by Abigail Appel | Jul 14, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
Approved budget contains no tax increases and uses $42 million in stimulus funds for small business relief, youth investments, free public Internet access, and more.
Tonight, the Providence City Council voted to approve a $539 million FY 2022 City Budget including $42 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to address both immediate needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic and longer-term investments that will pay dividends for years to come. The budget holds the line on residential and commercial property taxes, while funding key City services that residents expect and deserve.
Tonight’s vote to approve the FY 2022 City budget follows 5 weeks and more than 11 Finance Committee hearings to receive input from the Mayor’s office, Council members, and city residents and community organizations.
“I want to thank my colleagues on the City Council and Mayor Elorza for working collaboratively to put together and pass this budget that invests in our city at a time of great challenge for our residents,” said City Council President John J. Igliozzi. “Developing this budget during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge. Through months of hearings, we have heard just how hard hit our families, small businesses, and community organizations have been by the health and economic impacts of COVID-19. To address these needs, I am pleased that we are able to utilize $42 million in ARPA funds to invest in summer programming for our youth, early learning programs, free public internet access at parks and recreation centers, anti-violence programs, homeless interventions, street sweeping and sewer repairs, our public libraries, and relief for our small businesses. In addition, this budget continues to invest in core City services including inspections and public safety, while holding the line on taxes.”
Continued Igiozzi, “I also want to highlight this budget’s investment in public safety, which will provide the staffing and resources necessary to respond to criminal activity and to keep the people of our city safe. Talking with residents, many have said they are worried about a rise in crime and support smart investments in our police department, as well as substantive reforms to address community concerns about some policing practices. That is why this budget includes funding for recruitment of new police officers to protect our neighborhoods, and also creates a new Community Relations and Diversion Services Major position within the police department to resolve public safety issues that would be better dealt with through outreach and partnerships with City agencies and community-based organizations.”
“During this time of great need, I am pleased that my colleagues on the City Council and Mayor Elorza have worked together to pass a budget that helps our residents, small businesses, and community organizations get through the COVID-19 pandemic, while making long term investments in our city,” said Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan. “I am particularly pleased that this budget provides $7 million in direct relief for Providence’s small businesses, invests in early education for our youth, and invests in basic City services like public safety and housing and building safety inspections to address quality of life issues.”
FY 2022 City budget highlights include:
•No property tax increases.
•Invests in the Department of Inspections and Standards to deal with quality-of-life issues.
•Invests in the Department of Public Property to hire additional personnel to handle projects in a more efficient and timely fashion.
•Creates a new Department of Equity and Inclusion.
•Invests in public safety, including expansion of diversion efforts, creating anti-violence programs, and provisions to fund recruitment of new Providence Police officers.
•Continues to invest in City parks with a portion of Tax Stabilization revenue going to the Parks and Recreation fund.
•Provides an additional $300,000 for Providence Community Centers for programs that qualify for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources.
•Creates a new Community Relations and Diversion Services Major position within the Providence Police Department.
•10% of tax revenue from projects with a Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) will be dedicated to supporting debt service on the $25M Providence Redevelopment Agency Special Obligation Bond that funded the Providence Housing Trust in FY21.
•Invests $350,000 to expand the number of pre-kindergarten classrooms in Providence, increasing access to quality early learning programs.
•Invests ARPA funds for night basketball, recreational center programs for our youths, free internet access at our largest parks and recreation centers, sewer repair fund, and a $7 million small business relief fund.
A detailed summary of FY 2022 City Budget highlights can be found here.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 13, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
WARD 1 MOVIE NIGHT
8 PM THURSDAY, JULY 15
India Point Park, Providence, Rhode Island
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Some Kind of Funny Porto Rican Trailer
In collaboration with SPIA Media Productions, Inc., Vin Buonanno, Liz Mauran, Wendy Marcus, members of The Mile of History Association and Providence City Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) present “Some Kind of Funny Porto Rican?”: A Cape Verdean American Story(SKFPR), Thursday, July 15, 2021, 8 p.m. at India Point Park, Providence, RI.
Directed by Fox Point native and prominent filmmaker/historian, Dr. Claire Andrade-Watkins, this feature-length documentary tells the untold tragedy and scandal of what happened to a vibrant community of immigrants from the Cape Verde Islands in the Fox Point section of Providence Rhode Island who were forcibly displaced by urban renewal to make way for coffee shops, antique stores, and elegantly restored houses.
