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                                EXHIBIT 10(a)(i)





                                      LEASE

                                     BETWEEN

                                 METROPARK, LTD.

                                       AND

                            CAPITAL PROPERTIES, INC.


                          DATED AS OF DECEMBER 1, 2000




                          (COVERING PARCELS 21 AND 22)









                                      III-3


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                                    L E A S E

          THIS INDENTURE OF LEASE made as of the 1st day of December, 2000, by
and between CAPITAL PROPERTIES, INC., a Rhode Island corporation (hereinafter
referred to as "Landlord"), and METROPARK, LTD., a Rhode Island corporation
(hereinafter referred to as "Tenant").

                          W I T N E S S E T H T H A T:

          In consideration of the rents, covenants and agreements to be paid,
kept and performed by Tenant, as hereinafter provided, Landlord hereby demises
and leases to Tenant, and Tenant hereby hires and takes from Landlord the real
property known as Parcels 21 and 22 in the Capital Center, in Providence, Rhode
Island, as shown on a plan attached to this Lease as Exhibit A (hereinafter
called the "Premises").

          TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Premises, together with all rights,
privileges, easements and appurtenances thereunto belonging and attaching, unto
Tenant for a term of two (2) years (hereinafter called the "Term") commencing as
of December 1, 2000, and ending on November 30, 2002.

          This Lease is made upon the covenants and agreements herein set forth
on the part of the respective parties, all of which the parties respectively
agree to observe and comply with during the term hereof.

     1.   RENTAL.

          During the period from December 1, 2000 to November 30, 2001, Tenant
shall pay to Landlord an annual rental of One Hundred Two Thousand ($102,000)
Dollars payable in monthly installments of Eight Thousand Five Hundred ($8,500)
Dollars on the first day of each month without offset, deduction or abatement.

          During the period from December 1, 2001 to November 30, 2002, Tenant
shall pay to the Landlord an annual rental of One Hundred Eight Thousand
($108,000) Dollars payable in monthly installments of Nine Thousand ($9,000)
Dollars on the first day of each month without offset, deduction or abatement.

     2.   UTILITIES AND OTHER CHARGES.

          Tenant will pay directly before the same become delinquent all
charges, duties, rates, license and permit fees and other amounts of every
description to which the Premises or any part thereof or any improvement thereon
erected or used by Tenant may, during the term hereof, be assessed or become
liable for electricity, refuse collection, telephone or any other utillities or
services or any connection or meters therefor, whether assessed to or payable by
Landlord or Tenant. Tenant will, within ten (10) days after receipt of written
demand by Landlord, furnish Landlord with receipts or other evidence indicating
that all such amounts have been paid. Provided, however, that

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Tenant shall only be responsible for those charges and assessments which are for
the period of its occupancy of the Premises.

     3.   TAXES AND ASSESSMENTS.

          Landlord will pay and keep current the real estate taxes assessed
against the premises.

     4.   COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS.

          Tenant will at all times during the term hereof keep the Premises in
good order and a strictly sanitary condition and observe and perform all laws,
ordinances, orders, rules and regulations now or hereafter made by any
governmental authority for the time being applicable to the Premises or any
improvement thereon or use thereof, and with the orders, rules and regulations
of the National Board of Fire Underwriters or similar organization so far as the
same may relate to the use of the Premises, and will indemnify Landlord against
all actions, suits, damages and claims by whomsoever brought or made by reason
of the nonobservance or nonperformance of such laws, ordinances, orders, rules
and regulations, or of this covenant. Nothing herein shall obligate the Tenant
to construct any additional improvements on the Premises.

     5.   INSPECTION.

          Tenant will permit Landlord and its agents at all reasonable times
during the term hereof to enter the Premises and examine the state of repair and
condition thereof, and the use being made of the same. Landlord may also enter
upon the Premises to perform any repairs or maintenance which Tenant has failed
to perform hereunder, and to show the premises to prospective purchasers,
tenants and mortgagees. Further, Landlord shall have the right to have test
borings done on the premises, and will use reasonable, good faith effort to
avoid unreasonable interference with the Tenant's business thereon.

