by Council Staff | Nov 3, 2022 | Press Release, Ward-1
“We’re so thrilled and excited to welcome Trader Joe’s to the neighborhood! Residents from near and far are enthusiastic about the grand opening of another grocer that will offer fresh produce and organic foods to the Capital City and beyond,” said Councilman Goncalves, who represents the Ward 1 neighborhood where the store is located.
“As we welcome new customers to the 9,408 square-foot Trader Joe’s, please be sure to calibrate your GPS to the correct 425 S Main Street and take advantage of the 110 parking spots on site. To those intending to visit over the coming days, happy shopping.”
by Council Staff | Oct 26, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release, Ward-7
“As the sole dissenting vote today, I’m disappointed the Board of Parks Commissioners approved another 10-year commitment to FCG Associates, the current operator of Triggs Memorial Golf Course. Parts of the course have fallen into disrepair, and a laundry list of problems needs fixing, yet the board decided to reward the current operator with another lucrative long-term multi-million dollar contract. All three bid proposals should have been presented before the board so that we could deliberate and determine the proper outcome for the future of Triggs. Instead, we received one side of the conversation at the expense of Providence taxpayers.”
by Council Staff | Oct 25, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
City Council Approves 1st Passage of $10 million COVID-19 Equities Program
Creates new program by partnering with the United Way
Providence, RI – At tonight’s special meeting of the Providence City Council, councilors approved the first passage of the $10 million COVID-19 Equities Program budget on a vote of 11 to zero (4 councilors were absent). The $10 million budget is a collaboration between the City Council and Mayor Jorge Elorza’s administration for January 6, 2022, to December 31, 2024, and is funded by the American Rescue Plant Act (ARPA). The budget comes after months of work by the city’s 13-member Municipal Reparations Commission and adds a new component by partnering with the United Way.
“I am proud of our work amending the COVID-19 Equities Program Budget. These changes reflect the need for continued community input into future expenditures,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “By partnering with the United Way, we are creating a lasting generational investment.”
The City Council and the Mayor’s administration are partnering with the United Way by establishing the United Way COVID-19 Equity Fund. The fund is seeded with $1,750,000 of the $10 million budget to attract additional investments from outside partners for years to come. All the original programs remain funded. However, the Home Repair Fund, Expansion of Guaranteed Income Program, and a Legal Defense Fund have been removed from the budget as those programs were previously included in the larger ARPA budget passed in the spring.
“The Municipal Reparations Commission and community members dedicated extensive time and efforts to outline their 11-point investment plan. I know that the budget is driven by the needs and priorities of the community and it will move the ball forward in closing the existing racial wealth and equity gaps,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “I thank the United Way for their willingness to partner with us and I look forward to the City Council finalizing their approval so I can sign this budget into law.”
“I would like to thank the commissioners and my colleague, Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris, for her thorough involvement with this program and for helping create the equity fund with the United Way,” said Council President John Igliozzi. “It’s unfortunate more of the COVID-19 Equities Program funding is not under the stewardship of the United Way. However, the City Council has ensured a portion of these funds will continue to be reinvested in the city long past 2024.”
“We celebrate the outstanding work of the Providence Municipal Reparations Commission in developing this investment plan which is an essential first step towards closing the racial wealth and equity gaps in the City of Providence,” said Larry O. Warner, DrPH, Chief Impact and Equity Officer at United Way of Rhode Island. “We look forward to partnering with the City once the budget is approved by the City Council and signed into law by Mayor Elorza.”
The amended ordinance was referred to the finance committee for review. A second passage is required by the full council.
by Council Staff | Oct 20, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
Superman building
Providence, RI – Tonight, city councilors passed, for the first time on a vote of 11 to 1 (with 3 councilors abstaining), a 30-year tax stabilization agreement (TSA) ordinance between the city and High Rock Westminster Street LLC, the owner of 111 Westminster Street (also known as the Superman building in downtown Providence). The TSA is one component of a $223 million public-private partnership project, which includes the City of Providence, the Providence City Council, the State of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, Rhode Island Foundation, and Rhode Island Housing.
“I want to thank my council colleagues who had the vision and political fortitude to pass this TSA tonight,” said Council President John Igliozzi (Ward 7). “For 26 years on the City Council, I have championed TSAs and tax treaties as tools for the city to turn empty lots and boarded-up buildings into new mixed-use spaces, businesses, and apartments. The Superman building will embody the spirit of a new beginning in downtown Providence. The redevelopment of this iconic but sadly dormant building will revitalize our capital city, encourage more investment, and create opportunities for all of us,” said Igliozzi.
Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) added: “Ultimately, these redevelopment plans will further stimulate our local economy, reinvigorate our downtown, and further build up this growing and vibrant residential and commercial neighborhood. The long term returns will be enormous and certainly a step up from a seemingly frail downtown that hasn’t quite realized its potential.”
The proposed project is expected to create 1,600 construction jobs, with a goal of hiring 20% minority and women-owned businesses. Plans call for 285 residential apartments, with 20% of the units deed restricted as affordable. The building owner has committed to a mix of retail and community space in the Grand Banking Hall, opening the building’s doors to all. The TSA ordinance will come before the full council for a second passage next month. A copy of the agreement is posted here.
TSA for Former Providence Journal building
Councilors approved for first passage a 20-year tax stabilization agreement ordinance for 203 Westminster Street, which sits in the space of the old Providence Journal building and Kresge’s department store. The proposed “Hive Life” would become 124 apartments next to city hall. The agreement can be seen here.
Councilor Salvatore proposes new safety & security guidelines at housing developments for seniors and persons with disabilities
Councilor David Salvatore (Ward 14) introduced amendments to Ordinance 38643 “Security Development for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities,” increasing fines for landlords who refuse to comply with safety and security requirements. The amendment would also require property owners to maintain on-site security personnel and register a point of contact to be located in the City.
“During the last several months, I have observed firsthand the unsafe conditions that some of our residents are forced to live in, said Councilor Salvatore,”. “With these new measures, I hope that certain property owners and landlords will be motivated to follow the law and protect the health and safety of our city’s most vulnerable residents.”
The original ordinance was sponsored by Councilor Salvatore and was initially passed by the City Council on May 20, 2021. In it, strict requirements were approved that require property owners to implement and maintain security plans in developments that house seniors and persons with disabilities.
“We have a moral obligation to implement safety measures that keep our elderly and disabled residents safe. It’s unacceptable that not one of these private or public developments has adhered to the ordinance that was enacted more than a year ago. We all have a responsibility to ensure that vulnerable residents are safely housed. I am disappointed that amendments have to be approved by the City Council to achieve these results, said Salvatore.”
Currently, landlords found in violation of the ordinance have 30 days to make changes. After that period, property owners and landlords are subject to a $150 fine per day. The new amendment would increase the daily fine to $500. Councilor Salvatore is calling on the Department of Public Safety to enforce the original ordinance and impose fines on any landlord that is non-compliant with the law.
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by Council Staff | Oct 19, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Press Release, Ward-7
Providence, RI – “I believe it is an appropriate decision for the sponsor of this ordinance, Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), to keep an open dialogue and better understand the potential detrimental impact on the city’s rental market. In its present form, the proposed ordinance targets financially strapped college students across the city and tries to solve a minor problem with an overreaching response. It’s like settling a verbal argument with a nuclear bomb.
Some nuisance homes near college campuses are a problem, but the ordinance would be applied across the city to thousands of homes and apartments with no issues. Providence has current enforcement laws and capabilities; let us utilize existing mechanisms and strengthen them where we can. If there is a shortage of police and staff in our inspections departments, we should address that need immediately.”
by Council Staff | Oct 17, 2022 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release
October 17, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Parker Gavigan, Director of Communications
pgavigan@providenceri.gov
Providence, RI – Tonight, after a two hour public hearing and testimony from dozens of citizens, the City Council finance committee approved a 30-year tax stabilization agreement (TSA) ordinance between the city and High Rock Westminster Street LLC, the owner of 111 Westminster Street, commonly known as the Superman building in downtown Providence.
“We heard from many members of the community tonight on this proposal to redevelop the Superman building, a massive skyscraper that has laid dormant and dark for nearly 10 years. There’s no question the property has become a black eye in the center of the capital city,” said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), Chairwoman of the finance committee. “The owner has agreed to an unprecedented $223 million public-private partnership project that will bring more than 1,600 good-paying construction jobs downtown and create new housing opportunities, including affordable units. The TSA is one critical component that allows the building owner to make this significant investment in Providence, and without an agreement, as we heard tonight, the project would die. It’s clear we need to move forward and transform a dilapidated property back into a vibrant economic engine,” added Ryan.
The proposed project calls for 285 residential apartments, with 20% of the units deed restricted as affordable. The building owner has committed to a mix of retail and community space in the Grand Banking Hall, opening the building’s doors to all. A “Buy Providence” initiative is also included in the TSA, where the owner will use good faith efforts to buy construction materials, use equipment and services from city vendors. The ordinance now moves before the full City Council and requires two passages. A copy of the TSA agreement is posted here.
