital.

"Chuck spent three hours on Saturday, Feb. 27, on a walking tour of historic downtown in support of a proposed 'Bricks and Murals' project for Westerly. This project would bring a talented group of professional muralists and sign crafters from several countries, known as the Walldogs, to Westerly-Pawcatuck for three days in Fall 2017 to paint historic motif images on buildings downtown. Royce helped identify potential mural locations and has pledged legal assistance that will be necessary for the project," said the chamber. 

Royce will be honored at 6 p.m. June 15 at Venice restaurant in Westerly. Michael Rauh of Chelsea Groton Bank will be the emcee. Tickets are $50 and seating is limited. For information contact the chamber at (401) 596-7761.

In addition, the Key Award will be presented to the Westerly Police Reserves for its many years of supporting the chamber.