[Summit] Multiple notices from the City of Providence and Councillor John Goncalves (Ward 1) -- School Improvements, Bus Hub, Slow Streets, Virus, etc.

Thu Sep 3 18:52:05 UTC 2020

Good afternoon - here are some updates going on in the City the past two week! 

Update from the Mayor's Office 

City Announces Amended School Capital Improvement Plan, Paolino Donates Former St. Joseph’s Hospital

$300 million in Infrastructure Improvements to Providence Public Schools 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined Council President Sabina Matos, Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, Providence Public School Superintendent Harrison Peters, former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr. and President and Chief Executive Officer of StudioJAED Philip Conte to announce an amended School Capital Plan, building on the City’s historic investments in school infrastructure and commitment to creating innovative and welcoming learning spaces for Providence youth. The announcement included the donation of the former St. Joseph’s Hospital building, which will be used as a transitional education space for the District before becoming Providence’s newest Pre-K through Grade 8 school.

“Our school buildings have been and remain a top priority, even throughout these uncertain times,” said Mayor Elorza. “We need to build schools of the future, that are built to our students’ needs and that support multiple learning methods and approaches. I’m grateful to all of the partners who have come together to make this plan and these projects possible, ensuring that our students learn in spaces that truly inspire them.”  

The amended plan outlines $300 million in infrastructure improvements to Providence Public Schools, ensuring these learning facilities are welcoming to students and address the needs of our students. Of these funds, an estimated over $16 million will focus on student centric innovations and high impact visual enhancements, including creating spaces that support multiple learning methods and improving the appearance of facilities. This plan builds off the $20 million in repairs made last spring and summer to critical infrastructure and works toward Mayor Elorza’s 2017 commitment to invest $400 million in school spaces over the next decade. If necessary, the City will submit an additional “Necessity of School Construction” application for a Spring 2021 approval.  A list of projects can be found here.  

“As President of the City Council, I have been supportive of overhauling our schools and transforming them into learning spaces worthy of our families. This investment in our facilities is a step in the right direction in ensuring that learning occurs in spaces that are not only warm, safe, and dry, but also nurturing,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos.

To support these enhancements and future repairs made to facilities across the city, the former St. Joseph’s Hospital, generously donated by former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., will be used as a transitional education space for students. Upon the completion of these projects, the facility will become the District’s newest Pre-K through Grade 8 school. The approximately seven-acre site located at 21 Peace Street consists of multiple buildings, with about half of them being donated to the City at a value of more than $7 million. The donated property includes the East Building, the Chapel and the northern parking lot, which will be reimagined as learning spaces and utilized for parking as well as recreation by the new school. The City has budgeted $75 million towards improvements of this facility in  the School Capital Plan.

"Serving as the Mayor of Providence was the greatest honor of my life. But to me, service doesn’t end when you leave office,” Paolino said. “As a Providence resident, business leader, parent, and now grandparent, I know that the greatest investment we can make in our city’s future is in our children. This donation will provide our kids with a state-of-the-art facility where they can learn and thrive, and it will transform Broad Street forever. I am grateful to Mayor Elorza and Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris for facilitating this donation and to Commissioner Infante-Green for her vision in creating a better educational environment for all students in Rhode Island.”

In partnership with the District, building 21st century learning environments plays a critical role in the successful implementation of the Providence Turnaround Plan. In addition to this major Pre-K through 8 investment, there are several other exciting projects outlined in the amended plan including:

   - Windmill Street School (110 Paul Street, $30,500,000):  This school site will be renovated to serve as swing space  by the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year and for the next several years. After use as swing space, the goal is for the facility to be transitioned into a dedicated school facility. The District will continue to evaluate long-term educational programming that will be suitable for this space. 
   - Spaziano Elementary and Spaziano Annex (85 Laurel Hill Road, $24,043,078): In alignment with moving towards Pre-K to 8 stand-alone facilities or hubs throughout the District, Spaziano Elementary and the Spaziano Annex will be renovated to reflect updated goals and plans. Spaziano Annex will be rebuilt to be nearly double its size to support this vision, going from 17,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet.
   - Carl G. Lauro (99 Kenyon Street, $34,000,000 ): In alignment with moving towards Pre-K to 8 stand-alone facilities or hubs throughout the district, Carl Lauro, a historic landmark, will be renovated to be better utilized by the existing school community. 
   - Classical High School (770 Westminster Street, $25,250,908): Building off of the renovations that were recently completed in the science and math wing of the complex, the school will see significant improvements addressing major system deficiencies and investing over $3 million in student centric innovations and high impact visual enhancements.

