by Council Staff | Jan 28, 2025 | Blog, Sue AnderBois
Making Providence streets safe and vibrant is deeply important to Providence City Council. In fall 2022, Council and former Mayor Elorza released the North Main Street Revitalization Study, recognizing both the economic opportunities along the corridor and intense traffic safety concerns. In early 2024, Council unanimously passed a resolution making Providence a Vision Zero city, which adopts a goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030. North Main Street has become a focal point of that work, with a rise in pedestrian-involved deadly accidents demanding urgent, focused improvements. Seeing the potential of what the future of North Main Street could be, the serious safety challenges that are an immediate emergency, and the challenging governance structure to make change, Councilor Sue AnderBois formed the North Main Street (NMS) Task Force.
“Everyone should trust that Providence streets are safe, whether they’re traveling by foot, bike, car, bus, or scooter,” said NMS Task Force Chair Sue AnderBois. “The fatal, preventable accidents on North Main Street have devastated my community and the North Main Street Task Force has acted with the urgency the situation demands.”
Through data collection and firsthand accounts, it became clear to the eleven-member committee that insufficient lighting was a major issue—and one that could be tackled quickly. Data presented by Vice-Chair Jamie Pahigian, including drone images of North Main Street at night and federal standards for pedestrian lighting, highlighted the dangerous conditions. Anecdotes from East Side residents and business owners exposed the fear and challenges when traveling on and around North Main Street.
Equipped with data and the support of Kyle Delgado, Director of Project Management for City Council, $500,000 in federal funds were allocated to execute a comprehensive lighting project. Broken light posts were repaired and existing lights were brightened, carefully balancing safety goals and light pollution concerns. Council also invested in seven strategically placed light posts at the most problematic sites, identified in part using crash data collected by the Providence Streets Coalition. These new lights on Cypress Avenue, Rochambeau Avenue, and Branch Avenue—near and on the intersection with North Main Street—will shine much-needed light on the pedestrians who travel down this major street.
“For this Council, money spent on safety measures is always money well spent,” said Director of Project Management Kyle Delgado. “Every day I help implement projects for all 15 councilors that make our neighborhoods more welcoming and beautiful places. With the North Main Street Task Force’s investments, our projects are saving lives.”
The Task Force also immediately noted that speeding is a huge concern on this road—and that while longer infrastructure changes could take time—the Providence Police Department has stepped up with greatly increased enforcement. Many drivers have been shocked to find out that the speed limit is only 25 miles per hour on North Main Street and the increased enforcement and speed sleds have been an important initial way the city has increased safety along the corridor.
At the end of 2024, the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) also addressed tripping hazards, discouraged speeding, and helped create safer crosswalks. Looking ahead, the NMS Task Force will consider increasing crosswalks, pedestrian-level lighting, among other safety measures. Improving pedestrian safety measures is just one piece of the Task Force’s work to revitalize North Main Street. Empty lots will be assessed for affordable housing opportunities, the needs of our local businesses will be gauged, and other projects will be considered through a range of medium-term plans. Across Providence, Council will continue to craft policy and invest funds to create the thriving, safe neighborhoods residents deserve. 
Photo by Kris Craig from The Providence Journal.
by Council Staff | Jan 22, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Housing, Shelley Peterson, Uncategorized
Today, the Providence Preservation Society (PPS) released their 2025 Most Endangered Places List, with a specific focus on the neighborhoods abutting Providence College: Elmhurst, Smith Hill, and Wanskuck. PPS research found that 260 parcels of land around the campus are owned by just nine landlords and developers.
In response, Providence City Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) released the following statement, expressing deep concern about the rapid gentrification of the area and the rise of real estate monopolies:
“The trends outlined in PPS’s report are alarming, but sadly, not surprising. It is unacceptable for a small handful of predatory investors to control entire streets in our city. While Ward 14 families struggle to keep up with skyrocketing rents, consolidated real estate ownership allows student housing landlords to raise prices on a whim. These exploitative buying practices have forced too many people out of the neighborhoods they were raised in, and quality of life has eroded for those that remain. I am grateful for PPS’s important work highlighting this issue. As we try to strike a balance between the needs of our transient student population and the working-class families who have lived in this community for generations, I’m committed to policy that puts people over profit. The interests of a few should never outweigh the needs of our neighbors.”
