Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. is excited to announce that the upgrades to the Prete-Metcalf Field Playground are complete.
He extends his thanks to the dedicated employees of the Providence Parks Department, volunteers, and community members who helped to make this project a reality.
An official ribbon cutting will be scheduled in early spring.
Over the past year there have been several incidents of racist and white nationalist propaganda being shared in our community, and today I have learned of another incident in my neighborhood.
These messages are sometimes opaque and not easily recognizable. They may otherwise seem harmless, but they will not go unnoticed by my neighbors, who I was elected to represent, or by me. Our community is diverse, open, and welcoming, and this rhetoric is not and will not be tolerated. Simply put: there is no place for hate here in Providence.
I won’t share the image and I won’t say where it was, but I will say as soon as it was brought to my attention, my colleagues in government reacted swiftly to remove this vile message from our community. I will never stand in the way of free speech, but I will gladly stand up and speak out against hate speech, even when it’s not always recognizable.
To those who would share this vitriolic message in our community, I pray for you. I pray that during this special holiday season, which is meant to be filled with family, love, and brotherhood, that your hatred melts away, and that acceptance and love for your neighbors fill that part of your hearts.
— Nirva R. LaFortune, Councilwoman – Ward Three
Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris was joined by Councilwoman-Elect Rachel Miller at the Building Futures – Rhode Island graduation.
Building Futures – Rhode Island helps prepare low-income urban Rhode Islanders for successful careers in the building trades.
They assess the work readiness of their applicants, provide training and other forms of services and supports to help address barriers to employment, and assist successful graduates in gaining a career through employment as registered apprentices.
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, who was unable to be there, made sure that she and Councilwoman Harris gave each of the graduates an official citation from the City Council commemorating this occasion.
For more information, visit them on the web: Building Futures RI
For more information on the upcoming Building Futures Orientation check out their Facebook event: BFRI Orientation
CITY OF PROVIDENCE
RHODE ISLAND
PUBLIC HEARING
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing is scheduled to be held, Thursday, December
27, 2018 at 5:00 o’clock P.M. in the Chamber of the City Council, City Hall, Providence,
Rhode Island.
The Public Hearing will be concerned with the following proposed Ordinances before the
City Council and the which are on file in the Department of the City Clerk, City Hall and
available for inspection:
An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 44 Hospital Street.
An Ordinance Establishing a Tax Stabilization Agreement for 1290 Westminster
Street, LLC located at 1292 Westminster Street.
This Public Hearing is being held in accordance with Section 17-27 of the Code of
Ordinances of the City of Providence relative to the ratification of Collective Bargaining
Agreements by the City Council. These agreements are on file in the Department of City
Clerk, City Hall and are available for inspection:
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(City 1033 Agreement)
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(1033 Teacher Assistants Agreement)
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(1033 Business, Educational, Specialist, Technical Staff. (B.E.S.T.) Agreement)
Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated December 3, 2018, submitting
the tentative agreement by and between the City of Providence and the Rhode
Island Laborers’ District Council on behalf of Public Service Employees’ Local
Union 1033 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, AFL-CIO for
the period of July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022.
(1033 Public School Safety Services Officers. (P.S.S.S.O.) Agreement)
Offices and City Council Chambers are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you
are in need of interpreter services for the hearing impaired, please contact the Office of
Neighborhood Services at 421-7768 not less than 48 hours in advance of the hearing date.
All persons or agencies interested in the above Ordinances and Collective Bargaining
Agreements will have an opportunity to be heard and/or to submit communication in
writing. Copies of the proposed ordinances and Collective Bargaining Agreements and
information thereon may be obtained prior to the Hearing at the City Clerk’s Office,
Providence City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903 between the
hours of 8:30 o’clock A.M. and 4:00 o’clock P.M. on regular business days.
