State to Turn New $21.9M Pedestrian Bridge Over to Providence for $1, According to 2011 Agreement
Friday, August 09, 2019
The brand new $21.9 million Providence pedestrian bridge to be dedicated on Friday morning by Governor Gina Raimondo and other state officials will be turned over to the city of Providence for just $1, according to a document secured by GoLocal.
The agreement signed in 2011 between state officials and then-Mayor Angel Taveras’ administration outlines the conditions for the transfer of the new bridge.
The Providence City Council approved the plan in a resolution in 2011.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe agreement also outlined that the total cost was expected to be $6 million and that any overruns would be paid by the city.
The project was completed six years late and approximately 700 percent over initial budget will be maintained by the city going forward.
Now, Mayor Jorge Elorza will be in charge of maintaining the gleaming new bridge.
Rhode Island Department of Transportation officials were confused when GoLocal asked them about a 2011 agreement in a phone call on Thursday afternoon. The spokeswoman for the agency said she did not believe an agreement was ever executed.
Raimondo's press office refused to answer questions if the transfer was a good idea, considering the job Providence is doing maintaining roads, schools, and Waterplace Park.
Josh Block, Raimondo's press secretary repeatedly refused to questions about turning over the state's asset to the city.
The “Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge Design, Construction, Maintenance, Funding and Ownership Agreement by and between the City of Providence and RI DOT,” states:
“WHEREAS upon completion of the Project, the State will transfer ownership of the Project to the City, and the City will be responsible for the ownership and maintenance of the completed Project including the bridge superstructure, substructure, railing, architectural features, and all other associated amenities...”
City Failing at Maintaining Waterplace Park
A GoLocal review of Waterplace Park finds that the City of Providence has done a poor job maintaining the iconic park, with weeds, broken benches and graffiti littering the area.
The city of Providence took over control of Waterplace a few years ago and has leased out the restaurant space at Waterplace.
SEE PHOTOS BELOW OF DECAY AT WATERPLACE PARK
According to the agreement, Upon completion of the Project the City will:
a.) Assume ownership of the Project, to be known as the Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge, in its entirety, including the existing granite pier bases and subsurface foundations; b.) Maintain the Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge in accordance with the
plans and specifications developed for the Project at its own cost and expense;
c.) Make ample accommodations and provisions each year in their budget for said
maintenance;
d.) Properly maintain, clean and repair the Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and its appurtenances in its entirety;
e.) Keep the Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge open to all public
pedestrian and bicycle traffic at all times; and
f.) Be responsible for all snow and ice removal on the Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge in a timely manner.
Providence Will Pay Just $1
Further, the $21.9 million state investment will be transferred for just $1, “Upon completion and final acceptance of the Project, the State will prepare the necessary documents in order to transfer ownership of the Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and associated land to the City and the City agrees to accept ownership of Providence River Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge and associated land for the cost of One Dollar ($1.00).”
Costs Ballooned
While the project now costs $21.9 million according to RIDOT officials, the cost according to the 2011 documents signed by the state were not to exceed $6 million.
WHEREAS the State has agreed to contribute funds not exceeding Four Million Dollars
($4,000,000) towards the design and construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS the State would have spent Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) to remove the granite piers but will contribute those funds and an additional Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) toward the construction of the Project; and
WHEREAS the City has agreed to contribute the remaining balance of additional funds required to complete the construction of the Project.
SEE PHOTOS BELOW OF DECAY AT WATERPLACE PARK
