by Abigail Appel | Sep 17, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-8, Ward-9
The Providence Tax Stabilization Investment Act creates a streamlined and transparent process to incentivize development and further grow Providence’s tax base
PROVIDENCE, RI (September 17, 2020)…Providence City Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), along with a majority of her Council Colleagues including President Pro Tem Michael Correia (Ward 6), Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 12), and Councilors Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilman David Salvatore (Ward 14), Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Katherine Kerwin (Ward 12), Rachel Miller (Ward 13), James E. Taylor (Ward 8), Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10) and John Goncalves (Ward 1) tonight introduced an ordinance entitled the Providence Tax Stabilization Investment Act.
The Providence Tax Stabilization Investment Act (The Act) would standardize the processes for all future Tax Stabilization Agreements (TSAs) in the City of Providence by increasing transparency, simplifying and streamlining the application process, and clearly defining the requirements that all developers must abide by should they wish to obtain a stabilization agreement with the City. The proposed legislation will create a tax stabilization system that not only protects our City’s financial interests but also incentivizes new development.
Council President Sabina Matos stated, “Over the past several years, my colleagues and I have grown increasingly frustrated with the existing TSA process as it has resulted in confusion for developers and Providence residents alike. This legislation sets clear expectations to developers from the get go and codifies them all in one section under our Code of Ordinances. By providing clear expectations and terms from the onset of an application for a tax stabilization agreement, the Council can better monitor and enforce the terms of the agreement that are meant to empower the communities that work and live in Providence. Furthermore, by streamlining this process developers will find it easier to move here, create more good-paying jobs, and grow our tax base.”
The Act is intended to balance economic development with responsible employment practices in order to increase the city’s tax base while revitalizing our existing communities. In order to advance this mission, it is vital that the city provide developers, entrepreneurs, and investors with a predictable TSA process which clearly defines both the procedure to obtain a TSA as well as the requirements that will be imposed should a property be granted such an agreement.
“I am very proud of the work we have done to create a crystal clear and reliable process that incentivizes development and defines community benefits,” stated City Councilor Rachel Miller. “When Providence forgoes tax dollars to support development, we should be able to trace the positive impact of that investment in our communities and to city residents. At the same time, developers should be able to rely on a predictable process. The Act is a tremendous step in both directions. The ordinance is the result of an intensive collaborative process between the Council, Council staff, the Solicitor’s Office, and the City’s Planning Department, and I look forward to a rigorous discussion of its merits with my colleagues and with city residents.”
About the Providence Tax Stabilization Investment Act:
The Act will tie the length of TSAs to the amount of investment being made in the City of Providence, and it will standardize the process by which TSAs are reviewed and approved. This includes citywide departmental review before reaching the Council, as well as a clearly defined list of documentation that a developer must provide at the outset of the application.
In addition to procedural changes, the proposed legislation condenses a number of existing requirements on TSAs into one section of the Providence Code of Ordinances to eliminate confusion. These requirements include the criteria all developers will be held to if they want a TSA, such as hiring Minority and Women Business Enterprises, paying prevailing wage during construction, and defining specific reporting timelines to ensure compliance. There are also specific designations for the taxes generated from stabilized properties, which includes 1% of all taxes for First Source, 10% for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and 7% for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. While these designations have been designated by ordinance in the past, the new legislation places them directly in the section of the Ordinances governing TSAs in order to eliminate any uncertainty regarding where TSA taxes must go.
Finally, the Act establishes a very specific notice and cure provision in order to increase the enforcement capabilities of the Council so that they can exercise greater control over compliance with all of the terms and conditions of each TSA.
by Abigail Appel | Sep 17, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15, Ward-4
At a special ceremony in the City Council chambers this evening, Providence Police Officer Jose Deschamps was honored with the Council’s Municipal Medal for Deeds of Bravery. An ordinance was introduced by Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr, (Ward 4) and Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15) at the September 3 Council meeting to recognize Officer Deschamps for his exemplary conduct in the line of duty.
On August 13, Officer Jose Deschamps was responding to a motor vehicle incident at the intersection of Narragansett Avenue and New York Avenue. After arriving on the scene, Officer Deschamps was approached by a man seeking assistance with an unresponsive child and provided lifesaving CPR, which helped stabilize the 8-month-old boy.
“The Municipal Medal for Deeds of Bravery was created to honor City Officers, Employees or any deserving individual for preforming an act of bravery and valor. Officer Deschamps’ actions on August 13 to save the life of an infant boy displayed this bravery and valor for which the City of Providence is incredibly grateful,” stated Council President Sabina Matos.
This award was codified into the Providence City Charter in 1915 and since then, the medal has only been bestowed twice in documented City history. The first was to Patrolman John Kelly who saved a 10-year-old boy from drowning in 1918 and the second was to a group of firemen who saved a seven-month-old girl who stopped breathing in 2016.
The medal was hand crafted by Olneyville artist Kiki Scuillo and features the City Council seal representing industry, watchfulness and peace as well as a commemorative seal of honor and heroism.
Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. shared, “Officer Deschamps is a shining example of the good work that our dedicated men and women in uniform do every day in our City. Officer Deschamps saved that baby boy and saved an entire family from a tragic loss. I hope that this recognition will serve as a reminder of how important and vital our men and women of the Providence Police Department are to the fabric of our City. We are incredibly grateful to Officer Deschamps for his honorable, brave actions”.
by Abigail Appel | Sep 14, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) today is excited to announce the collaboration between the community and The Avenue Concept, Rhode Island’s leading public art organization, for a pilot project that has brought art to the campus of the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School.