Cape Verdeans are the first sub-Saharan African people to voluntarily immigrate to Providence, Rhode Island. The new immigrants sailed and arrived in 1892 on the packet ship Nellie May captained by Antonio Coelho. The first Cape Verdean community in Rhode Island, settled, grew and thrived in the historic Fox Point area of Tockwotton and Sparrow Parks near the waterfront and the Port of Providence from the late 19th through the mid-20th century. This close-knit Cape Verdean neighborhood of tenement homes and businesses stretched contiguously through Tockwotton, then along South Main, Pike, Brook, Traverse, and Wickenden Streets.
SKFPR fills in a significant thread currently absent from 02903 and State historical narratives about people of African descent, that can now be told and recognized as part of Rhode Island’s rich shared migratory tradition.
Dr. Claire Andrade-Watkins is the President of SPIA Media Productions, Inc. founded in 1998, and the Director of The Fox Point Cape Verdean Heritage Project (FPCVHP), an independent community-based research initiative comprised primarily of former residents and/or descendants of the founding Cape Verdean families who settled in the Fox Point section of Providence, RI at the beginning of the 20th century. Launched in 2007 and incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit in 2014, the goal is to document and preserve the legacy of the Cape Verdean community in Fox Point.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 12, 2021 | Council News, Press Release
After months of community discussion, frequent correspondence, and widespread neighborhood advocacy, it is deeply disappointing to learn that Brown University has rejected the actionable requests presented by over a thousand community members and petitioners regarding the University’s proposed Brook Street dormitory development.
We, and members of the community, appreciate Brown’s vested interest in having more students live on campus to alleviate local neighborhood and housing concerns. We believe that moving 350 students back onto campus, while not raising undergraduate enrollment, is a commendable goal.
While we appreciate Brown University’s various meetings with local stakeholders, we believe that Brown University has undermined its commitment to meaningful engagement with neighbors given the fact that it was unwilling to revise its plans to reflect the desires of over a thousand community members, neighborhood residents and stakeholders.
Moving forward, we remain hopeful and look forward to Brown University and President Paxson having a truly collaborative, robust, and more meaningful dialogue with the neighbors of the East Side.
To See/Sign The Petition click here:
https://forms.gle/2vstQ2BMs9tytAj89
For more context on this story:
Brown University Rejects All East Side Resident’s Recommendations-Boston Globe
Providence East Side Battle Brews Between Brown University and Long Time Residents-Boston Globe
Ward 1 Residents Criticize Revised Brook Street Dorm Plans-Brown Daily Herald
John Goncalves
Councilman, Ward 1
Helen Anthony, ESQ
Councilor, Ward 2
by Abigail Appel | Jul 8, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14
This morning, Councilor David Salvatore and the Friends of Fargnoli Park announced that the splash pad located at Fargnoli Park will be operating with special hours to accommodate the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The water park will be open exclusively to the elderly and persons with disabilities from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM on Thursdays, and will open to the general public each day at 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
“Access to our neighborhood parks and recreational facilities should be possible for all residents of varying ages and abilities. As we get through the hot summer months, I am proud to have worked with the Friends of Fargnoli Park to ensure that our newly renovated waterpark is safe and functional for all who want to use it,” stated Councilor David Salvatore.
All city water parks are free and open to the public. In cases of extreme heat, the city may extend water park hours. For a full list of local water parks and pools, click here: https://bit.ly/3yy4Mte
“The Friends of Fargnoli Park have been working hard to create programming for our community. Making the new water park features accessible to all our Senior Friends and Friends with Disabilities creates the inclusion and equity we pride ourselves on having. We look forward to seeing our entire community enjoy Fargnoli Park.”
Fargnoli Park is located at 945 Smith Street.Questions and concerns regarding Fargnoli Park and the water park can be directed to the Friends of Fargnoli Park at fargnolifriends@gmail.com.
by Abigail Appel | Jul 7, 2021 | Council News, Press Release
Budget addresses impacts of COVID-19, invests in city services, and holds the line on property taxes.
This evening, the Providence City Council’s Finance Committee voted to approve a $539 million FY 2022 City budget that addresses some of the immediate impacts caused to residents, small businesses, and community organizations by the COVID-19 pandemic, while investing in key city services, and holding the line on residential and commercial property taxes.
“In a very difficult environment filled with uncertainty and the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am thankful to have worked collaboratively with my colleagues on the Finance Committee and the Elorza Administration to pass a City budget that invests in our recovery and key City services, while holding the line of property taxes,” said Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan. “Thanks to American Recovery Plan Act stimulus funds, this budget invests over $42 million in COVID-19 relief for our small businesses, community centers, and other projects that will address both immediate needs and pay long term dividends. In addition, I am pleased that this budget invests in public safety, expands Pre-K classrooms, and continues investments in affordable housing.”