"We must move across all fronts to transform the Providence schools and deliver for the students and families of this city, and that includes the spaces where learning takes place," said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. "The generosity of Mayor Paolino is a testament to his commitment to the community, and I look forward to turning this building into a space where educational excellence becomes routine. I also look forward to working with Mayor Elorza and city leaders as we advance a building plan that provides the foundation for real and lasting change for generations of Providence students."

The approval of the School Capital Plan coupled with unprecedented investments in Providence’s Capital Improvement Plan marks transformative investments in the city’s infrastructure. Since the plan’s original submission and throughout 2019, school buildings have seen structural repairs, improvements to the exterior of buildings, fire code improvements, security enhancements, mechanical and electrical maintenance, and continued investments in high impact enhancement projects and student-centric innovations. Many of the investments realized have been informed by the robust, year-long All In: Our Learning Spaces community engagement process, led by experts at StudioJAED in late 2017.

“Transforming our schools is a community effort, and former Mayor Paolino’s actions today set an incredibly high bar for giving back to the community,” said Harrison Peters, superintendent of Providence Public Schools. “The district will be working with the community to gain your input into the design process for this building and other upcoming capital projects, because all of us have roles to play in turning around Providence Public Schools.”

Projects included in the $20 million bond as well as the School Capital Plan can be found on the All In: Our School Facilities interactive map.

Masks, Masks, Masks!

The City now has masks available again through filling out this form: 

Mask form-SPANISH

Mask form-ENGLISH

The governor's office also provided the below contacts for masks, too:

Central Providence Health Equity Zone (FOR CHURCHES)

Allegra Scharff

770 Broad Street

401-864-5373

Rhode Island Black Business Association (FOR BUSINESSES)

Caitlyn Lemoi or Ardena Lee Fleming

1 Regency Plaza

401-381-1179

Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber (FOR BUSINESSES)

Oscar Mejias

1955 Westminister St, 2nd Floor

407-435-5845

omejias at rihispanicchamber.org

Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce (FOR BUSINESSES)

Laurie White

30 Exchange Terrace

401-529-8994

Jobs Available

The City of Providence Healthy Communities Office was recently awarded a five (5) year Partnerships for Success grant from SAMHSA. We are hiring a full-time Program Manager to oversee all aspects of this grant, which will focus on citywide underage alcohol and tobacco/nicotine use for youth ages 12-17 in out-of-school time settings. 

To learn more about the position and how to apply, visit:
https://www.providenceri.com/CityJobs/position.php?id=1416

Help Support Our Community During COVID-19

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The ongoing public health crisis has upended all our lives and left many of our neighbors struggling to provide basic necessities for their families. But throughout this event, I’ve been inspiring to see so many acts of kindness by our residents to help each other during this difficult time.

The City of Providence is teaming up with the United Way of Rhode Island and community partners to create the Providence Community Relief Fund to help our neighbors in need during this time. If you have the means and would like to make a contribution, you can do so online here.
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We are also excited to share that a local community member Mark Mandel has generously committed $25,000 to the Fund and has pledged to match future donations up to $25,000. The funds raised will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that serve Providence residents and could support a variety of initiatives, like food assistance and direct financial relief in our neighborhoods.

For those seeking support, the City has created and supported accessible COVID-19 bilingual testing centers, food distribution sites, housing and eviction resources, and financial relief for individuals and families across Providence. You can read more about the resources provided by the City and our community partners at our COVID-19 resources page.

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Please continue to keep each other safe by following our COVID-19 guidelines such as wearing a mask and maintaining at least six feet of distance between others when out in public. Together, we will overcome this virus and emerge stronger than ever.

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City of Providence Announces Summer Programming & Meals Extensions

City to Extend Meal Site Service, Waterpark Operations, and Play Ambassador Programming

PROVIDENCE, RI –  Mayor Jorge O. Elorza in partnership with the Providence Parks Department, the Providence Recreation Department, and the Providence Public School Department, announced Wednesday extended youth meal distribution site service and extended waterpark openings and Play Ambassador supports. Due to the statewide delay in school openings caused by COVID-19, the City has expanded summer services offered to youth and families to prevent gaps in access to nutritious food and safe recreation.

YOUTH MEAL DISTRIBUTION

Youth meal service will continue at summer meal sites as-is through Monday, August 31. Revised meal service will run from Tuesday, September 1 through Friday, September 11. There will be no service on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Multi-day meal distribution will begin on Tuesday, September 1 on Tuesdays and Fridays from 11:00AM to 2:00PM at the following sites:

   - Mt. Pleasant High School (434 Mt. Pleasant Ave.)
   - Gilbert Stuart Middle School (188 Princeton Ave.)
   - Providence Career and Technical Academy (41 Fricker St.)
   - Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex (182 Thurbers Ave.)
   - Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School (450 Broad St.)
   - Hartford Park (Across 300 Hartford Ave.)