     6.   REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE.

          Tenant will, at its own expense, from time to time and at all times
during the term hereof, well and substantially repair, maintain, amend and keep
the Premises, together with all fixtures and items of personal property used or
useful in connection therewith, with all necessary reparations and amendments
whatsoever in as good order and condition as they now are or may be put in,
reasonable wear and tear and damage by the elements and such unavoidable
casualty against which insurance is not required hereunder excepted. Tenant will
maintain the signs on the Premises and fix all potholes that may develop. Tenant
will have the benefit of all warranties pertaining thereto. Tenant will remove
snow from the Premises and keep the sidewalks clean and free from ice and snow.

     7.   USE.

          Tenant shall use the Premises only for the operation of a parking lot
and other accessory uses related to motor vehicles.

     8.   NOTICES RE PREMISES.

          Landlord will forthwith furnish Tenant copies of any notices it
receives regarding the Premises from any third parties which notices relate to
the Tenant's use and occupancy of the Premises.

     9.   CANCELLATION OF LEASE.

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          Either Landlord or Tenant may cancel this Lease upon thirty (30) days'
written notice to the other.

     10.  INSURANCE.

          Tenant will, at its own cost and expense, effect and maintain during
the term hereof, a policy or policies of comprehensive general liability
insurance, or its equivalent, with minimum limits of not less than $500,000 for
injury to one or more persons in any one occurrence, and also insurance in the
sum of not less than $1,000,000 against claims for property damage in any one
accident, such policy or policies to name Landlord as additional assured, to
require the insurer to give Landlord at least ten days' written notice of its
intention to cancel, terminate or amend the insurance policy or policies in any
material respect, and to cover the entire Premises. Tenant may insure premises
as part of a blanket policy.

     11. LANDLORD'S COSTS AND EXPENSES.

          If Tenant shall fail to comply with any of its obligations hereunder,
landlord may, upon ten (10) days' prior written notice to Tenant (or without
notice in case of emergency), take any such action as may be reasonably required
to cure any such default by Tenant. Tenant will pay to Landlord, on demand, all
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by Landlord
in collecting any delinquent rents, or other charges payable by Tenant
hereunder, or in connection with any litigation commenced by or against Tenant
(other than condemnation proceedings) to which Landlord, without any fault on
its part, shall be made a party. All such amounts owing to Landlord shall
constitute additional rent hereunder.

     12. INDEMNIFICATION OF LANDLORD.

          12.1. Tenant shall indemnify and save harmless Landlord (regardless of
Tenant's covenant to insure) against and from any and all claims by or on behalf
of any person or persons, firm or firms, corporation or corporations, arising
from the use, occupancy, conduct or management of the Premises, unless done by
or contributed to Landlord, any of its agents, contractors, servants, employees
or licensees, and shall further indemnify and save Landlord harmless against and
from any and all claims arising during the term hereof from any condition of the
Premises, or arising from any breach or default on the part of Tenant in the
performance of any covenant or agreement on the part of Tenant to be performed
pursuant to the terms of this Lease, or arising from any act of Tenant or any of
its agents, contractors, servants or employees to any person, firm or
corporation occurring during the term hereof in or about the Premises or upon or
under said areas, and from and against all costs, counsel fees, expenses or
liabilities incurred in or about any such claim or action or proceeding brought
thereon.

          12.2. Tenant shall pay and indemnify Landlord against all legal costs
and charges incurred in obtaining possession of the Premises after the default
of Tenant or upon expiration or earlier termination of the term hereof, other
than by reason of any default of Landlord, or in enforcing any covenant or
agreement of Tenant herein contained.

     13. LIENS.

          13.1. Tenant will not commit, suffer any act or neglect whereby the
Premises or any improvements thereon or the estate of Landlord therein shall at
any time during the term hereof

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become subject to any attachment, judgment, lien, charge or encumbrance
whatsoever, except as herein expressly provided, and will indemnify and hold
Landlord harmless from and against all loss, costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, with respect thereto.

