195 Commission Needs to Work With Neighbors Rather Than Dictate, Says Providence Council Member
Friday, June 24, 2022
Providence City Councilman John Goncalves is calling out the 195 Commission for what he says is their lack of effort to work with the surrounding neighborhoods.
This is just the latest criticism of the Commission which is chaired by Boston lawyer Robert Davis.
Goncalves is calling on the Commission to include residents and local business owners in its decision-making.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMoreover, he believes it may be time to end the Commission's oversight and return the powers over the land to City of Providence decision-makers.
Elected Official on Unelected Board
"Ahead of their next meeting to hear the mixed-use residential and commercial development proposals for Parcels 8 and 8A, I am respectfully asking Chairman Robert Davis, Executive Director Caroline Skuncik, and the members of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission to ensure decisions on the development of Providence land happen 'with the community' rather than simply 'to the community.' In my many discussions with constituents, there is a constant thread as we look toward future construction projects with mindfulness toward maintaining our neighborhood vibrancy and fabric," said Goncalves, who represents Providence's First Ward.
Proposed 10-story project would go next to a historic church in Fox Point. RENDERING: Churchill & Banks
"The area always has and should support local restaurants and shops from Al Forno to Bacaro to Geoff's to Felini's to Coffee Exchange to Adler’s Hardware. South Main, South Water, and Wickenden Street is our artsy, funky character-filled shopping destination that should not be overtaken by luxury housing and undermined by the retail corporatization of this area," he added.
The 195 Commission's spokesperson Cara Cromwell provided the following statement on behalf of the body.
"The Commission has a good working relationship with Councilman Goncalves and appreciates his ongoing interest in projects in the 195 District,” said Caroline Skuncik, Executive Director of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission. “There are several ways that members of the public can weigh in during the course of a project and we will continue to listen to the comments and suggestions we receive.”
The City Councilman, however, called for a more formal process for community input.
Goncalves said, "Constituents are once again requesting that the Commission formalize and establish a task force of neighborhood abutters/representatives and local businesses who can help develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs) on the front end to ensure alignment with our vibrant neighborhoods. If the commission cannot follow through on this request, we will respectfully urge the rest of our colleagues in government to advocate that the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President create such a task force or otherwise give back municipal oversight and local zoning control of the I-195 Special Economic Development District."
In another matter related to the 195 Commission, GoLocal was first to report on Thursday that the Rhode Island Supreme Court has given the green light to the 46-story Fane tower. One of the litigants in the case Peter Scotti, who opposes the construction of the Fane project issued a highly critical statement of the 195 Commission's decision-making.
"It is most unfortunate that the Rhode Island Supreme Court was unable to undo the damage caused by the I-195 Commission’s ill-conceived actions. The Commission’s mission was to foster economic development and create job opportunities instead all they have been able to deliver are outrageously expensive apartments built with taxpayer subsidies and apparently without architectural input. The Commission should be disbanded," said Scotti.
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