by Council Staff | May 29, 2025 | Althea Graves, Blog, Juan M. Pichardo, Mary Kay Harris, Rachel Miller
As one of the oldest cities in all of New England, Providence holds a rich history that is visible in every corner of the city—from the oldest Baptist church in the country, to the 19th century architecture throughout our iconic neighborhoods. On the fifth floor of City Hall, this history comes to life through the nearly 40,000 cubic feet of records preserved by the Providence City Archives, one of the many distinct entities that falls under the oversight of the City Council.
More than a collection of materials spanning centuries, they are a living memory of our city’s history and people who made it, many of whom have never gotten the recognition they deserve. Throughout her tenure as council president, Rachel Miller has worked closely with City Archivist Caleb Horton to showcase these items in exhibits that honor communities whose stories have historically been relegated to the margins and celebrate their immense contributions to Providence.
The latest installment of this ongoing partnership is coming up in June to commemorate Pride Month. Personal letters, news articles, and more will be on display on the third floor of City Hall to highlight the lives and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ elected officials in Providence. As the most diverse City Council in Providence history—led by Council President Miller, the first openly queer person and second woman to hold the position—it should come as no surprise that celebrating diverse perspectives is a priority.
Under the leadership of Council President Miller, Archives presented the first Pride Month exhibit in June 2023, which explored the experiences of gay Black men in the state over the span of 100 years. Other recent collaborations between Council and Archives demonstrate a shared commitment to understanding our past as we build an inclusive future.
This work and commitment extend to all of the many diverse communities that make our city strong. Led by President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo, the Special Commission on Veterans Affairs has worked with Archives to host re-dedication ceremonies at memorials throughout the city. In recent years, Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris and Councilwoman Althea Graves have helped develop Black History Month exhibits that invite the public to learn about the everyday life of 20th century African Americans, the history of abolitionism in the area, and the fight for voting rights in Rhode Island.
These programs not only present a more nuanced view of the past that what many of us learned in formal settings — they are carefully crafted to ensure that our city’s diverse residents can see themselves in leaders of the past and feel inspired to push for positive change in the future.
Join us in June for an exhibit and event for Pride Month and stay tuned for other collaborations to come. Learn more about the Providence City Archive through the extensive collection of digitized materials. For any research questions, or to learn how you can share your items from Providence’s past, email the Archives team at archivist@providenceri.gov.
by Council Staff | May 29, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Juan M. Pichardo
Last night, City Council’s Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education (HOPE), chaired by President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo, met to discuss a resolution in support of RI House Bill H-5335, which would return the Providence Public School District (PPSD) to local control this July.
After receiving testimony from officials representing the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), PPSD, the Providence School Board, and the mayor’s administration, the committee voted to continue the resolution indefinitely, citing widespread agreement that the city is well on the right track to resume governance of the school district in July 2026.
Presentations from RIDE and PPSD focused on gains in student outcomes and school performance across the district in 2024. PPSD was the only district in the state to show improvements on all major standardized assessments—ELA and math RICAS, and the SAT. Providence also led the state in reducing chronic absenteeism, and seven schools improved their star ratings. Notably, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School, the first elementary school in PPSD to receive the distinction.
This presentation, as well as recent collaborative work between the various partners and stakeholders, bolstered the committee’s confidence that the city’s public schools are on the right path toward a successful transition next year.
“Providence’s students, families, and teachers are delivering results,” said Chairman Juan M. Pichardo. “This committee and the full Council are committed to working with RIDE, PPSD, the Mayor’s Office, the School Board, and community partners to do the hard work required to build on that progress, and ensure that local control is set up for long-term success. We believe that will be possible next year.”
In other business, the Committee unanimously passed a resolution opposing proposed funding cuts to the U.S. Department of Education, reaffirming the Council’s commitment to protecting public education and advocating for strong federal investment in Providence schools.
by Council Staff | May 20, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Miguel Sanchez, Rachel Miller
This week, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller picketed with SEIU 1199 NE workers who are currently striking for better wages and working conditions at Butler Hospital. Under the leadership of Council President Miller, this council has demonstrated time again its steadfast commitment to the rights of Providence workers to organize and collectively bargain.