          13.2. If due to any act or neglect of Tenant, any mechanic's,
laborer's or materialmen's lien shall at any time be filed against the premises
or any part hereof, Tenant, within thirty (30) days after notice of the filing
thereof shall cause the same to be discharged of record by payment, bonding or
otherwise, and if Tenant shall fail to cause the same to be discharged, then
Landlord may, in addition to any other right or remedy, cause the same to be
discharged, either by paying the amount claimed to be due, or by procuring the
discharge of such lien by deposit or by bonding proceedings, and all amounts so
paid by landlord, together with all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in
connection therewith, and together with interest thereon at the rate of ten
percent (10%) per annum from the respective dates of payment, shall be paid by
Tenant to Landlord, on demand, as additional rent hereunder.

          13.3. Nothing in this lease contained shall be deemed or construed in
any way as constituting the consent or request of Landlord, express or implied
by inference or otherwise, to any contractor, subcontractor, laborer,
materialmen, architect or engineer for the performance of any labor or the
furnishing of any materials or services for or in connection with the Premises
or any part thereof. Notice is hereby given that Landlord shall not be liable
for any labor or materials or services furnished or to be furnished to Tenant
upon credit, and that no mechanic's or other lien for any such labor, materials,
or services shall attach to or affect the fee or reversionary or other estate or
interest of Landlord in the Premises of and in this Lease.

     14. DEFAULT.

          14.1. In the event that during the term hereof any of the following
events shall occur (each of which shall be an "Event of Default");

               (a) Tenant shall default in the payment of any installment of the
Rent for ten (10) days after the same shall become due, during which ten-day
period Tenant may cure the default;

               (b) Tenant or any permitted assignee of Tenant shall (i) apply
for or consent to an appointment of a receiver, a trustee or liquidator of it or
of all or a substantial part of its assets; (ii) make a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors; (iii) be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent; (iv)
file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or a petition or an answer seeking
reorganization or an arrangement with creditors to take advantage of any
insolvency law or an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition
filed against it in any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency proceeding or
corporate action shall be taken by it for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing;

               (c) An order, judgment or decree shall be entered, without the
application, approval or consent of Tenant or any permitted assignee of Tenant
by any court of competent jurisdiction, approving a petition seeking
reorganization of Tenant or such assignee or appointing a receiver, trust or
liquidator of Tenant or such assignee or of all or a substantial part of its
assets and such order, judgment or decree shall continue unstayed and in effect
for any period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or

               (d) Any other default by Tenant in performing any of its other
obligations hereunder shall continue uncorrected for ten (10) days after receipt
of written notice thereof from Landlord, during which period Tenant or such
assignee may cure the default; then landlord may, by giving written notice to
Tenant, either (a) terminate this Lease, (b) re-enter the Premises by summary

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proceedings or otherwise, expelling Tenant and removing all of Tenant's property
therefrom, and relet the Premises and receive the rent therefrom, or (c)
exercise any other remedies permitted by law. Tenant shall also be liable for
the reasonable cost of obtaining possession of and reletting the Premises and of
any repairs and alterations or other payments necessary to prepare them for
reletting. Any and all such amounts shall be payable to Landlord upon demand.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no termination of
this Lease prior to the last day of the term hereof, except as provided in
Section 15 hereof, shall relieve Tenant of its liability and obligations under
this Lease, and such liability and obligations shall survive any such
termination.

          14.2. In the event of any breach by Tenant of any of the covenants,
agreements, terms or conditions contained in this Lease, Landlord shall be
entitled to enjoin such breach or threatened breach and shall have the right to
invoke any right and remedy allowed at law or in equity, or by statute or
otherwise, as though reentry, summary proceedings and other remedies were not
provided for in this Lease.

          14.3. Each right and remedy of Landlord provided for in this Lease
shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other right or remedy
provided for in this Lease or now or hereafter existing, at law or in equity, or
by statute or otherwise, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by
Landlord of any one or more of the rights or remedies provided for in this
Lease, or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity, or by statute or
otherwise, shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by Landlord of
any or all other rights or remedies provided for in this Lease, or now or
hereafter existing at law or in equity, or by statute or otherwise.