Councilwoman Peterson has prioritized student housing challenges in Ward 14 throughout her term. Early last year, she established the Student Housing Task Force after hearing quality of life concerns from her constituents residing near Providence College. The Task Force meets regularly, bringing together local community representatives and residents to discuss concerns and build policy around student housing. The next Student Housing Task Force meeting will be held on Saturday, February 15.
In addition, the Councilwoman successfully pushed for the inclusion of student housing language in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, opening avenues for tighter regulation. In November 2024, an ordinance introduced by the Councilwoman was passed that requires multi-unit dwelling owners appoint local property managers, a law that will go into effect in March of this year. Councilwoman Peterson also serves as Vice-Chair of the Council’s Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education and as a member of the Housing Crisis Task Force.
The housing crisis impacts every neighborhood of Providence, and residents across the city have voiced concern about rising rents, predatory practices, and risks of displacement. Providence City Council remains committed to pursuing bold, community-driven policy to address these urgent challenges.
by Council Staff | Jan 16, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Council News, John Goncalves, Justin Roias
Providence, RI – At tonight’s meeting, Providence City Council received Mayor Brett Smiley’s five Providence School Board appointments: Melissa Hughes (Region 1), Anjel Newmann (Region 2), Jenny Mercado (Region 3), Night Jean Muhingabo (Region 4), and Steven Williamson (Region 5). These appointments will be vetted by the Committee on Finance this month before returning to the full Council for a vote at the February 6 meeting. Following the meeting, the appointees will be sworn in at a ceremony in the Council Chambers, alongside the elected School Board members.
Additional Meeting Highlights:
El Concejo Recibe los Nombramientos para la Junta Escolar y los Remite al Comité de Finanzas para su Revisión
Providence, RI – En la reunión de esta noche, el Concejo Municipal de Providence recibió los cinco nombramientos del alcalde Brett Smiley para la Junta Escolar de Providence: Melissa Hughes (Región 1), Anjel Newmann (Región 2), Jenny Mercado (Región 3), Night Jean Muhingabo (Región 4) y Steven Williamson (Región 5). Estos nombramientos serán evaluados por el Comité de Finanzas antes de regresar al pleno del Concejo para su votación en la reunión del 6 de febrero. Después de la reunión, los designados prestarán juramento en una ceremonia en la Cámara del Concejo, junto con los miembros electos de la Junta Escolar.
Aspectos Destacados Adicionales de la Reunión:
- El concejal Justin Roias (Distrito 4) propuso enmiendas a la Ley de Relaciones entre la Policía y la Comunidad (CPRA, por sus siglas en inglés) que tienen como objetivo ampliar las protecciones para los inmigrantes indocumentados en respuesta a las preocupaciones sobre posibles detenciones masivas, deportaciones masivas e intentos de hacer un mal uso de las fuerzas del orden locales bajo la administración del presidente entrante. Las enmiendas fueron remitidas al Comité de Ordenanzas.
- El Concejo reeligió a Deborah L. Wray y a Darrell Williams para la Autoridad de Revisión Externa de Providence. Juramentaron sus cargos inmediatamente después de la reunión.
- El Concejo aprobó una resolución en apoyo de mantener a Hasbro, Inc. en Rhode Island, presentada por el diputado líder de la mayoría John Goncalves (Distrito 1). La resolución fue remitida al Comité de Salud, Oportunidades, Prosperidad y Educación.
- El concejal Justin Roias presentó una ordenanza para exigir al menos un área de estacionamiento temporal designada en cada distrito para su uso durante las prohibiciones de estacionamiento en toda la ciudad relacionadas con el clima o emergencias. La ordenanza fue remitida al Comité de Ordenanzas.
by Council Staff | Jan 9, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Housing, Justin Roias, Mary Kay Harris, Miguel Sanchez, Rachel Miller
At tonight’s meeting, Providence City Councilors approved a resolution calling on Governor Dan McKee to take immediate action and address the homelessness crisis by declaring a public health state of emergency. The resolution, introduced by Councilor Justin Roias, will be sent to the offices of Governor Dan McKee and Mayor Brett Smiley.
