Finance Committee Approves TSA for $56M Canal Street Project

Finance Committee Approves TSA for $56M Canal Street Project

The Providence City Council Committee on Finance tonight approved a tax stabilization agreement with Vision Development Inc. that brings a $56 million new construction project to downtown Providence. The Canal Street Project marks the city’s first concrete and steel commercial development in years and is expected to generate at least 100 construction jobs and 30 permanent jobs. The site is located at 169 Canal Street, which is currently a surface parking lot that generates minimal tax revenue.

Once completed, the Canal Street property will include 180-190 units, with a mix of residential and commercial spaces. The project is expected to be shovel-ready with cranes in the sky this summer.

According to a representative for the developer, the developer intends to use a tower crane for construction, noting that “Providence deserves to see a tower crane project” in the sky. He described the project as a “true urban living experience” that will attract millennials and professionals to Providence’s downtown core.

“This is an exciting time to be working and living in Providence,” said Finance Committee Chairman John Igliozzi. “The Canal Street Project is another positive sign that the City of Providence is moving in the right direction, and this is exactly the kind of project the City is craving. We’ve attracted an out-of-state developer to invest in our city, which tells us that the business and banking industries have faith and trust in the City of Providence.”

As part of the tax stabilization agreement, the developer will be required to pursue contracts with women and minority-owned businesses and hire apprentices for construction, and purchase construction materials from Providence vendors.

Matos, Principe Issue Statement Regarding Aponte Indictment

Matos, Principe Issue Statement Regarding Aponte Indictment

City Council President Pro Tempore Sabina Matos today issued the following statement regarding Council President Aponte’s indictment:

“I am concerned and saddened by today’s indictment against Council President Aponte. Luis has been a colleague and friend for many years. This is a difficult time for the City and our constituents.

As President Pro-Tempore, I wish to assure the people of Providence that their Councilors remain committed to continuing their hard work to ensure that Providence is a vibrant, successful city for all its residents. While the judicial process unfolds, I will remain focused on our work and committed to moving the City of Providence forward.”

Majority Leader Bryan Principe issued a statement echoing Councilwoman Matos’ emphasis on the Council’s commitment to constituents:

“At the end of the day, the judicial process that began today is out of our hands, and we can’t control its outcome. Instead, we will remain focused on fulfilling our commitment to the people of Providence and continue to serve the City to the best of our ability.”

City Council Passes Don’t Block the Box Ordinance

City Council Passes Don’t Block the Box Ordinance

The Providence City Council approved a measure on Thursday that prohibits drivers from obstructing three designated intersections in the City of Providence.   The “Don’t Block the Box” ordinance was introduced by Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14) to improve traffic flow in busy intersections throughout the city. Salvatore also lobbied the General Assembly for enabling legislation last year.

“We often see drivers stuck in the middle of intersections, which is unsafe for everyone,” said Salvatore. “Thanks to enabling legislation introduced by Representative Charlene Lima, cities and towns in Rhode Island now have better tools to mitigate traffic jams. The ‘Don’t Block the Box’ designation is proven to reduce congestion and make busy intersections safer for pedestrians and motorists alike.”

The City will pilot the program through the end of 2017 in three locations: Dave Gavitt Way and Broadway; Memorial Boulevard and Exchange Street; and Cranston Street and Potters Avenue.

Police officers will begin enforcement two weeks after “Don’t Block the Box” signage is installed and intersections are striped accordingly.

The Department of Public Works will monitor the impact of the ordinance and provide the Council with a report early next year.

City Council Bolsters ATV & Dirt Bike Enforcement Law

City Council Bolsters ATV & Dirt Bike Enforcement Law

The Providence City Council tonight approved an ordinance that allows the Providence Police Department to confiscate and destroy recreational vehicles that are driven in the city illegally. In recent months, the city has faced an alarming uptick of unauthorized recreational vehicles being used on city roads and in public parks, sometimes swarming in large numbers to intimidate the public. On Easter weekend, dozens of people riding dirt bikes and ATVs swarmed a playground on Aleppo Street, endangering the twenty parkgoers who fled the area when the pack arrived.  One motorist was killed while operating an ATV on a city street in the Manton neighborhood earlier this year.

“We have been hearing from many residents and community organizations about dangerous incidents across the city involving ATVS and dirt bikes,” said Council President Luis Aponte (Ward 10). “These incidents threaten everyone’s safety, and the ordinance we passed tonight gives our police department greater latitude in addressing the problem.”

Rhode Island Foundation President Neil Steinberg recently stated in a letter to the Council that ATV and off-road motor vehicles “are causing significant damage” to Roger Williams Park, and that “large groups of riders frequently meet in the Park to ride off-road on trails and fields.” He noted that the vehicles’ damage to Roger Williams Park has cost the Providence Parks Department nearly $20,000 in repairs.

The ordinance, adapted from a similar law in New York City, has already earned support from the Providence Police Department. “The City of Providence has experienced lawlessness in the illegal use of all-terrain vehicles and off road motorbikes on our City Streets,” said Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare.  “This has created a danger to our community and to our police officers who try to intercept these vehicles driving at high rates of speed on our streets, in our parks and on the bike path.  The ordinance will allow the Providence Police to stop, seize and potentially forfeit these vehicles so they are forever removed from the public spaces that they operate illegally.  We thank the Council for their support in this ordinance and we look forward to removing this menace from our community once and for all.”

“This is a city-wide issue that has great implications for the quality of life in all of our neighborhoods,” said Councilwoman Ryan (Ward 5), who sponsored the ordinance. “This ordinance gives our Police officers the tools they need to deal with the growing epidemic of illegal vehicles abusing our traffic laws and endangering the public.”

“We are doing everything we possibly can to rid the city of the ATVs and dirt bikes terrorizing our parks and neighborhoods,” said Councilman Michael Correia (Ward 6), who recently called upon the police department for increased enforcement.

Council Establishes CSA Working Group

The Providence City Council tonight established a working group to further review the Community Safety Act, discuss a limited scope of concerns, and identify potential solutions for implementation of the ordinance prior to the Council’s second vote on June 1st. The working group will be comprised of community members, public safety officials, City Councilors, and representatives from the city’s administration and legal team.

“We’ve dedicated a great deal of time gathering input on the CSA, however, some stakeholders felt their concerns about the ordinance and its implementation hadn’t been fully heard,” said City Council President Luis Aponte. “The CSA Working Group gives us an opportunity to take a deeper dive into any specific and legitimate concerns before the Council takes its landmark vote in June.”

The 11-member panel will be tasked with providing the City Council with a written review and formal recommendation by June 1, 2017.

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