NEW: Cianci Announces Providence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
Monday, September 22, 2014
Former Mayor and Mayoral candidate Vincent "Buddy" Cianci unveiled his plan on Monday to revitalize Providence's neighborhoods, including a renewal of the Broad Street commercial district.
"I want families to walk out of the zoo and eat at one of these restaurants," Cianci said during a press conference Monday morning at campaign headquarters, of the proposal specifically for Broad Street.
Cianci unveiled two renderings of proposed changes to Broad Street from the I-95 Bridge, as well as Broad and Public. The Cianci campaign paid for the renderings, which were done by Sakasi Associates.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTRemoving Blighted Properties
Cianci addressed his plan to remove blighted properties from the city, including initiating a program to acquire tax titles to vacant homes and lots and clear titles by foreclosing all rights of redemption under the existing applicable state statute.
Cianci said he would propose legislation that would "allow the city to assign this inventory of once cleared of titles and liens blighted properties to the Providence Redevelopment Agency for resale at a nominal cost to local developers, new homeowners, or adjacent property owners."
In his plans unveiled Monday, Cianci also offered his proposals for safer streets, protecting the historic character of neighborhoods with historic tax credits, addressing graffiti with a tracking system, supporting neighborhood libraries and urban farming, and using GPS tracking for school buses.
Broad Street Focus
"I now want to turn our city's focus to initiate one of the most ambitious and potentially significant commercial revitalization projects in recent history," said Cianci of his plans for Broad Street.
Cianci spoke to creating programs for businesses to establish here, and creating microloan programs to make it happen.
"This is just the beginning of the conversation," Cianci told the crowd assembled on Monday. "We've done it before with Federal Hill. The formula is there, we can make it happen."
Cianci was questioned as to the project costs -- and politics behind it -- at the press conference Monday morning.
"South Providence is the biggest support group I have," said Cianci, when asked if the proposal was a way to get votes. "This isn't about wards. This is a neighborhood that needs help."
When asked how much the project would cost, Cianci said the costs would "depend."
It's the beginning of a vision," said Cianci. "We didn't know what Capital Center was going to cost," referring to the major renovations completed in Providence in 1996.
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