Monday marked the fifth day of demonstrations by striking workers outside Butler, and the third day the council president marched alongside them. Her appearance yesterday followed reports that several workers were fined $500 for noise violations while exercising their right to demonstrate for a fair contract. Today, media reported on a letter sent from hospital management to striking workers that their health coverage will be terminated on May 31. The council president condemns both of these punitive and reactionary measures in the strongest possible terms, and reiterates the council’s firm support for union members to peacefully demonstrate without fear of reprisal.
“These striking workers are fighting back against unfair wages and unsafe conditions, in keeping with the long, proud tradition of organized labor in this country and here in Providence,” said Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “Unfortunately, the bosses have also kept up their own tradition: a tradition of bad faith, suppression, and cowardice. And now, we have learned that management is taking the cruel and unnecessary step of cancelling health insurance for striking employees, an irony for these essential healthcare workers that should enrage us all. I am proud to stand with these workers, and proud to serve on a City Council that recognizes the fundamental right to collectively bargain, struggle, and win.”
Councilors also commend the demonstrating workers for their commitment to making their voices heard in a way that minimizes disruption for the surrounding neighborhood. To this end, organizers have chosen to observe quiet hours before 8:00 AM and avoid the use of bullhorns or other noisemakers during that time. This willingness to respond to appeals from the community sets an example from which hospital management could draw a valuable lesson – meaningful progress is possible when built on a foundation of compassion and mutual respect. But that conversation is only possible when both sides are willing to listen.
“The striking employees at Butler perform demanding work often under extraordinary stress. They deserve a fair contract and have every right to organize toward that goal,” said Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), who represents the surrounding area. “I and many of my colleagues on the City Council stand in solidarity with the Butler employees, and we are grateful to both law enforcement and the demonstrators for ensuring that the workers’ essential right to strike is exercised peacefully and with respect for our neighbors.”
Councilors will continue to defend the rights of striking union members and amplify the voices and struggles of organized workers throughout the city. As they say on the picket line, ‘no contract, no peace.’
by Council Staff | May 15, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Housing, Jo-Ann Ryan, John Goncalves, Miguel Sanchez, Rachel Miller
At tonight’s meeting, Providence City Council granted final passage of an ordinance which will ban the use of price-fixing rental algorithms in the city. This software, developed and sold by companies like RealPage and used by corporate landlords to drive up rents, risks exacerbating the affordability crisis for Providence renters, already the most-overburdened renters in the country.
“It’s no secret that large, corporate landlords – the kind of that have been gobbling up properties in our city for years – will use every available tool to minimize competition and maximize profits,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “Companies like RealPage enable this price-fixing by using algorithms to do what would be illegal between human beings. It’s a loophole that needs closing and, as a renter myself, I’m proud that Providence is joining the growing list of American cities who have acted on this needed protection.”
Here’s how it works: a handful of large, often out-of-state private firms make bulk purchases of property across the city; as more and more units are concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer landlords, the ability of these large firms to influence and manipulate the broader housing market becomes greater; as the number of units under their control increases, landlords turn over rent-setting to algorithms that comb through public market and private competitor data to determine how high they can go; then, as more landlords use the same software to set rents, it creates a feedback loop using all of their private data which leads to pricing patterns that drive rents higher and higher.
To make matters worse, we know based on a 2022 ProPublica report that the largest landlords in the country, the folks who have been consolidating properties in Providence and who use software like this, favor markets like Providence where rents are already skyrocketing. The same report found that these rental algorithms will sometimes recommend landlords let units sit vacant in order to create even greater scarcity in the market.
Normally, collusion of this kind would be indisputably illegal, but landlords are exploiting a dangerous loophole—using an algorithm to avoid getting in a room together to fix prices. This is a growing problem in metro areas around the country, which is why last year the U.S. Department of Justice, under then-President Biden, filed suit against RealPage and a group of corporate landlords, arguing that this type of software distorts competition and props up artificially high rents. Among the landlords named in that lawsuit are Cushman & Wakefield and Willow Bridge, both of which own properties in the Providence market.