PER ORDER THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Councilman John J. Igliozzi, Chairman
Councilman Terrence M. Hassett, Vice-Chairman
Councilwoman Sabina Matos
Councilwoman Carmen Castillo
Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan
Lori L. Hagen
City Clerk
Tonight at a special meeting of the Providence City Council, a majority of the members voted to override the Mayor’s veto of the zoning variance requested by the developer of the Hope Point Tower.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Terrence M. Hassett (Ward 12), in his role as Chairman of the Council’s Committee on Ordinances, has shepherded this legislation through two public hearings and to the full Council for vote. Over his long career as a Councilman he has been on the front lines of some of the City’s most notable revitalization projects.
“I have seen a lot in my 21 years on the Council, and I believe that Hope Point Tower will turn out to be one of the most important developments in our City’s history,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Terrence M. Hassett. “I was there when neighbors said ‘no’ to the Renaissance Hotel. I was there when neighbors said ‘no’ to the Providence Place Mall. I went to bat for both and followed my gut that these projects were good for the City and the State, and they were. Today, I feel the same about this project, and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”
Majority Whip Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) has been a vocal proponent for this project. Through her role in Council leadership and as a member of the Council’s Committee on Finance, she has a unique understanding of the financial perils that face the city of Providence.
“Today’s vote is not simply an expression of support for a much-needed development project. It is a commitment to create jobs and much-needed tax revenue for our City. It is an essential step forward for economic development in Providence. And, it is an exciting opportunity to jump-start activity in the I-195 redevelopment zone,” stated Majority Whip Jo-Ann Ryan. “I’m grateful to my colleagues on the Council for once again coming together and making a clear statement that we are serious about getting things done in Providence and helping to rebuild Rhode Island’s economy. I understand that sometimes when it comes to ambitious development projects, it is easier to vote ‘no’ and pretend that attacking developers and maintaining the status quo is somehow a public good. But when our schools are struggling, when our City is facing financial challenges, and when we needed to change the narrative in Providence, this vote sends a message to responsible developers that we are serious about taking the bold action that is needed to revitalize our City.”
Ryan continued, “This vote is a beginning and I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue the important work of bringing a new spirit of energy and excitement to the I-195 zone. Almost thirty years ago, Providence made history by moving rivers to create a new urban landscape. Then we moved a highway to create a new opportunity zone. Today, with this vote, we have begun to change the culture of how we look at development projects in the city. And, that will allow us to capitalize on a range of new opportunities, creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, and encouraging new businesses to make Providence their home.”
Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) became the deciding vote to override the veto and grant the developer’s request for height relief and zoning change.
“This decision was not easy. I prayed about it. I talked to whoever would speak to me. I asked folks the right questions, and asked them all the same questions I always ask – what are the threats and what are the opportunities for my community. And I have concluded that opportunities far outweigh the threats,” stated Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris. “So today, I stood to override the Mayor’s veto, and I pledge to all those who have been so vocal about affordable housing: I heard you, and I am with you, and we will have it. By the end of my term, we will be a City that puts people to work, that pays them fair and livable wages, and we will have the equity, the income and the equality that every person needs and deserves.”
With tonight’s override, the developer can move forward working with the I-195 Commission.
The Hope Point Tower project is expected to generate more than 1,500 high-wage jobs in total for the three years of its projected construction period, representing nearly every trade, and will also create business for many suppliers and providers of materials and services. Over the next 20 years, the Hope Point Tower is expected to generate $70 million in property taxes alone; it is expected to pay Providence about $250 million in property taxes over the next 40 years. The 2017 Appleseed Study estimated that Hope Point Tower could generate $273 million in statewide economic impact, as well as a one-time increase of $146 million in the Rhode Island economy.
Councilors Luis A. Aponte, Carmen Castillo, Michael J. Correia, Terrence M. Hassett, John J. Igliozzi, Wilbur W. Jennings Jr., Sabina Matos, Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Mary Kay Harris, and Jo-Ann Ryan all voted to override the Mayor’s Veto.