“As a proud alumnus of Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, and as an educator, and now the Councilman for Ward 1, I am thrilled to work with The Avenue Concept to bring beauty, art, and inspiration to the campus of the school as the kids start school this fall” stated Councilman John Goncalves. “There is a proverb that says: Where there is no vision, the people shall perish. I believe that rings true, and we need to have visionary partners like The Avenue Concept and Vartan Gregorian parents to help invest in our community spaces. This investment helps lift spirits, sparks joy, and gives our families and children pride in place.”
The pilot program, which has been completed was supported by Councilman Goncalves Neighborhood Infrastructure Funding, the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School PTO, and other community benefactors reimagines the front entrance of the school. The project includes a vinyl geometric fox (the school’s mascot) mural, designed by Myles Dumas, on the front doors and the repainting of the school’s front bench, planter border, and the planting of a new magnolia tree. Using bright and bold colors, The Avenue Concept and their design team will give the space new life.
“Projects like these are a win-win because they help highlight the value that both public art and public schools bring to our communities,” said Yarrow Thorne, founder and executive director of The Avenue Concept. “By enlivening the built environment around the school, we enhance the experience for students, teachers, and staff, and draw attention to the school from the surrounding community, encouraging all to engage with this public space.”
The Community Team for this project includes Yarrow Thorne, Executive Director of The Avenue Concept, Myles Dumas, Design Director at NAIL and the Vartan Gregorian parent who designed the geometric fox, Matthew Russo, Principal of Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, Jack Rusley, Co-Chair of Building and Grounds Committee and a VG Parent, Vartan Gregorian Elementary School PTO, Amy Mendillo of the Fox Point Neighborhood Association and a VG Parent, Vin Scorziello of the Fox Point Merchants Association, and Councilman John Goncalves. The team has a vision for not just the school but also areas adjacent to the school.
“Our school community is proud that this unique design is representative of the Fox Point Neighborhood,” stated Principal Matthew Russo. “We are fortunate to have such a supportive PTO that is committed to enriching the lives of every student at Vartan Gregorian Elementary School.”
Councilman Goncalves has also supported projects improving the inner appearance of the school, in particular the transformation of the inner courtyard of the school into a functional outdoor classroom, an effort lead by Vartan Gregorian parent and Co-Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, Naz Firoz. “With fresh air more important than ever for children as they start school this fall, professional landscaping was necessary to clear invasive vines and overgrown trees from classroom windows and doors opening into the inner courtyard, and Councilman Goncalves was instrumental in making this happen. We are lucky to have such engaged parents, a supportive principal, and enthusiastic community leaders such as Councilman Goncalves and The Avenue Concept who want to improve the student experience not only now, but also for the future. I know that big changes take time, and these small but significant steps will help build momentum as we continue to move forward with other projects.”
The Avenue Concept is now raising funds for additional projects, including a new design of the school’s side entrance, which would include painting the new doors and creating a selfie wall that would make students feel empowered and have a little more fun at drop-off and pick-up. The third project would be at the corner entrance, where artists will transform the cement benches into whimsical mosaics using ceramic tiles to cover the benches. The fourth project would be to create a new large-scale mural by a professional muralist on the East Street Side of the School. The final bonus project would be to repaint the school’s electric boxes and dumpsters to turn these drab objects into stunning works of arts.
If you are interested in supporting these additional projects, visit The Avenue Concept and please donate online at www.theavenueconcept.org and in the notes write “VG Public Art.”
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by Abigail Appel | Sep 10, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-11
As the Chairwoman of the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning, I would first like to apologize for the confusion caused by last night’s committee meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the proposed Council resolution opposing the Rhode Island Department of Transportation’s plans for a multi-hub bus system in Downtown Providence.
While the committee planned to hear from Rhode Island Department of Transportation representatives, concerned Council members and community members on the proposed multi-hub bus system, miscommunication regarding the nature of this meeting created an issue.
Last night’s meeting was not formally advertised as a public hearing. This means that the details of the meeting and its agenda were not circulated widely enough to ensure that any concerned community member would have the opportunity to share their thoughts with the committee. Moving forward, the URRP Committee will be working with the Clerk’s office to schedule a legitimate public hearing and advertise it as such.
Although there were many concerned community members ready to speak last night, I have no doubt that there are more residents out there who would also like to share their thoughts, and we owe it to them to provide that opportunity.
While the Providence City Council has no authority over this matter, as it is a State transit plan, our goal is to facilitate stakeholder discussions and act as a community liaison between transit riders and the Department of Transportation. I look forward to facilitating this important community discussion.
Mary Kay Harris
Deputy Majority Leader-Providence City Council
Chairwoman- Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal and Planning
Councilwoman- Ward 11
by Abigail Appel | Sep 9, 2020 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
I am deeply concerned about the recent allegations of contaminated soil being used in the construction of the 6-10 Connector in Olneyville. This breech of public health and safety puts workers, public safety officials, and residents at risk.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified; socio-economic status and health outcomes are deeply connected.
Any development or construction projects should be conducted with utmost attention to public health and safety. Actions taken to bring truckloads of contaminated soil into Olneyville have done the opposite, and have endangered a neighborhood that is already at-risk.
I am calling on RIDOT and RIDEM to remedy this public health hazard as quickly as possible and that they work towards addressing this type of preventable danger on all future projects.
The City of Providence will not accept anything less than the highest standards of professionalism and care from any party looking to perform, or performing work, in our neighborhoods.
Sabina Matos
Council President
Councilwoman-Ward 15
Providence City Council
