by Abigail Appel | Sep 2, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
“The Superman Building is an icon of our city that has sadly been sitting vacant for eight years. All options should be explored to save this beautiful and historic structure, including opportunities for redevelopment by the current owner, and ownership transfer. There are many tools the city and state have at their disposal to make sure the Superman Building is given a second life, and I look forward to input from Providence residents, the business community, planners, preservationists, economic development experts, and my colleagues in government as we continue the public discussion on the fate of this iconic building.”
by Abigail Appel | Aug 31, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-5, Ward-7
30 ATVs confiscated in just the last two weeks, since Igliozzi and Ryan called for enforcement of the City Council’s ATV ordinances
City Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7) and Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) are commending the Providence Police Department for cracking down on illegal ATVs, which led to the seizure of 30 ATVs over just the last two weeks.
“Nearly three weeks ago, I called a special session of the Providence City Council to address crime including roving gangs of illegal ATVs that have been terrorizing our neighborhoods,” said Council President Igliozzi. “At that hearing, I called for immediate action to enforce existing City Council ordinances designed to stop these illegal vehicles. That is why I am so pleased to see the reports that 30 ATVs have been confiscated in just the last two weeks. This is an impressive increase in enforcement given that over the past 4 years, only approximately 50 ATVs have been confiscated each year. I want to thank the Providence Police Department and our dedicated police officers for their work on this important public safety and quality of life issue, and for permanently removing 30 more illegal ATVs from our streets.”
“Out of control ATV gangs have been thumbing their nose at our laws and causing fear in our neighborhoods for far too long. In 2017 I drafted and enacted legislation to keep dangerous ATVs off our City streets. In doing so, my Council colleagues and I created a clear, legal framework that prohibited the operation of illegal ATVs and gave the Providence Police Department the power to seize and destroy any ATVs operating illegally. I want to thank the Providence Police Department for recently confiscating 30 of these illegal vehicles and responding to our call for enforcement,” said Councilwoman Ryan. “While there is more to be done, this is real and immediate action to enforce ordinances already passed by the City Council to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
by Abigail Appel | Aug 30, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
Council President John J. Igliozzi (Ward 7) today joined Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Mayor Jorge Elorza, the Providence Parks Department, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, the Providence Housing Authority and members of the Board of Park Commissioners to unveil recently completed improvements at Merino Park, located in the Hartford neighborhood of Providence.
“I am proud to unveil impressive new improvements to Merino Park today. Working with neighbors, the WRWC, the Parks Department, and the Mayor, we have been able to build on the growing list of amenities Merino Park has to offer our community., Residents can now enjoy a beautifully revitalized basketball court and soccer field, along with the other activities areas and green spaces. Parks are a crucial component of quality of life in our city, and I am always glad to allocate funding and resources to ensure that children, families, and people of all ages have access to beautiful, well-maintained parks in every neighborhood,” stated Council President John J. Igliozzi.
Igliozzi, an advocate for city parks, established the City Council Parks and Recreational Trust Fund Account in 2015, which requires developers receiving tax stabilizations to contribute a percentage of their reduced property taxes to the trust fund to go towards parks and recreation capital improvement projects. These recent improvements are the most recent in the Council President’s long-term effort to transform Merino Park. Throughout his tenure with the City Council, Igliozzi has invested nearly $1 million in the park, including the construction of the Woonasquatucket Adventure Park which opened in October 2019, a new playground, new lighting, a new parking lot, security cameras, and a water park.
“We are committed to making Providence a vibrant, thriving community, and that includes providing recreational and green spaces our community can enjoy,” said Mayor of Providence Jorge O. Elorza. “The improvements unveiled today at Merino Park make the park an inviting place for all, and I’m appreciative of our partners on the City Council and in the community who helped make these park improvements a reality.”
The Parks Department oversaw the design and construction for the project, which includes a newly resurfaced basketball court and installation of new backboards. Additionally, the soccer field was revitalized with new turf and irrigation. Council President Igliozzi allocated $113,450 in Capital Improvement Plan funding towards these necessary improvements.
“There is something for everyone along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway,” said Wendy Nilsson, Parks Department Superintendent. “We are thrilled to enhance and revitalize the well-used courts and field at Merino Park as part of our ongoing work to improve courts and fields throughout our City parks.”
Merino Park has over 18 acres of recreational and green space open to the public and is located at 265 Hartford Ave in Providence. This summer, the Parks Department has worked to revitalize seven parks across the city including Arthur and Ruby Lawrence Park, Major Park, Brown Street Park, Father Lennon Park, Morris Ave Tot Lot, Annie Morris Park and the Blackstone Park Woods Trail.
“I commend the Parks Department and my City colleagues for their dedication to the consistent improvement of parks and green spaces in our city. In my role as a city councilman and on the board of parks commissioners, I know the pivotal role that parks play in the social and physical well being of young people in our city. I look forward to continuing these improvement efforts across the city of Providence,” added Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr.
To learn about parks in your neighborhood, visit the Parks Department interactive map here: https://bit.ly/3jsvoao
by Michael Giles | Aug 20, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
“Congratulations to Dr. Javier Montañez on being named Acting Superintendent of the Providence Public School District for the upcoming school year. This is the time for us as a city and state to collectively support the district, and I want to thank Governor McKee for guiding this phase of the state turnaround of Providence schools towards stability and success. Dr. Montañez’s relationships and depth of understanding of Providence schools — both as an educator and a former student — make him uniquely suited to provide a steady and firm foundation, as well as to be an agent of change who can to lead our school district in a positive direction and give our students the excellent education they deserve.”
by Abigail Appel | Aug 18, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
The South Water Street Trail will provide a safe and enjoyable transportation option for our families, children, and community.
Bike-friendly street infrastructure makes streets safer for everyone — pedestrians, business patrons, visitors — not just bicyclists. Most importantly, this is an opportunity to be less car-centric and create a more equitable, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly ward and city.
This particular street has been under siege from speeding cars, ATVs, and other non-pedestrian-friendly activities for years. Many of our constituents, including local resident abutters, provided robust feedback and were supportive of the plans for the South Water Street Trail, which includes traffic calming measures that will mitigate the issues in this area.
During the planning stages for the South Water Street Trail project, there were several meetings and communications sent with opportunities to provide comment. Unfortunately, some individuals did not participate or engage in that process. However, we’re taking the concerns of these parties and also our business community very seriously.
Our local businesses are very important stakeholders; we want them to continue to succeed and we encourage folks to patronize their businesses. For the last few days, the City’s Department of Planning and Development has been reevaluating aspects of the plans in hopes to accommodate them as much as possible, however, removing the bike plans is non-negotiable as it is supported by hundreds of residents and will provide a safe and enjoyable transportation option for our families, children, and community. Change is not comfortable or easy, but we ultimately look forward to the way this project will reinvigorate the South Water Street corridor.
To review the plans, click here.
by Abigail Appel | Aug 16, 2021 | Council News, Press Release
Today, the flag at City Hall will be lowered to half-staff in honor of the late City Sergeant Dave Tassoni. Sergeant Tassoni was a dedicated city servant, and he will be dearly missed by the City Council, the Mayoral Administration and all of the city staff who had the pleasure of working with him.
Our deepest condolences are extended to the family and loved ones of Sergeant Tassoni. We are profoundly grateful to Sergeant Tassoni for his years of service to the City of Providence, and his memory will remain at city hall for years to come.
