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Doing It Right

Will Morgan has a great column about a developer doing it right:

Developer David Baskin and his team spent time and sensitivity giving new life to what had been an impressive, even majestic 1910 block of flats, complete with two monumental porticos.

Working with Providence architect Bruce Bisbano and Warwick builder Rouben Balagian of Build PROS, Baskin has created a surprisingly attractive addition to the neighborhood.

READ MORE

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Maybe RI’s Downtowns Aren’t Doing So Badly After All

A GoLocal Editorial writes:

A recent trip to Washington, D.C., was a reminder of how beautiful our nation’s capital is and it instilled clarity that all cities are not bouncing back from COVID and the work-from-home syndrome equally. Maybe things aren't so bad in Rhode Island.

The affluent Georgetown neighborhood is littered with retail vacancies — a guesstimate is 20% are vacant today.

Homeless camps are visible on M Street between the Ritz Carlton and the Four Seasons and Georgetown.

In downtown Washington, many storefronts are for lease — it appears to be about the same percentage as in Georgetown. Because so many employees are still working from home, the traffic and energy are muted.

In contrast, in Rhode Island, areas like Wayland Square on Providence's East Side have few if any vacancies. Hope Street's retail strip is bustling. Newport’s retail is getting close to returning to pre-COVID occupancies.

Bristol and Warren are humming along.

Garden City continues to be a retail marvel. Even Providence Place which was nearing life support before COVID hit, has added a major new restaurant and a number of new retailers in recent months.

Downtown Providence has its holes but continues to add new stores, businesses, and restaurants.  It has lost places like Yoleni's and Rory's Market, but that may have as much to do with Trader Joe's arrival as anything else. The prospect of a $ 20-plus million food hall is a potential boon to the city.

Perfection no, but Rhode Island’s retail areas are doing better than many in the country.

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Junior Achievement's Big Month

Last week, Junior Achievement of Rhode Island was named a recipient of the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award, a $200,000 grant given each year to two local non-profits for work advancing economic mobility and building up underserved neighborhoods.

This week, Junior Achievement of Rhode Island hosted its annual JA Inspire Career Exploration Fair. This one-of-a-kind event introduced more than 5,000 8th graders from across the state to high-growth, high-demand careers that will set them on a path to high school, college, and career success.

According to JA, the hands-on activities and discussions with more than 94 exhibitors, these young people can make the connection between what they are learning in school to the real world through JA Inspire.

PHOTO: Peter Goldberg

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Senator DiPalma Honored by HARI With Award for Public Service

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Louis P. DiPalma has been honored by the Hospital Association of Rhode Island (HARI) with the 2023 Francis R. Dietz Award for Public Service at HARI’s annual meeting.

Kudos to DiPalma who was recognized for his leadership on securing funding in the FY 2023 state budget for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.  

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Kudos to the Winners

The Providence-Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau honored 26 frontline industry workers, nominated by the leadership at their organizations, with Hospitality Hero Awards.

They are:

·      Raymond Andreozzi, Banquet Captain at Bally’s Twin River

·      Josh Antuna, Archery Host and Expert at Archery Games Providence

·      T’shon Ayala, Support, Barback and Food Runner at Res American Bistro

·      Allison Barry, Cultural Affairs Manager at The Department of Art, Culture and Tourism

·      Laurie Bembry, Guest Agent at Clarion Hotel

·      Ashley Bizier, Moonshine Events Director at Moonshine Alley

·      Jennifer Blanchet, Shuttle Driver at Hampton Inn & Suites Providence Downtown

·      Biane Braz, Cook at G Pub

·      Christopher Burt, Cook at Wicked Good Bar & Grill

·      Phil Cannistraci, Tour Guide and Transportation Driver at Experience Rhode Island

·      Anthony Cardaci, Food Runner at Rooftop at the G

·      Naylah Clerjuste, Front of House Manager at Angelo’s Civita Farnese

·      Sarah Hartland, Server at Gracie’s

·      Fallon King, Assistant Manager at Caffe Nero

·      Krystle Lindberg, Deputy Finance Director at City of Providence

·      Roberto Mattiello, Casino Cafe and Grille Bartender at Bally’s Tiverton

·      Richard Ryan, Group Sales Manager at Crowne Plaza

·      Helen Richter, Barista at Ellie’s 

·      Jacqueline Salera, Bartender at Bally’s Twin River

·      Sal Santiago, Housekeeping Manager at Courtyard Providence Downtown

·      Jeremiah Santos, Cook at Sarto

·      David Schiavone, Server at Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse

·      Officer Lincoln Sisson and K9 Kyra, Explosive Detection K9 at Amica Mutual Pavilion and Rhode Island Convention Center

·      Cindy Sousa, Accounting Manager at Fairfield Inn & Suites

·      Lynne Webster, Server at Mill's Tavern

        Jean Claude Wehbe, Purchasing and Account Payable Manager at Providence Marriott Downtown

PHOTO: N. Millard, GoProvidence

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URI and PC Hoops 

Both the Rams and the Friars are 3-0.