Daily summer meal distribution will continue at various times on Tuesday, September 1 at the following sites:

   - George J. West Park (12:15pm-2:15pm) Chalkstone/ Mt. Pleasant Ave.
   - Sackett Street Park (12:00pm-2:00pm) 110 Sackett St.
   - Harriett and Sayles Park (12:00pm-2:00pm) 199 Oxford St.
   - General Street Playground (12:00pm-2:00pm) 11 West Drive
   - Joslin Park & Playground (11:30am-1:30pm) 17 Hyatt St.
   - Neutaconkanut Park (11:45am-1:45pm) 675 Plainfield St.

In order to best meet the needs of community members, Providence Housing Authority youth meal distribution sites will continue at Chad Brown & Admiral Terrace and Manton Heights on Tuesday and Fridays from 11:00AM to 2:00PM.

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The Providence Housing Authority
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WATER PARKS & PLAY AMBASSADOR PROGRAMMING EXTENSION

The City and Providence Parks Department will be extending operations and staffing at waterparks to September 12. Many waterparks also serve as meal site distribution locations.

The below parks and playgrounds listed below will offer Play Ambassador staffing through September 12. The Providence Parks Finder can be utilized to find nearby park locations. Recreation Department locations can be found on the Department’s website  Locations with extended programming include:

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Find your Park - City of Providence
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Providence Recreation - City of Providence
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   - Donigian Park
   - Neutaconkanut Park
   - John O. Pastore Park
   - Joslin Park & Playground
   - General St./Providence Recreation Headquarters
   - Paul Grande Park
   - West End Rec Center
   - Riverside Park
   - Harriet & Sayles Park
   - Richardson Park
   - Miguel Luna Park
   - Dexter Training Ground
   - James Ahern Park
   - Cabral Park
   - Billy Taylor Playground
   - George J. West Park
   - Mt. Pleasant Park
   - Columbia Park Playground
   - Brandon's Beach Playground
   - Corliss Park
   - Merino Park
   - India Point Park Playground
   - Gladys Potter Park
   - Father Lennon Park
   - Pearl Street Playground
   - Kerry Kohring Park
   - Conlon Memorial Park

A full list of COVID-19 resources can be found at PVDCOVID19.com.

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FAQs about COVID-19 - City of Providence

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Frequently Asked Questions for Providence RI
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Update on COVID-19 Testing 

Free #COVID19 testing is available throughout the City. Have symptoms? Think you may have been exposed? Get tested. Know if you have the virus. Slow the spread. Walk-up & drive-up testing are available. http://pvdcovid19.com *PCHC location change effective today

The Providence Human Relations Commission, the African American Ambassador Group Police Advisory Subgroup and city staff, are and have been hosting a series of community meetings.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION REGARDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ BILL OF RIGHTS (LEOBOR)

Join the Human Relations Commission and the African American Advisory Group Police Advisory Subgroup for a community meeting to discuss the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. Adopted in 1976, LEOBOR protects officers accused of misconduct from being immediately fired or placed on unpaid leave. Spanish translation will be made available and all are welcome to attend.

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

6:00-8:00PM

This meeting will be conducted via Zoom.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/93109395266

Meeting ID: 931 0939 5266

Dial by your location: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

Please RSVP for these meetings here.

For any questions regarding the above mentioned meetings, please email Andi Wheeler, Director of Human Relations Commission, at awheeler at providenceri.gov.

City of Providence Announces Additional Resources for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
Providence Business Loan Fund Granted $836,000 from the Economic Development Administration to Administer Loans to Providence-Based Small Businesses

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced the Providence Business Loan Fund received $836,000 in additional resources from the Economic Development Administration through the CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant program to administer emergency loans for local small businesses affected by COVID-19. To date, the Providence Business Loan Fund has approved over $1.4 million in emergency loans to 23 local businesses including 17 minority- and women-owned.

“Providence is a resourceful, resilient City and we are committed to providing relief to our local business community,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “While we have much more work ahead to navigate the economic impacts of COVID-19, I am encouraged by the positive impact that PBLF funding is having on our residents and business owners.”

In April, the City of Providence announced a series of resources to help local businesses impacted by the public health crisis, including $1.5 million dollars in funding available through PBLF. For over 25 years, the Providence Business Loan Fund has helped businesses scale their operations and create employment opportunities across the city. Notable recent recipients include Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Yolenis, and Viva Mexico. While the fund typically offers secure loans from $50,000 to $500,000, businesses can apply for emergency loans that start at $10,000. New loan recipients also receive closing costs capped at $500, zero interest for up to 12 months, and deferred loan payments for 6-12 months. Funding from the Economic Development Administration will further support the PBLF’s emergency loan program by providing immediate access to capital for Providence-based businesses.

