I was deeply disappointed to hear of the fire that took place at the Windmill Street School on Sunday which resulted in extensive damage to the third floor and lower floors. I am grateful to the men and women of the Providence Fire Department who worked quickly to put out the fire without any human injury.

For years, I have called on the Mayor’s administration to act to ensure that this vacant property is not a safety or security risk. When vacant properties are left to fall into disrepair, it is a waste of valuable space and a hazard to residents in the surrounding area.

It was my understanding that the administration had planned to invest $30.5 million in the revitalization of the school, so it is even more concerning that the school was still in such a bad condition that a fire could spread through the third floor.

After three years of advocating for the renovation of this property, I am again calling on Mayor Elorza and the Department of Public Property to save the Windmill Street school from further risks to the community and to transform the property into a safe and functioning space for our City.