It is early, but both teams look significantly better than last season. 

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Nothing to See Here

A series of GoLocal reports unveiled that former Democratic Congressman David Cicilline, during a five-plus month tenure as head of the Rhode Island Foundation, has scheduled a Democratic fundraiser and hired two of his former political cronies.

The Foundation, which is supposed to be non-political, defends Cicilline. 

In a statement to GoLocal, the chair of the board, Dr. Alan Kurose said no policies have been made by Cicilline.

“The Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Foundation has full confidence in the work of the Foundation’s team, including in our President and CEO,” said Kurose.

“Prior to David’s start at the Foundation on June 1, the Rhode Island Democratic Party informed him that they would be presenting him with an award in acknowledgment of his years of service, at an event that was originally scheduled for last Friday. While the intention was appreciated, David decided that accepting the recognition was not appropriate due to the nature of his new role. I support that decision,” Kurose said.

“The Foundation does have a policy in place regarding employee engagement in political activities and political fundraising. Employees are not prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities if those activities do not occur during business hours. However, the policy also recognizes that ‘Management and public-facing employees need to be aware that by the very nature of their roles, a certain risk exists that their presence in the community may be perceived as the Foundation's endorsement of a particular political leader. Thus, employees need to have a keen awareness and use appropriate good judgment and caution,’” added Kurose.

“In addition, the policy recognizes that ‘not every potential situation can be addressed (by such a policy statement).’ David Cicilline has not violated this or any other policy of the Rhode Island Foundation. Foundation board members are also free to engage in political activities and political fundraising, but only as individuals and not on behalf of the Foundation,” Kurose said.

“It is not surprising that during our employees’ and board members’ personal and professional lives they would choose to engage in activities that align with actions – whether political or not – that they support. To behave as an active and informed citizen, regardless of political affiliation, is an expected and desired characteristic of individuals drawn to serving the mission of a community foundation.  Their doing so does not impact the important nonpartisan work of the Foundation,” he added.

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Financial Viability of Pawtucket Soccer Stadium Project -- Financial Advisor Quits Over "Concerns"

GoLocal has received a copy of a letter to the City of Pawtucket and the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency from its municipal advisor announcing its resignation over concerns about the stadium deal and the bond offering.

In a letter to Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and Bianca Policastro, the executive director of the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, three top Hilltop Securities executives notified the city of the firm's resignation.

“As you know we have detailed concerns about the proposed stadium transaction and bond offering. As a fiduciary to the City of Pawtucket and its development agency…we must do what we believe is in the City’s and PRA’s best interest,” said the letter.

“Therefore, please let this serve as Hilltop’s notice to the city and the PRA of our withdrawal as municipal advisor on this bond offering,” continued the letter. The letter was dated August 16, 2023.

Until this GoLocal report, the letter had not been made public. 

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WooSox for Sale, According to Lucchino

The Worcester Red Sox, the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, is for sale.

WooSox chairman and principal owner Larry Lucchino said on a podcast this week that the AAA affiliate of the Boston Red Sox is for sale.

"I'm 78. It's time to sell the team," Lucchino told Bob Lobel and Mike Lynch in the podcast. "We're trying to find a local buyer."

Lobel and Lynch host Unanchored Sports.

WooSox president Charles Steinberg confirmed to WBZ-TV's Dan Roche that Lucchino is looking to sell and wants to do so with a local buyer.

No sale is imminent, though, according to Steinberg, though interested parties have been making offers going as far back as 2021.

Latest for Club

The WooSox were plucked from Pawtucket after Rhode Island refused to provide nearly $100 million in total subsidies.

The team was purchased by a group from the late Ben Mondor’s widow, Madeline, in 2015.

The team and the state of Rhode Island then battled back and forth over the financing scheme to keep the team in Rhode Island. 

Lucchino is part of a group that purchased the team.

Ultimately, when Rhode Island officials refused the team’s demands, the PawSox cut a deal with the City of Worcester, where Polar Park was constructed at a cost of $159 million.

The team has a 35-year lease with the ballpark.

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EXCLUSIVE: Cost of Soccer Stadium Soars by $13.7M — 70% Increase in 2 Years, Now $137.7M

GoLocal has secured a key consulting document for the proposed City of Pawtucket’s bond issuance to finance the proposed minor league soccer stadium, which unveils that the cost of the minor league soccer stadium has jumped up yet again — by an additional $13.7 million — now, to $137.7 million.

In 2022, the developer of the stadium, Brett Johnson, projected the cost of the stadium to be $81 million. Now, the price of the stadium has increased by 70% in less than two years.

The report secured by GoLocal was prepared on behalf of the developers in anticipation and as a support document for the issuance of tens of millions of dollars of bonds by the City of Pawtucket.  READ MORE