On Tuesday, Councilor Justin Roias and Councilor Miguel Sanchez took direct action, working with local service providers to open the Council Chamber for unhoused constituents to get warm amid plummeting, life threatening temperatures because of inadequate shelter availability. On Wednesday, the two councilors continued their efforts, opening the DaVinci Center as a temporary overnight warming center with the Mayor’s approval. Over 70 volunteers from the community have stepped up to provide donations and assist trained staff.
“This week, we saw firsthand what compassion and action can achieve when public servants and community members come together,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “Homelessness is rising, and not just in Providence. It’s a statewide crisis. Rhode Islanders are freezing on our streets, and we cannot address this alone. Governor McKee must step up and declare homelessness a public health emergency to mobilize needed resources. We need immediate investment to increase the availability of life-saving short-term solutions, and we need to come together at every level of government to address decades-long systemic failures. Further inaction will cost lives.”
“This resolution is a call for leadership at the state level because our unhoused neighbors cannot wait any longer,” said Councilor Justin Roias. “Emergency shelter beds are in short supply, and warming centers where people sit in chairs all night are not a solution – they’re a sign of how deeply our system has failed. Governor McKee must declare a public health emergency and take bold, immediate action to ensure no one else is left out in the cold.”
Additional Meeting Highlights
- Council approved a resolution, introduced by Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez, supporting the newly formed Atlantic Mills Commercial Tenants Union. The resolution celebrates the first commercial tenants’ union in the state and emphasizes its importance in the face of skyrocketing rents, displacement, and gentrification.
- Council approved a resolution, presented by Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris, honoring the life and legacy of Ruth “Diamond” Madsen. After her recent passing on December 21,2024, Council uplifts her memory as a compassionate advocate in service of the unhoused.
- Council approved a resolution, introduced by Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris and vetted by the Committee on Finance, that grants tax abatement for affordable housing project, Joseph Caffey Apartments.
- Council referred phase one of the amended zoning ordinance to the Committee on Ordinances. The suggested changes outlined in the ordinance were recommended by the City Department of Planning and Development in alignment with the City’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan.
El Concejo Aprueba una Resolución que Pide al Gobernador McKee que Declare la Falta de Vivienda como Estado de Emergencia de Salud Pública
En la reunión de esta noche, los concejales de la ciudad de Providence aprobaron una resolución que pide al gobernador Dan McKee que tome medidas inmediatas y aborde la crisis de las personas sin hogar declarando un estado de emergencia de salud pública. La resolución, presentada por el concejal Justin Roias, se enviará a las oficinas del gobernador Dan McKee y del alcalde Brett Smiley.
El martes, el concejal Justin Roias y el concejal Miguel Sánchez tomaron acción directa, trabajando con proveedores de servicios locales para abrir la Cámara del Concejo para que los electores sin vivienda se calentaran en medio de la caída de temperaturas que amenazaban sus vidas debido a la disponibilidad inadecuada de refugios. El miércoles, los dos concejales continuaron con sus esfuerzos y abrieron el DaVinci Center como un centro de calentamiento temporal durante la noche con la aprobación del alcalde. Más de 70 voluntarios de la comunidad se han ofrecido para brindar donaciones y ayudar al personal capacitado.
“Esta semana, vimos de primera mano lo que la compasión y la acción pueden lograr cuando los funcionarios públicos y los miembros de la comunidad se unen”, dijo la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller. “La falta de vivienda está aumentando, y no solo en Providence. Es una crisis estatal. Los habitantes de Rhode Island se congelan en nuestras calles y no podemos abordar esto solos. El gobernador McKee debe intensificar sus esfuerzos y declarar la falta de vivienda como una emergencia de salud pública para movilizar los recursos necesarios. Necesitamos una inversión inmediata para aumentar la disponibilidad de soluciones a corto plazo que salven vidas, y debemos unirnos en todos los niveles de gobierno para abordar fallas sistémicas que duran décadas. Una mayor inacción costará vidas.”
