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July 2023

Council Hires Law Firm to Legally Challenge Agreement that Lowered Tax Rates for Downtown Developer

July was another busy month for the City Council. During a lengthy special Council meeting on July 25, Councilors passed a resolution hiring a Providence law firm to take legal action against an agreement that allowed 10 downtown buildings controlled by Arnold “Buff” Chace and affiliates to pay significantly lower property taxes to the city in the amount of approximately $42.5 million over 30 years.

 

The 13 to 1 vote (1 councilor was absent) formalized the agreement between the council and the firm of Wistow, Sheehan, and Loveley. Councilors were briefed in executive session first by the City Solicitor on options for the city and then separately by the WSL firm on their findings and recommendations to legally act against the original 2021 consent judgment (Harrisburg Associates, LLC, et al. v. The City of Providence et al. PC-2020-04757).

 

“I’m looking forward to attempting to vacate the consent order,” said attorney Max Wistow. “The consent order is not only harmful to the city but completely unjustified and hurts Providence’s low-income residents.”

 

The city’s Internal Auditor, Gina Costa, initially highlighted concerns about the agreement in a December 2022 report.  

Legislation


Self-Storage Facilities

At the Council's July 20th meeting, Councilors passed a zoning ordinance amendment for a second and final time that prohibits the future development of self-storage facilities in the city. The ordinance amendment was heard in June during a public hearing in the council chamber and was passed by the ordinance committee before being heard on the council floor.

 

“Land is scarce in Providence, and what little there is has been grabbed up by the self-storage industry,” said Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez, sponsor of the legislation. “My colleagues and I have been saying, ‘Let’s house people, not things.’ The council has committed to moving away from these types of development projects and fully embracing efforts to build affordable housing.”   



July Events

Councilman and President Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo (Ward 9) helped the city kick off a new recruitment class drive for Providence Police. Pichardo and fellow councilor John Goncalves (Ward 1) joined Mayor Smiley for the announcement. Applicants should apply online at https://www.providenceri.gov/police-department/

Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15) throws one heck of a block party outside the Webster Ave Elementary School. Providence Police and Fire allowed kids to "touch a truck" while so many supporters and volunteers helped make the day a success.

Councilman and Majority Leader, James Taylor (Ward 8) cut the ribbon on a new Bucklin Park splash pad just in time to beat the summer heat! Taylor first campaigned on the promise to make a splash pad a reality for young neighborhood kids who traditionally had to go elsewhere in the city. Providence's Parks Department and various funding sources, along with Taylor's vision, completed the job.

Councilmen John Goncalves and Oscar Vargas helped break ground on Parcel 9 in Fox Point. The old 195 land turns into a housing development of 127 mixed-use units. 60 apartments will be built during phase one, which will include a mix of affordable & market-rate units and a childcare center run by Children's Friend.


Councilors Oscar Vargas, Shelley Peterson, Juan Pichardo, and Miguel Sanchez toured Providence Water's impressive facilities in Scituate, including the reservoir. Providence Water owns 5,000 acres of water and 13,000 acres of forest throughout the Scituate Reservoir watershed.

Congratulations to the city's 32 new firefighters, sworn in during a ceremony at the Convention Center earlier in July.

Council President Rachel Miller met up with summer campers at the Zuccolo Rec Center on Federal Hill. PVD recreation summer camps cost $5 per child each week (you read that correctly!)

Councilman Pedro Espinal visited Walco Electric with Mayor Smiley and members of the Small Business Administration. Walco has been operating since 1931 and is now a diversified high-technology company specializing in optimizing rotating electro-mechanical equipment on Allens Ave.

Pro Tempore Juan Pichardo joined former Councilwoman Carmen Castillo along with the mayor and the Rivera family for a special dedication to a refurbished Jennifer Rivera Memorial Park, a place that will bring joy to many neighborhood children. Rivera, 15, was killed after showing the courage to testify as a witness during a trial in 2000.

Providence's Comprehensive Plan


Once every 10 years, the City updates its Comprehensive Plan, the urban planning policy document that guides growth and development in the city. The Comp Plan is directly connected to street improvements, safety, housing development, growth, preservation, parks, neighborhood amenities, climate change – and everything related to the environment and zoning.

Please visit plan.providenceri.gov for future events throughout the summer and fall coming to your neighborhoods (see the calendar below for August opportunities).

The Providence City Council is the legislative body that serves the many diverse communities of the City of Providence. Each council member serves as an advocate for their neighborhood and as a liaison between residents and the various departments and services our city has to offer.


To find your Councilor, click here. Already know your Councilor? Learn more about their work here.

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Providence City Council

council.providenceri.gov