It’s also why five other major American cities have already banned the use of price-fixing tools like those offered by RealPage. Tonight, Providence becomes the sixth such city to secure this protection for renters. Providence City Council continues to take real, meaningful action on behalf of the 60% of Providence residents who rent – with much more to come.
Tonight, councilors also passed an ordinance adopting the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Budget for Program Year 2025-26, and authorizing the city to submit its annual CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solution Grant, and Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS grant applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The total CDBG allocation is $5,340,000 for more than a dozen local organizations serving the Providence community.
Finally, councilors granted unanimous passage to a resolution introduced by Senior Deputy Majority Leader John Goncalves recognizing May as Jewish Heritage Month. Jewish Heritage Month is celebrated each may to honor and acknowledge the many contributions of Jewish Americans to the culture and history of the United States.
“The Providence City Council is a body of 15 distinct members who represent diverse voices, neighborhoods and opinions,” said Senior Deputy Majority Leader John Goncalves (Ward 1), the measure’s sponsor, who rose to speak in support of the resolution. “In the face of rising antisemitism, I’m proud to have introduced this resolution to say clearly to our Jewish neighbors: you belong here in Providence, we value you and your contributions, and your presence strengthens the very fabric of Providence.”
Additional Meeting Highlights:
- Introduction and passage of a resolution from Council President Rachel Miller that authorizes the City Council to engage one or more groups to conduct a housing assessment informing the best future use of the property located at 99 Kenyon Street, the former Carl G. Lauro building. City Council continues to vet the proposed Excel Academy lease and listen to the voices of affected constituencies. As a part of this, it is necessary to explore all possible uses of the building, including its potential as a site for housing. The Carl G. Lauro building is a fixture in the Federal Hill neighborhood, and a very large property at a time when the cost of land and development is at an all-time high. It is critical that we use it in a way that benefits the working families of Providence, and especially Federal Hill and the West End. Council will continue to vet the proposal in front of it and explore all of the options until they are confident that its future use is in the best interest of the people they serve.
- Passage of a resolution introduced by Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) urging passage by the General Assembly of H-5473 and S-0329, which would create an additional tax rate of 3% on taxable income for the state’s highest earners beginning in tax year 2026.
- Passage of two resolutions establishing honorary renaming of Providence streets. The first resolution will rename parts of Camp Street to Donald “Danny” Lopes Way, in recognition of the life and legacy of former Providence City Councilman Donald Lopes, Sr. The second resolution will rename Laura Street to “Algonquin Way” in honor of Algonquin House.
- Introduction of an ordinance by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) which would authorize the creation of a Design Standards Committee to establish design standards for new construction. It was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
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El Concejo Municipal Prohíbe el Uso de Algoritmos para la Fijación de Alquileres
En la reunión de esta noche, el Concejo Municipal de Providence aprobó por ultima vez una ordenanza que prohibirá el uso de algoritmos de fijación de precios de alquiler en la ciudad. Este software, desarrollado y vendido por empresas como RealPage y utilizado por arrendadores corporativos para aumentar los alquileres, podría empeorar la crisis de viviendas para los inquilinos de Providence, que ya son los más sobrecargados del país.
“No es ningún secreto que los grandes arrendadores corporativos, aquellos que llevan años acumulando propiedades en nuestra ciudad, utilizarán todas las herramientas disponibles para minimizar la competencia y maximizar sus ganancias,” declaró la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller. “Empresas como RealPage facilitan esta fijación de precios con el uso de algoritmos para lograr lo que sería ilegal entre personas. Es una escapatoria legal que debe cerrarse y, como inquilina, estoy orgulloso de que Providence se una a la creciente lista de ciudades estadounidenses que han tomado medidas para realizar esta necesaria protección.”