     15.  EMINENT DOMAIN.

          If the whole or any part of the demised premises shall be condemned or
acquired by eminent domain for any public or quasi-public use or purpose, then
the term of this Lease shall cease and terminate as of the date of vesting of
title in such proceeding and all rentals shall be paid up to the date of the
vacating of the premises by Tenant and Tenant shall have no claim against
Landlord nor the condemning authority for the value of any unexpired term of
this Lease.

          In the event of any condemnation or taking as aforesaid, whether whole
or partial, Tenant shall not be entitled to any part of the award paid for such
condemnation and Landlord is to receive the full amount of such award, Tenant
hereby expressly waiving any right or claim to any part thereof.

     16.  CONDITION OF PREMISES.

          Tenant represents that the Premises, the sidewalks and structures
adjoining the same, and any subsurface conditions thereof, and the present uses
and non-uses thereof, have been examined by Tenant, and Tenant agrees that it
will accept the same in the condition or state in which they, or any of them,
now are, without representation or warranty, express or implied in fact or by
law, by Landlord, and without recourse to Landlord as to the nature, condition
or usability thereof, or the use or uses to which the Premises, or any part
thereof, may be put.

     17.  INDEPENDENT COVENANTS--NO WAIVER.

          17.1. Each and every of the covenants and agreements contained in this
Lease shall be for all purposes construed to be separate and independent
covenants and the waiver of the breach of

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any covenant contained hereby by Landlord shall in no way or manner discharge or
relieve Tenant from Tenant's obligation to perform each and every of the
covenants contained herein.

          17.2. If any term or provision of this Lease or the application
thereof to any person or circumstance shall to any extent be invalid or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease, or the application of such term or
provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid
or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of
this Lease shall be valid and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted
by law.

          17.3. The failure of Landlord to insist in any one or more cases upon
the strict performance of any of the covenants of this Lease shall not be
construed as a waiver or a relinquishment for the future of such covenant. A
receipt by Landlord of rent with knowledge of the breach of any covenant hereof
shall not be deemed a waiver of such breach, and no waiver by landlord of any
provision of this Lease shall be deemed to have been made unless expressed in
writing and signed by Landlord. All remedies to which landlord may resort under
the terms of this Lease or by law provided shall be cumulative.

     18.  SUBORDINATION.

          This Lease and the rights of Tenant hereunder are subject and
subordinate in all respects to all matters of record, including, without
limitation, deeds and all mortgages which may now or hereafter be placed on or
affect the Premises, or any part thereof, and/or Landlord's interest or estate
therein, and to each advance made and/or hereafter to be made under any such
mortgages, and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations, replacements and
extensions thereof, and all substitutions therefor; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
before such subordination shall be effective, Landlord shall cause the
mortgagee, or other party in interest, as the case may be, to deliver to Tenant
an assent to this Lease, in proper form for recording whereby such mortgagee or
other party agrees that no foreclosure of such mortgage or any action taken with
respect thereto, by such mortgagee or any other person claiming by or through or
under such mortgage (or other interest) shall disturb the possession of Tenant
under this Lease so long as Tenant is not in default hereunder, and that the
validity and continuance of this Lease will be so recognized. Simultaneously
with the delivery of such an agreement, Tenant agrees to execute and deliver an
instrument in proper form for recording, wherein Tenant agrees to and does
subordinate this Lease to the liens of the mortgagees and others as
above-mentioned, and to all renewals, modifications, consolidations and
replacements and extensions of such mortgages thereunder, and to any persons
claiming by, through or under such mortgages or other such interest.

     19.  QUIET ENJOYMENT.

          Landlord covenants that Tenant, upon paying the rent and performing
the covenants hereof on the part of Tenant to be performed shall and may
peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Premises and all related
appurtenances, rights, privileges and easements throughout the term hereof
without any lawful hindrance by landlord and any person claiming by, through or
under it.

