by Michael Florio | Oct 18, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
City Council to review tax stabilization agreements for developments
that will bring more than $20M in investment to Wanskuck
Last night, the Providence City Council’s Committee on Finance approved two Tax Stabilization Agreements (TSAs) that would transform the Fourth Ward, clearing the way for the full Council to review the agreements, which would bring a combined $20 million in private investment to the City’s Wanskuck neighborhood. The properties, located at 745 Branch Avenue (Wanskuck Mill) and 145 Corliss Street, will create 300 temporary construction jobs and an additional 125 permanent jobs once the buildings are completed.
Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci has previously testified at public hearings held regarding these TSAs and has been a staunch advocate for their passage, stating that they would greatly improve the neighborhood he has served for the past 12 years.
“The North End has been a community on the rise and these developments are proof of that,” stated City Council Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “These two projects will bring much-needed new affordable housing stock to our city, as well as new opportunities for business development to the Ward, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I have met with the developers and their vision for the neighborhood is one I fully endorse.”
“For many years, I have been urging for more investment in the Wanskuck neighborhood, which has long been underutilized,” said Council President David A. Salvatore, whose ward includes parts of Wanskuck. “This is a neighborhood that will benefit greatly from revitalization efforts, and our entire city will benefit for the hundreds of jobs created by these developments.”
Wanskuck Mill is located at 725, 726, 715, and 745 Branch Avenue and is owned by Branch Holdings, LLC, and currently has 60 apartment units. The project would include an additional 150 reasonably priced apartments ranging from $1,100 to $1,400 per month in rent. The project would also include the addition of commercial space in the property that would potentially include restaurant, retail and/or office space.
Providence 2017, LLC plans to transform an empty lot at 145 Corliss Street into a self-storage facility which would include 863 storage units.
The full Council will review these TSAs and vote on them for a first time at the November 1, 2018 City Council meeting.
by Michael Florio | Oct 3, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
After nearly a year RIDOT and the City of Providence have begun design work
Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. today announces that work has begun on a project to replace the Hawkins Street Bridge. After nearly a year of waiting, RIDOT and the City have come to terms on a design and have begun the preliminary phase of work.
“The bridge was closed last October and has created a great deal of consternation in the neighborhood,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “For the past year, I have been working with City and State officials to get this project underway. By joining forces, the City and State, have allocated funds for this important project. Infrastructure is an issue not just in Providence or Rhode Island, but around the country. This work beginning is a testament that with hard work by community advocates we can move the needle to get things done.”
Hawkins Street Bridge crosses the West River and Route 146 connecting the Wanskuck and Charles neighborhoods of Providence.
by Michael Florio | Jul 23, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-14, Ward-4, Ward-6, Ward-8
Tonight Council President David A. Salvatore, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr., Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur W. Jennings Jr., and Councilman Michael Correia introduced a resolution creating a task force to study the impact of public utility work on Providence’s roads and sidewalks.
“It is the responsibility of the City to ensure the maintenance of safe and aesthetically pleasing roadways and sidewalks,” stated City Council President David A. Salvatore. “Occasionally we hear from constituents that the sidewalks and roadways around their homes have not been properly restored after work done by a public utility. This task force will come together to study, review, and make recommendations for improving the laws, policies, and procedures affecting the impact of public utility work on our roads and sidewalks to ensure that public utilities leave these areas in good order.”
According to the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, 54% of Rhode Island’s public roads were rated as in “poor condition,” and Rhode Island’s drivers face costs of more than $800 per year from driving on roads in need of repair. Improved notification, coordination, and oversight procedures for street and sidewalk excavation by public utilities would lead to significant cost savings for taxpayers and utility companies, as well as greater convenience for residents.
“As a long-serving member of the Council I have always been committed to quality of life issues,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci. “The state of our roadways and walkways can affect our property values and cause harm to both property and pedestrians alike. I’m very proud to support this effort to ensure these issues do not occur or are mitigated quickly.”
The issues surrounding the opening and excavation of streets and sidewalks are governed by both City ordinances and State statutes; are affected by the decisions of both public and private entities; and impact all who live, work, and visit Providence. Because the issue of street and sidewalk safety is of such great importance, the City Council will engage a broad group of stakeholders to adequately address these problems. And, as public servants and elected representatives of the people of Providence, the City Council has an obligation to ensure that roads and sidewalks are maintained in appropriate condition.