Así es como funciona: unas pocas empresas privadas grandes, a menudo de otros estados, realizan compras masivas de propiedades en toda la ciudad; a medida que más y más unidades se concentran en manos de cada vez menos propietarios, aumenta la capacidad de estas grandes empresas para influir y manipular el mercado inmobiliario; a medida que aumenta el numero de unidades bajo su control, los propietarios entregan la fijación de alquileres a algoritmos que analizan los datos del mercado público y de los competidores privados para determinar el precio máximo que pueden alcanzar; luego, a medida que más propietarios usan el mismo software para fijar los alquileres, se crea un ciclo que utiliza todos sus datos privados, lo que genera patrones de precios que hacen que los alquileres suban cada vez más.
Para colmo, sabemos, según un informe de ProPublica de 2022, que los mayores propietarios del país, quienes han estado consolidando propiedades en Providence y utilizan software como este, prefieren mercados como Providence, donde los alquileres ya se están disparando. El mismo informe descubrió que estos algoritmos de alquiler a veces recomiendan que los propietarios dejen las unidades vacías para crear una escasez aún mayor en el mercado.
Normalmente, este tipo de colusión seria indiscutiblemente ilegal, pero los propietarios están aprovechando una peligrosa escapatoria legal—usando un algoritmo para evitar reunirse en persona y fijar precios. Este es un problema creciente en las ciudades de todo el país, por lo que el año pasado el Departamento de Justicia de EE. UU., bajo la presidencia de Biden, presentó una demanda contra RealPage y un grupo de arrendadores corporativos, argumentando que este tipo de software distorsiona la competencia y eleva artificialmente los alquileres. Entre los arrendadores mencionados en la demanda se encuentran Cushman & Wakefield y Willow Bridge, ambos propietarios de propiedades en el mercado de Providence.
Es también la razón por la que otras cinco grandes ciudades estadounidenses ya han prohibido el uso de herramientas de fijación de precios como las que ofrece RealPage. Esta noche, Providence se convierte en la sexta ciudad en garantizar esta protección para los inquilinos. El Concejo de Providence sigue tomando medidas reales y significativas en nombre del 60 % de los residentes de Providence que alquilan, y hay muchas más por venir.
Esta noche, los concejales también aprobaron una ordenanza que adopta el Presupuesto de Subvenciones en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CDBG, por sus siglas en ingles) de la ciudad para el Año Programático 2025-26 y autoriza a la ciudad a presentar sus solicitudes anuales de subvenciones CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Subvenciones para Soluciones de Emergencia y Oportunidades de Vivienda para Personas con SIDA al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos. La asignación total de CDBG es de $5,340,000 para más de una docena de organizaciones locales que prestan servicios a la comunidad de Providence.
Finalmente, los concejales aprobaron por unanimidad una resolución presentada por el Senior Vicelíder de la Mayoría John Goncalves, que reconoce mayo como el Mes de la Herencia Judía. Este mes se celebra cada mes de mayo para honrar y reconocer las numerosas contribuciones de los judíos estadounidenses a la cultura y la historia de Estados Unidos.
“El Concejo de Providence es un cuerpo legislativo de 15 miembros quien representan voces diversas, vecindarios y opiniones diversas,” dijo el Senior Vicelíder de la Mayoría John Goncalves (Distrito 1), el patrocinador de la medida, quien hablo en pleno en apoyo de la resolución. “Ante el creciente antisemitismo, me enorgullece haber presentado esta resolución para decirles claramente a nuestros vecinos judíos: su lugar en Providence es nuestro, los valoramos a ustedes y a sus contribuciones, y su presencia fortalece la esencia misma de Providence.”