     20.  RETURN OF PREMISES.

          At the expiration or other termination of the term hereof, Tenant will
remove from the Premises its property and that of all claiming under it and will
peaceably yield up to Landlord the Premises in as good condition in all respects
as the same were at the commencement of this Lease, except for ordinary wear and
tear, damage by the elements, by any exercise of the right of eminent


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domain or by public or other authority, or damage which Landlord is required
herein to replace, restore or rebuild or damage for which no insurance is
required hereunder.

     21.  CONSTRUCTION.

          The mention of the parties hereto by name or otherwise shall be
construed as including and referring to their respective successors and assigns
as well as to the parties themselves whenever such construction is required or
admitted by the provisions hereof; and all covenants, agreements, conditions,
rights, powers and privileges hereinbefore contained shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of such parties, unless
otherwise provided.

     22.  PERMITS.

          Tenant, at its cost, shall obtain any necessary permits for the
Premises from the City of Providence.

     23.  NOTICES.

          Whenever notice shall be given under this Lease, the same shall be in
writing and shall be sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested as follows:

                To the Landlord:    100 Dexter Road
                                    East Providence, Rhode Island  02914

                To the Tenant :     c/o Charles Meyers
                                    56 Pine Street
                                    Providence, Rhode Island 02903

                To the Tenant's     Charles Koutsogiane
                  Attorney:         1 Grove Avenue
                                    East Providence, Rhode Island  02914

or to such other address or addresses as each party may from time to time
designate by like notice to the other. Said notice shall be valid and times
begin to run hereunder upon receipt of the party to which said notice is given.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused these presents to
be executed in duplicate as of the day and year first above written.

CAPITAL PROPERTIES, INC. METROPARK, LTD.


By /s/ Ronald P. Chrzanowski             By /s/ Charles Meyers
   ----------------------------             --------------------------------
   Ronald P. Chrzanowski                    Charles Meyers, President
   President

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF PROVIDENCE

     In Providence, in said County on the 2nd day of October, 2000, before me
personally appeared RONALD P. CHRZANOWSKI, President of CAPITAL PROPERTIES,
INC., to me known and known by me to be the person executing the foregoing
instrument on behalf of said corporation, and he acknowledged said instrument by
him executed to be his free act and deed and the free act and deed of said
corporation.

                                    /s/ Gloria P. Hopkins
                                    -----------------------------------
                                    Notary Public
                                    Gloria P. Hopkins
                                    My Commission Expires June 23, 2001

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF PROVIDENCE

     In Providence, in said County on the 10th day of October, 2000, before me
personally appeared CHARLES MEYERS, President of METROPARK, LTD., to me known
and known by me to be the person executing the foregoing instrument on behalf of
said corporation, and he acknowledged said instrument by him executed to be his
free act and deed and the free act and deed of said corporation.


                                    /s/ Carolyn M. Bouchard    10/10/00
                                    ---------------------------
                                    Notary Public
                                    Carolyn M. Bouchard


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                                    GUARANTEE


In consideration of the execution of the foregoing lease by the Landlord, the
undersigned (jointly and severally, if more than one) guarantees that the Tenant
will pay all rent thereunder and will perform all other terms, conditions or
agreements on its part to be performed or fulfilled, and agrees that the
foregoing lease may be amended from time to time by the parties thereto without
notice to the undersigned. The undersigned consents that extensions of time of
payment or any other indulgences may be granted to the Tenant without notice to
and without releasing or affecting in any way the liability of the undersigned
and the undersigned waives demand and notice of default. This guarantee is in
addition to any other security which the Landlord may have for the performance
of the Tenant's obligations and the Landlord may have the recourse to this
guarantee without first pursuing the Landlord's remedies against such other
security, if any. The Landlord may release, in whole or in part, any other
security without releasing or affecting in any way the liability of the
undersigned. In addition, the undersigned will pay to the Landlord all costs and
expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in connection with the enforcement
of this guarantee.

Executed this 10th day of October, 2000.

                                           /s/ Charles Meyers
                                           -------------------------
                                           Charles Meyers