Deputy Majority Leader Wilbur J. Jennings shared, “Bringing together the key players will go a long way in achieving the goal set by the Council to ensure that all infrastructure work is completed timely and safely, and that any potential issues are dealt with quickly.”
The Task Force on the Impact of Public Utility Work on Providence’s Roads and Sidewalks will be comprised of:
Michael Borg, Director of the Department of Public Works (or designee)
Kevin Kugel, Director of the Providence Emergency Management Agency (or designee)
Cliff Wood, Executive Director of the Providence Foundation (or designee)
Scott Wolf, Executive Director of Grow Smart RI (or designee)
Two individuals appointed by Providence City Council President David A. Salvatore
Two individuals appointed by the Honorable Jorge Elorza, Mayor of Providence
A representative from National Grid
“The members of this task force will play an important role in helping create future protocols to protect the City and property owners,” stated Councilman Michael Correia. “Working with our utility partners to help form these protocols will ensure that all interests can be addressed. I look forward to seeing the good work this task force will accomplish.”
by Michael Florio | Jun 29, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. today ensured the opening of the water park at Chad Brown before its originally scheduled opening of July 2, 2018. The water park will be open today and tomorrow (Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30) from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Yesterday, the city announced the early opening of several water parks across the city, but Chad Brown was not on the list. With help from Director Mike Stephens from the Providence Recreation Department and Executive Director Melissa Sanzaro of the Providence Housing Authority – Councilman Narducci was able to add this location to the city’s portfolio of operational water parks.
“I’m very pleased that I was able to ensure the early opening of the Chad Brown water park for today and tomorrow,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “I’m grateful for the assistance of Melissa Sanzaro and Mike Stephens in making sure that the community in Chad Brown was being served. With high temperatures called for all weekend, I wanted to ensure that North End residents were being served like other neighborhoods.”
Waterparks across the city are opening today (Friday, June 29, 2018, at noon). For more information and to find the nearest open recreation center, residents can call the Providence Recreation Department’s main office at 401-680-7300, visit http://www.providenceri.gov/providence-recreation/ or contact the Mayor’s Center for City Services by dialing 3-1-1 or visiting http://www.providenceri.gov/pvd-311/.
by Michael Florio | Jun 21, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Once passes Providence will join 280 other North American jurisdictions
to ban the commercial sale of dogs and cats
Councilman Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. tonight introduced an ordinance that would make it illegal for the commercial sale of dogs and cats. It should be noted that the ordinance specifically allows for commercial pet stores to keep and facilitate the adoption of dogs and cats from animal shelters, humane societies, and non-profit rescue organizations.
“We’ve all seen and read of the horrors of puppy mills in the United States,” stated City Council Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “For the better part of a year I have worked on this ordinance, and I am very proud to have it passed for the first time tonight. As a pet lover, and as an advocate and board member of Friends of Providence Animal Control I felt a responsibility to ensure the safety and humane treatment of our four-legged friends.”
The ordinance aligns with State standards and establishes exceptions to the spay/neuter law for thoroughbred dogs and dogs with health concerns (letter from veterinarian required). It also creates an additional Dog Permit allowing the owner to keep 4+ dogs, so long as certain health and safety standards have been met.
In passing this ordinance, Providence will join 280 other jurisdictions across the US and Canada to ban the commercial sale of dogs and cats. There is a growing consensus that the best way to stop the proliferation of puppy mills is to cut the demand for them by prohibiting commercial sales. Albuquerque, NM became the first US jurisdiction to ban commercial sales of dog and cats in 2006. In Rhode Island, both East Providence (2014) and Warwick (2017) have also passed bans on the commercial sale of dogs and cats. Other Jurisdictions with such a ban include: Austin, TX (2010), Boston, MA (2016), Cambridge, MA (2017), California (statewide ban, 2017), Philadelphia (2016) and Pittsburgh (2015).
The ordinance was written in close consultation with the Friends of Providence Animal Control and the Rhode Island SPCA.
by Michael Florio | May 17, 2018 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
Tonight, the Providence City Council Committee on Claims and Pending Suits approved a settlement for Ricci v City of Providence. The settlement is still subject to court approval.
“My fellow committee members and I believe that this settlement and its swift resolution is in the best interest of our city,” said Committee on Claims and Pending Suits Chairman, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “As this settlement moves through the court process, we will continue to be vigilant in ensuring that the safety and well-being of our constituents is our foremost priority.”
