Recent News
New 8 Law Ordinance Becomes City Law – Incentivizing Low-Income Housing Development
Providence, RI – As rents skyrocket in the city, Councilors have prioritized efforts on the development of affordable housing and passed, for a final time on a vote of 13 to 2, an ordinance that defines ‘low-income’ housing and clarifies how tax incentives will be...
Statement from Councilman Pedro Espinal on the Allens Avenue Fire
“The fire that burned last night and into the early morning hours off Allens Avenue sent thick black smoke throughout the surrounding neighborhoods in South Providence and contaminated water runoff into the Providence River,” said Councilman Pedro Espinal (Ward 10)....
Council President Introduces New 8 Law Ordinance to Incentivize Low-Income Housing Development
Providence, RI – In an ongoing effort to incentivize the development of affordable housing, the Council President introduced an ordinance to define ‘low-income’ housing and clarify how tax incentives will be applied. This law, commonly known as 8 Law, considers rental...
Council Takes Steps to Limit Weight on City Roads Affected by Washington Bridge Detours
Providence, RI – A newly introduced law limits the weight of heavy trucks traveling on city streets surrounding Washington Bridge detours. The ordinance amendment aims to prevent cut-throughs and damage to East Side roads caused by heavy truck traffic. The ordinance...
Statement from Council President Rachel Miller on the Edward Bannister Plaque Theft
"It is with profound sadness and outrage that I, on behalf of the Providence City Council, address the recent disappearance of the bronze plaque from the gravestone of the revered African American painter, Edward Bannister, located in the North Burial Ground, a...
Council Sets Energy Efficiency Timeline Requiring All City-Owned Buildings Go Carbon Neutral by 2040
Providence, RI - Councilors unanimously took a significant leap toward creating a cleaner and healthier environment in the capital city by passing a law that commits to carbon neutrality in all city-owned buildings (including schools) by 2040. What is carbon...
Public Hearings Announced to Set City Boundaries for 5 Elected School Board Regions
In 2022, Providence voters approved a ballot question to create a partially elected, partially appointed school board. What voters approved Hybrid school board with 10 total members 5 elected board members from 5 equal regions of the city (North, South, East, West,...
Providence Leaders Commit to Ending All Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries by Signing Vision Zero
Providence, RI – On Wednesday morning, off a busy North Main Street and next to a broken steel fence damaged by a late-night hit and run, city leaders signed legislation with the ambitious goal of ending all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. Providence...
Council Sets City on Path to End All Traffic Fatalities and Serious Injuries by 2030
Providence, RI – City Councilors unanimously approved a resolution with the goal of ending all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. Vision Zero is an agreement and commitment to redesigning city streets for the safety of all those who walk, bike, ride, and...