Puntos destacados adicionales de la reunión:
- Presentación y aprobación de una resolución de la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller que autoriza al Concejo a contratar a uno o más grupos para realizar una evaluación de vivienda que determine el mejor uso futuro de la propiedad ubicada en 99 Kenyon Street, el antiguo edificio Carl G. Lauro. El Concejo continúa examinando el contrato de arrendamiento propuesto para Excel Academy y escuchando las opiniones de los grupos afectados. Como parte de esto, es necesario explorar todos los posibles usos del edificio, incluyendo su potencial como vivienda. El edificio Carl G. Lauro es importante para el vecindario de Federal Hill y una propiedad de gran tamaño en un momento en que el costo del terreno y el desarrollo están en su nivel más alto. Es crucial que lo utilicemos de forma que beneficie a las familias trabajadoras de Providence, y especialmente a Federal Hill y el West End. El Concejo continuará examinando la propuesta que tiene ante sí y explorando todas las opciones hasta que esté seguro de que su uso futuro beneficia a las personas a las que sirve.
- Aprobación de una resolución presenta por el Jefe de la Mayoría miguel sanchez (Distrito 6) instando a la aprobación por parte de la Asamblea General de H-5473 y S-0329, que crearía una tasa impositiva adicional del 3% sobre los ingresos imponibles para las personas con mayores ingresos del estado a partir del año fiscal 2026.
- Aprobación de dos resoluciones que establecen el cambio de nombre honorario de dos calles de Providence. La primera resolución cambiará el nombre de partes de Camp Street a Donald “Danny” Lopes Way, en reconocimiento a la vida y el legado del exconcejal municipal de Providence, Donald Lopes, Sr. La segunda resolución cambiará el nombre de Laura Street a “Algonquin Way” en honor a Algonquin House.
- La concejala Jo-Ann Ryan (Distrito 5) presentó una ordenanza que autorizaría la creación de un Comité de Normas de Diseño para establecer normas de diseño para nuevas construcciones. La ordenanza fue remitida al Comité de Ordenanzas.
by Council Staff | May 2, 2025 | Blog, Justin Roias, Rachel Miller
As city leaders, Providence City Councilors make decisions every week that affect the lives and livelihoods of Providence residents. But standing up for our city’s values goes beyond the routine work of legislating. In a diverse, working city like Providence, councilors’ role as advocates is about more than any one ordinance or resolution – it’s about showing up.
In April, Councilor Justin Roias stood before the Paul Cuffee Board of Trustees to speak in support of educators at Cuffee Upper and Lower Schools who are currently in the process of unionizing. In October and December of 2024, these workers voted overwhelmingly to join the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals. Since then, they have been met with misdirection, legal maneuvering, and disrespect.
City Councilors have long supported the right of Providence workers to unionize, which is why Council recently voted unanimous passage of two resolutions in support of such efforts at Cuffee and Highlander Charter schools – the latest of thirteen total union support resolutions passed this term. To underscore this overwhelmingly support, Councilor Roias hand-delivered the Cuffee resolution to the board on April 24th and spoke in support of the right of all workers to collectively bargain for fair pay and better treatment.
“I’m not here to tell you what to do,” said Roias, appearing before the Cuffee Board. “Only you can make that decision. I’m not here to shame or preach. I’m here to proudly say, on behalf of the City of Providence, that workers have the right to organize in this city. In this city, we stand with educators who want fair wages and conditions, not only for themselves but so that they can, with confidence and dignity, carry out the noble and often thankless task of preparing our next generation to thrive and to lead.”
Under the leadership of Council President Rachel Miller, Providence City Council has been a champion for labor and those seeking to make their voices heard — marching and picketing with labor allies and showing up for working people who want and need the strength of a union to help secure better conditions. From teachers and educators to staff at a local news station, postdoctoral workers at Brown University, and Starbucks employees, this council has demonstrated time and again its committed to supporting and uplifting efforts to organize and unionize.
It should come as no surprise that Council President Miller has led this support. More than twenty years ago, it was her advocacy for workers’ rights that first brought her to Providence. As a former union organizer herself, Miller knows firsthand the challenges, pressures, and threats faced by workers who dare to make themselves heard. This week – as we celebrated International Workers Day – and every week, the City of Providence celebrates that daring and stands with all those seeking to organize for a better workplace and world.
For the educators at Paul Cuffee and Highlander schools, and all those demanding the respect they deserve, Providence City Council will keep showing up to defend this most essential right.