“Esta resolución es un llamado al liderazgo a nivel estatal porque nuestros vecinos sin hogar no pueden esperar más,” dijo el concejal Justin Roias. “Hay muy pocas camas en los refugios de emergencia, y los centros de calentamiento donde las personas se sientan en sillas toda la noche no son una solución; son una señal de cuán profundamente ha fallado nuestro sistema. El gobernador McKee debe declarar una emergencia de salud pública y tomar medidas audaces e inmediatas para garantizar que nadie más se quede afuera en el frío.”
Aspectos destacados adicionales de la reunión
- El Concejo aprobó una resolución, presentada por el jefe de la mayoría Miguel Sánchez, en apoyo al recién formado sindicato de inquilinos comerciales de Atlantic Mills. La resolución celebra el primer sindicato de inquilinos comerciales del estado y destaca su importancia frente al aumento vertiginoso de los alquileres, el desplazamiento y la gentrificación.
- El Concejo aprobó una resolución, presentada por la diputada líder de la mayoría Mary Kay Harris, en honor a la vida y el legado de Ruth “Diamond” Madsen. Después de su reciente fallecimiento el 21 de diciembre de 2024, el Concejo enaltece su memoria como defensora compasiva al servicio de las personas sin hogar.
- El Concejo aprobó una resolución, presentada por la diputada líder de la mayoría Mary Kay Harris y examinada por el Comité de Finanzas, que otorga una reducción de impuestos para el proyecto de vivienda asequible, Joseph Caffey Apartments.
- El Concejo remitió la Concejo remitió la primera fase de la ordenanza de zonificación enmendada al Comité de Ordenanzas. Los cambios sugeridos que se describen en la ordenanza fueron recomendados por el Departamento de Planificación y Desarrollo de la Ciudad en consonancia con el Plan Integral 2024 de la Ciudad.
by Council Staff | Jan 8, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Justin Roias, Miguel Sanchez
Tuesday, January 7, 2024
Councilors Sanchez and Roias are Calling for a Public Health State of Emergency
As frigid temperatures sweep across Rhode Island, Providence City Councilors Justin Roias and Miguel Sanchez will open the City Council Chamber tonight at 7 pm to host a community gathering space away from the cold. Councilors Sanchez and Roias have worked closely with local homelessness service providers to ensure trained volunteers will be on-hand throughout the night, continuing to provide the space for as long as residents need it. Those who come by will be offered transportation and assistance accessing shelter beds, should they be available.
In the past year alone, 54 unhoused residents have lost their lives living outside. Councilors Sanchez and Roias are taking this action to help save lives.
“As a polar vortex grips Providence, many of our unhoused neighbors are being forced to sleep outside in dangerous temperatures,” said Councilor Justin Roias (Ward 4). “With only two 24/7 emergency shelters open, the response from the mayor and governor has been woefully inadequate. This failure has left us no choice but to take the unprecedented step of opening the City Council chambers as a community gathering space where folks are able to stay warm during freezing temperatures.”
“As local elected leaders, we cannot allow our neighbors to freeze to death on our streets,” said Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “No one in our city should endure these deadly conditions because of a failure of government to protect its people. We call on the mayor and governor to immediately expand emergency shelter capacity and commit to long-term solutions to address homelessness in our community. This is a preventable crisis, and every moment of inaction puts lives at risk. We’re calling on Governor McKee to declare a Public Health Emergency by executive order immediately.”
Unhoused Rhode Islanders are in crisis. The recently released 2024 Point in Time Count, compiled by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reports that Rhode Island has the second highest rate of chronic homelessness in the nation.
Councilors Roias and Sanchez are demanding life-saving action from the state, calling on Governor Dan McKee to declare homelessness a state of emergency for public health and unlock essential resources for short- and long-term relief and care for unhoused individuals.
In lieu of state action, Providence City Councilors are committed to doing what they can to support unhoused community through both direct action and compassionate, housing first policy.
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