by Abigail Appel | Dec 3, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-12, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3
At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilor David A. Salvatore proposed a “Green and Complete Streets” ordinance which would pave the way for safer streets in Providence, while codifying the City’s commitment to developing infrastructure that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and accommodating to all residents. This ordinance was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1), Councilwoman Nirva R. LaFortune (Ward 3) and Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12).
The “Green and Complete Streets” ordinance aims to provide all Providence neighborhoods with fair access to local roads and sidewalk infrastructure,” stated Councilor Salvatore. “In the last ten months, the pandemic has shined a light on the transportation shortfalls that have existed in Providence for decades. Through this ordinance, we have an opportunity to improve health outcomes and advance equity, while meeting the demands for slower streets that our constituents have called for. This ordinance would incorporate the needs of motorists and all who use city streets, including pedestrians, residents with disabilities, bicyclists, and transit users alike.”
Green and Complete streets mean streets that are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users. It ensures that pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities can safely move along and across a street.
Councilor Salvatore consulted with community advocates while drafting this ordinance to ensure that local needs are met as the City continues to move forward with street development.
“Complete Streets are streets that safely, comfortably, and conveniently accommodate all who use them, regardless of who they are or how they travel. A Complete Street means getting to work, school, the store, or your aunt’s house safely doesn’t require a private automobile — it’s low-stress whether you’re walking, bicycling, taking the bus, or using a wheelchair. Passing a Complete Streets Ordinance in Providence instills this philosophy and creates a reliable system that ensures our future street projects aim for an end result that is community-oriented, equitable, accommodating, and — in a word – Complete,” said C.J. Opperthauser, founder of WalkPVD and Director of Training & Placemaking at Grow Smart RI.
The ordinance also aims to provide visual pleasure, including exposure to natural elements, and improves environmental quality by providing for reduction and on-site pretreatment of stormwater. Currently, most of the City’s stormwater runoff flows into our waterways, carrying pollutants and other hazards into the State’s most precious natural resource – the Narragansett Bay.
“As Providence is finally beginning to transform its streetscapes to address the interconnected crises of public safety and health, affordability, air pollution and stormwater runoff, we applaud this legislation that will ensure the work moves forward so we can provide a safer, healthier, and cleaner city for our children and grandchildren,” said Liza Burkin, Organizer of the Providence Streets Coalition.
Emphasizing the importance of street trees, the Green and Complete Streets proposal will play a role in improving air quality by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from our City’s neighborhoods. According to the Urban Forestry Network, ‘trees also reduce the greenhouse effect by shading houses and office buildings. This reduces the need for air conditioning by up to 30 percent which in turn reduces the amount of fossil fuels burned to produce electricity. The combination of CO2 removal from the atmosphere, carbon storage in wood and the cooling effect makes trees extremely efficient tools in fighting the greenhouse effect.
Councilor Salvatore continued, “Green and complete streets are intended not just to improve how residents and visitors move through our City, but will also add important quality of life enhancements by increasing the number trees in majority-minority neighborhoods, increasing access to wellness pathways, and promoting environmental justice.”
The Green and Complete Streets ordinance requires the City of Providence to track the development of street performance measures, including, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliant sidewalks, traffic complaints, total miles of bike lanes and an inventory of street trees. This aggregated information will be publicly updated on the City of Providence website.
This ordinance has been referred to the committee on ordinances. Read the full amendment to the Code of Ordinances here: https://bit.ly/3qpNICm
by Abigail Appel | Nov 20, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-7, Ward-9
Providence, RI (November 19, 2020)…At tonight’s City Council meeting, Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) introduced a resolution encouraging the Providence Police Department to commit to working towards a more diverse department at all levels. This resolution has been co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Finance Chairman John J. Igliozzi Esq. (Ward 7), Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
“Our City is incredibly diverse. Over 60% of our population is made up of minority residents, yet our police force is 67% white. These numbers just don’t match up. Aligning the demographics of the police department with the communities they help serve will help to build trust between officers and local residents,” stated Councilman Espinal.
While fully diversifying the Police Department will take time, the last graduating cohort of the Police Academy was the most diverse in the history of Providence. This resolution encourages the department to continue to ensure that the next graduating class of the Police Academy is even more diverse than the last and more reflective of the demographic landscape of the City in 2020.
“The Police Department has the opportunity to take immediate action to address the demographic disparities within their ranks by focusing on diversity as they grow their force through the Police Academy. There are so many young men and women of color in our City who are willing to protect and serve their communities,” added Councilman Espinal.
This resolution will be sent to Mayor Jorge Elorza, Steven Pare, Commissioner of Public Safety, and to Col. Hugh Clements, Chief of the Providence Police Department; asking for a commitment to the task of complete diversification, starting with the upcoming Police Academy.
by Abigail Appel | Nov 19, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-9
At tonight’s City Council meeting Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) proposed an ordinance amending the Licenses Chapter of the Code of Ordinances in an effort to curb the illegal dumping of used tires throughout the City. The proposal would amend the Providence Code of Ordinances to include a requirement that any motor repair business engaging in the repair, replacement or disposal of tires must be licensed by the Providence Board of Licenses. The proposal would also require that motor repair businesses legally dispose of old tires and provide a receipt proving lawful disposal. This ordinance was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3) Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
“In recent months, the Department of Public Works and the City Council have been working to mitigate the excessive, unlawful dumping of waste throughout the City. One major issue has been unlicensed, improper tire disposal. With old tires being dumped on local roads, in wooded areas and in vacant lots, our local environment and overall quality of life in Providence remain at risk,” stated Councilor Salvatore.