“I want to thank the members of the Finance Committee and Mayor Elorza for working so hard to develop a fiscally responsible FY 2022 City budget that will help Providence recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, invests in the services our residents expect, and holds the line on taxes,” said Council President John Igliozzi.
FY 2022 City budget highlights:
- No property tax increases.
- Invests in the Department of Inspections and Standards to deal with quality-of-life issues.
- Invests in the Department of Public Property to hire additional personnel to handle projects in a more efficient and timely fashion.
- Creates a new Department of Equity and Inclusion.
- Invests in public safety.
- Continues to invest in City parks with a portion of Tax Stabilization revenue going to the Parks and Recreation fund.
- Provides an additional $300,000 for Providence Community Centers for programs that qualify for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) resources.
- Creates a new Community Relations and Diversion Services Major position within the Providence Police Department.
- 10% of tax revenue from projects with a Tax Stabilization Agreement (TSA) will be dedicated to supporting debt service on the $25M Providence Redevelopment Agency Special Obligation Bond that funded the Providence Housing Trust in FY21.
- Invests $350,000 to expand the number of pre-kindergarten classrooms in Providence, increasing access to quality early learning programs.
- Invests ARPA funds for night basketball, recreational center programs for our youths, free internet access at our largest parks and recreation centers, sewer repair fund, and a $7 million small business relief fund.
The FY 2022 City budget now goes before the full City Council for final approval. The Council is expected to approve the budget by July 15.
by Abigail Appel | Jun 28, 2021 | Council News, Press Release
Commerce RI to match with an additional $300,000 investment in WaterFire.
The Providence City Council will amend an ordinance, recently passed by the Committee on Finance, approving more than $42 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) investments to include an additional $300,000 for WaterFire. The funding will allow the City’s venerable arts and culture institution to relaunch WaterFire in September, providing a much-needed boost to downtown’s tourism and hospitality sector. Commerce RI will also match the City’s investment with an additional $300,000 award to WaterFire.
“After extensive conversations with Barnaby Evans of WaterFire and other stakeholders, the Council is pleased to announce the use of $300,000 in ARPA funding to allow the organization to once again light up downtown beginning in September,” said Providence City Council President John Igliozzi. “Our goal with this first round of ARPA funds is to address immediate community needs coming out of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have heard loud and clear that we need to help spark Providence’s tourism and hospitality sector, and the relighting of WaterFire’s braziers will do just that, bringing tens of thousands of visitors to enjoy a beautiful evening outside, stay at our hotels, and dine at our world-class restaurants. After discussing this situation with Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor, I’m also thrilled to share that Commerce RI will be investing an additional $300,000 to ensure that WaterFire burns bright.”
“Waterfire is an iconic tradition with a huge economic and cultural impact on our City and State,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Another year without a Waterfire would have been unimaginable and I am proud to have worked with the Providence City Council to make sure that Waterfire returns to Downtown Providence.”
“The Providence City Council has a long track record of supporting WaterFire including providing over $489,000 in direct support, passing a tax stabilization for the organization, and entering into a Partnership Agreement waiving parking revenue and providing for police details,” said Councilwoman and Finance Chair Jo-Ann Ryan. “One of our priorities in making these first round of ARPA investments has been to support our small businesses who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. After hearing from many stakeholders including restaurants and cultural venues, we agree that WaterFire can help provide the needed shot in the arm to bring visitors back to our great City to enjoy all downtown has to offer. This $300,000 is both an investment in kickstarting our tourism and hospitality sector and in one of Providence’s most loved arts and culture institutions. Finally, the City Council is committed to working with WaterFire to help the organization develop a more sustainable business model.”
“I want to thank Council President Igliozzi and Councilwoman Ryan for working with us to help bring back WaterFire to downtown Providence in September,” said Barnaby Evans, Executive Artistic Director of WaterFire. “This funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, along with the State’s, will allow us to hire back event staff, install the equipment, and then host fall WaterFire evenings that will bring thousands of visitors to downtown. We know that relighting our braziers is also going to attract visitors and ignite economic activity at a time when so many of our City’s incredible hotels and restaurants are rebounding from a very challenging year. WaterFire is back, and we thank the City Council for this funding and for being such a dedicated partner for many years.”
