by Abigail Appel | Apr 12, 2022 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
“I would like to thank Governor McKee, Commerce Secretary Pryor, Mayor Elorza, and the team at High Rock Development for their leadership in revitalizing the iconic Superman building in the heart of Downtown Providence.
I look forward to engaging with stakeholders and community members as we move forward with this process to bring this hallmark of the Providence skyline back to life. This moment is a unique and exciting opportunity to boost our local economy and reinvigorate Downtown and the City of Providence,” Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1).
by Council Staff | Jan 20, 2022 | Council News, Ward-4
After sitting abandoned for more than a decade, the former Windmill Street School on Paul Street is getting a new look and name. Tonight, the Providence City Council passed a resolution renaming the school, “The Narducci Learning Center.” Refurbishing the 80-year-old school has been a passion project for Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci throughout his 16 years on the City Council. Now, thanks to his tireless work and the efforts of the City Council’s Finance Committee, the school is undergoing a $30.5 million renovation, with plans to re-open in the fall of 2023.
The Narducci family has deep ties to the building and a life-long commitment to the north end and the city of Providence. In fact, the Councilman’s father attended the school in the 1940’s, and his mother and wife, both worked as lunch aides for decades. Councilman Narducci himself was heavily involved with little league, football, and other extracurricular activities for the students and families of the school.
“It means so much to my family, to create a lasting legacy in the neighborhood we love and have belonged to for generations,” said Councilman Narducci. “This beautiful building stands in the middle of Ward 4 and serves as a symbol of the resiliency and spirit of the people here. I would like to thank President John Igliozzi for sponsoring this for my family, and all the co-sponsors. It means a lot to my family, past, and present.”
by Abigail Appel | Jan 14, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Ward-7
At tonight’s emergency meeting of the Providence City Council, councilors reviewed a proposed ordinance laying out new procedures and accountability in the event of mass terminations in the city. The proposed law was read into the record, discussed, and referred to the Finance Committee for further consideration.
“The City Council encourages all Providence employees to get vaccinated. I’m pleased and relieved no police officers were fired today. Our city neighborhoods are safer and more secure as a result. From the beginning, this action was about maintaining public safety and the risk to our city from potentially firing more than 70 police officers. The Council will monitor the situation closely and make sure the mayor and his administration have a concrete plan should they consider a mass firing of officers in the days and weeks ahead.
by Abigail Appel | Jan 11, 2022 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
Today, I’m respectfully asking Governor McKee, Chairman Robert Davis, and the members of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission to consider final decisions on the development of Providence land happen “with the community” rather than simply “to the community.”
Over the past several months, our office has been working diligently to engage and inform the residents of Ward 1 on the development of Parcel 2, located along the Providence River at the edge of the College Hill and Fox Point neighborhoods. We have hosted virtual community meetings with each of the proposed developers and hundreds of community participants. Additionally, we have had ongoing discussions with the I-195 Redevelopment District, and we’ve held small meetings with each of the developers and neighborhood abutters who live near the site. We recently released a digital survey and received feedback via 75 written comments from neighborhood residents across the Ward. A letter sent to Commission with condensed feedback includes these concerns:
•The height of the three proposals is at odds with the community
•Lack of parking
•More green space is needed
“I am very cognizant of the complexities and the shifts in the market in light of the pandemic and deeply support economic growth and the creation of more residential housing stock in our city to address our ongoing housing crisis. However, residents who care deeply about our neighborhood should not bear the brunt of top-down development decisions that will have enormous implications on our neighborhoods for decades to come,” said Councilman Goncalves.
“I join with and share in the concerns of Councilman Goncalves and the community regarding the development of Parcel 2. It is critical that the I-195 Commission listen to the voices of the neighborhood and address community feedback in considering projects for this land,” said House Majority Leader, Christopher Blazejewski.
Moreover, concerns loom about the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission diverting from the original mission of creating a true Providence Innovation & Design District and life-sciences mecca full of vibrant “knowledge-based” jobs in information technology, engineering, biomedical, biotechnology, and other fast-growing sectors. In letters both to the Governor and the Commission, I respectfully request we:
•Formalize and establish a task force/commission of neighborhood abutters/representatives and local businesses who can help the commission develop Requests for Proposals
•Creating a panel of neighborhood experts with expertise in architectural design, zoning, planning, development, and historic preservation to ensure exceptional architecture, design, and sensitivity to the historic vibrancy of our neighborhood to complement the commission’s urban design consultants and Downtown Design Review Committee (DDRC) review during the Design Review Process
•A more comprehensive road planning and development plan is required to proactively address, and mitigate concerns of traffic flow, parking, and congestion
In the coming days, we will present a list of undersigned constituents who agree with these recommendations. We are looking forward to a formal response in writing and we are appreciative of all parties for their cooperation and good faith in advance. We look forward to working collaboratively to strengthen the District and ultimately, serve the people of our neighborhoods, the Capital City, and the State at large.
by Abigail Appel | Jan 6, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-14, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-9
Councilwoman Nirva R. LaFortune (Ward 3), Council President Pro Tempore Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Majority Leader James Taylor (Ward 8), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Majority Whip Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14), Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Councilwoman Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1), penned a letter to Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee regarding the state’s response to the recent uptick in cases of COVID-19.
by Abigail Appel | Dec 12, 2021 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release, Ward-3, Ward-5, Ward-7
The City Council promised to give Providence Police the tools they need to help solve the city’s 23rd homicide of 2021, following a deadly shooting Saturday night on Huxley Avenue, in the Elmhurst neighborhood.
“I am troubled to hear of, yet another young life taken by violence in the City of Providence, especially in a neighborhood that I call home and represent,” said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5). “I am working with police and city departments. A full investigation is underway. We need to keep our neighborhoods safe. I have led the effort on the City Council to strengthen our police force through recruitment and training. We need more officers on the streets.”
Council President John J. Igliozzi (Ward 7) condemned the violence and promised police the Council’s full support. “I commend the men and women of the Providence Department for their quick response to last night’s latest act of violence. Too many guns are on our streets. Too many young people are dying senselessly from gun violence. I’m committed to giving Providence Police the resources they need for this investigation,” said Igliozzi.
Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3) released the following statement after last night’s deadly shooting. “As our city grapples with its 23rd homicide this year during a season that is supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, I am calling on my colleagues in government, public safety officials and community members to join me in putting an end to this senseless violence. This is an issue that affects not only Providence, but our entire state. As we approach 2022, I hope we can work within communities to take a restorative approach to these issues. We must keep working for the those who have lost a son, brother, husband, or friend; not just last night, but every time a family has faced tragedy like this in our city.”