Councilor Salvatore’s proposal includes a provision that creates a lawful disposal and delivery of used/waste tires to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation or to a privately-operated tire storage, recycling or recovery facility licensed by the director of environmental management. Tire haulers would be permitted to transport tires to an out-of-state recycling facility in accordance with Rhode Island General Law.
“This change to the Code of Ordinances will have a minimal effect on law-abiding, legitimate auto-repair businesses. These operations are already licensed and are aware of proper tire disposal procedures. My proposal is intended to stop the individuals who are collecting used tires for cash and disposing of them illegally,” added Councilor Salvatore.
This ordinance has been referred to the Committee on Ordinances. To read the full ordinance, click here:
https://bit.ly/3kMxe3l
by Abigail Appel | Nov 9, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
“I know I’m a bit biased when I say this, but I believe Ward 1 has the best of what the City of Providence has to offer. Whether it’s the historic vibrancy of Fox Point or College Hill or the green space of India Point Park or The Mile of History on Benefit Street, Waterfire, the Pedestrian Bridge, the Universities including Brown and RISD, the restaurants and businesses in Wayland Square, Wickenden Street, and on South Main Street, including the new Plant City, and of course all of the bustling activity of the Innovation District and Downtown. Ward 1 is the economic engine of Providence and a truly special place that has it all, marked by a diverse constituency of people who ultimately make it one of the most dynamic and vibrant Wards in the city.”-Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1)
In the spring of 1636, Roger Williams and his fellow proprietors crossed the Seekonk River and landed on Slate Rock – in what would become the cornerstone of Providence. Both the rock and original shoreline are gone, but a monument currently stands in its place, located in Roger Williams Square (aka Slate Rock Park) between Gano, Power, Roger, and Williams Street. There they were greeted by members of the Narragansett Indian Tribe who exclaimed to them, “What Cheer Netop!” – meaning “hello, friend!” Sachems Canonicus and Miantonomi and the Narragansett Tribe oversaw Fox Point, and much of Rhode Island for 30,000 years before Williams. Roger and his followers acquired land use rights to Providence from the Narragansett Sachems
Fox Point became a port neighborhood by 1680 with India Point – Providence’s first port. Tea and spices from the East Indies; goods from Europe; Spermaceti oil from the whaling New England whaling industry; and the notorious Triangle Trade occurred there for most of the 18th century. During the advent of the Industrial Revolution, Fox Point became the hub of Providence’s industry. By 1817, steamboats would carry passengers between Providence, Newport, and New York, and in 1821, the Providence Steam Engine Company opened on South Mainstreet (current day Corliss Landing Condominiums). In 1835, the Boston and Providence Railroad constructed a line that carried goods and people to and fro, and later in 1837 to Stonnington, Connecticut. Many of these developments were guided much under the auspices of Mayor Samuel W. Bridgham (1832-1840), Providence’s first mayor. In 1840, The Fuller Iron Works Company appeared on Pike Street. The Providence Tool Company soon followed pursuit and was established on Wickenden Street in 1844, and the company most notably manufactured firearms, particularly during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
Many Irish immigrants made Foxpoint their home after leaving Ireland during the Great Potato Famine of 1847. There was a particular section of the Fox Point neighborhood where the Irish lived called Cork Hill, primarily the current Brook Street neighborhood. By the turn of the 19th century, Italian, Portuguese, Eastern Europeans, and Cape Verdeans began to populate Fox Point. Many of them sailed across the Atlantic on the Fabre Line, which docked and unloaded on RI State Pier No.1 on Public Street, which borders Downtown and the Washington Park neighborhood/waterfront. Cape Verdeans were among the largest demographics around South Main Street, Wickenden, and along the waterfront by the 1920s. Most of them were longshoremen. Many Cape Verdeans built Liberty Class cargo ships during World War II at the Walsh-Kaiser Co. shipyard at Fields Point. Unfortunately, many Cape Verdeans were displaced during the urban redevelopment and highway projects of the 1950s and 60s.
by Abigail Appel | Nov 6, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-3, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-8, Ward-9
This evening, the Providence City Council passed a resolution requesting that the State of Rhode Island take an active role in easing the liquor license renewal process for Rhode Island restaurants. This is another step the Providence City Council is taking to simplify this process for local businesses. The resolution was introduced by Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), Council Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8), Councilwoman Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12), Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13) and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
“Right now, we need to be doing everything we can to help local businesses stay open. Too many restaurants have been forced to close down, or are barely getting by. That is why myself and my Council colleagues have proposed this resolution to provide some relief to restaurant owners,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, restaurants in the City of Providence and throughout the State of Rhode Island have been operating under significant duress. Further adding to this hardship is the upcoming deadline for liquor license renewals which takes place on December 1 every year. This process requires not only the payment of a fee, but also a letter of good standing from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. This resolution requests that Governor Raimondo waive the requirement for a letter of good standing from the Division of Taxation.
“This resolution is an effort to remove another roadblock for restaurant owners trying to renew their liquor licenses. It is imperative that we protect the sale of alcoholic beverages at license-holding establishments as they have become integral to the business models of so many restaurants operating under pandemic restrictions,” added Councilman John Goncalves.
In September, the City Council passed a resolution requesting that the Providence Board of Licenses work with local businesses to create sustainable payment plans for liquor license renewal fees.
“With these two initiatives, it is our hope that Rhode Island restaurant owners will find some relief as their liquor licenses come up for renewal next month. I hope that leaders at the State and local levels will continue to collaborate to further support business owners in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island through the COVID-19 Pandemic,” stated Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia.