City Council President Sabina Matos stated, “My colleagues and I continue to receive phone calls from small businesses in our neighborhoods who are continuing to struggle to make ends meet. We are hopeful that these additional funds from the EDA, coupled with the City Council and Providence Revolving Fund micro-loan program, will supply additional aid and help keep these micro- businesses afloat while they continue to work towards rebuilding.” 

Businesses interested in learning more about PBLF emergency loans—including eligibility requirements—should visit  providencebusinessloanfund.com, or contact PBLF Director Tom Hoagland by calling 401-680-8412. Businesses ineligible for loans through PBLF are encouraged to apply for federal funding through the U.S. Small Business Administration economic injury disaster loans. Comprehensive information about these loans and how to apply for them, can be found on Commerce RI’s COVID-19 Disaster Loan FAQ. For  information on city operations and about Providence’s response visit www.pvdcovid19.com or call PVD 3-1-1 to connect to the Mayor’s Center for City Services 8:00AM-8:00PM every day.

Update from the Planning & Development Department 

Slow Streets Update 

After a successful four-month pilot, the Providence Slow Streets initiative will enter an exciting, new phase. In preparation for the transition, starting today (8/24) all remaining Slow Streets barriers will be removed. This evolution will support the installation of permanent neighborhood greenways on select former Slow Streets (Vermont-Farragut, Ontario-Oxford, Peace-Waverly) that will more effectively reduce speeding and improve safety.

For more info on the program, visit https://www.providenceri.gov/pema/providence-slow-streets/

Thank you and have a great rest of your weekend! 

Best,

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Alexis E Kievning
Neighborhood Liaison
Preferred Pronoun: she/her/hers

Department of Planning and Development
Joseph A. Doorley Municipal Building
444 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Akievning at providenceri.gov
(401) 680-8400 | Ext: 5408
Call to Connect | PVD311

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PVD 311 - City of Providence

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   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Councilman John Goncalves <info at johnforward1.com>To: Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2020, 09:11:50 AM EDTSubject: Ward 1 Updates [Please Read]
   Keeping you informed about the neighborhood  
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|  Hello David, 

I hope this message finds you and your family well. August has been an extremely busy month and there are several initiatives that we have been working on with announcements forthcoming. Despite the precarious and unprecedented times we find ourselves in, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to read this newsletter. While these e-mails contain a lot of information, I send these out to keep neighbors in our Ward informed and ultimately hope that this information is helpful to you!  

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if I can ever be of any assistance or help to you.  

Know a neighbor who'd like to receive these updates? Sign up here. Please encourage neighbors to sign up and subscribe so they can also be in the loop. Also, please call me at any time: 401-227-5056.   |

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|  This e-mail covers several important items in our community:

1) Ward 1 Coffee Chats
2) Calling Additional Volunteers! Ward 1 Community Summer Clean Up!
3) Calling For Volunteer(s) Who Can Help Maintain Maureen's Garden
4) "Produce In The Parks" Fall Share Sign Up
5) Kennedy Plaza Bus Proposal Opposition 
6) 1000 Mixed Recycling Magnets! Claim Your Free Magnets!
7) $140M Bond For School Construction
8) Open Air Saturdays in Downtown! (Westminster Street)
9) A Call For Unity Letter & Community Policing Survey   |

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|  Ward 1 Coffee Chat with Councilman Goncalves
As you know, accessibility and communication is something that is incredibly important to me as your Councilperson. As such, for the next few Saturdays, I will be holding virtual coffee chats for one-on-one conversations with Ward 1 constituents via ZOOM or by phone. Drop in to ask questions, discuss any issues you see in the community, or just have an informal chat with me for 30 minutes

Saturday, September 5th from 10 A.M.-Noon

Join by ZOOM or by phone.

If you have questions or a topic to discuss, feel free to email Dorian Griffin at Dgriffin at providenceri.gov beforehand. Please be sure to also RSVP below.
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|  Calling all volunteers! There’s no better way to contribute to a cleaner and healthier Ward 1 community than by volunteering to tackle out-of-control waste. Join me and our fellow community members for a summer, socially-distanced Ward 1 clean up. More details forthcoming about the date and time, but please sign-up if you're interested in participating in the near future!  |

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|  Sign-Up To Volunteer Here!  |

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|  Seeking Volunteer With Gardening Experience in Ward 1! 

Are you or someone you know an experienced gardener that can assist with maintaining our local elementary school garden? Ellen Lynch, a former retired teacher of Vartan Gregorian has been so graciously maintaining the garden weekly despite a long commute from Westerly.  As such, we're looking for a local volunteer who may be willing to check on/water the garden weekly. This would make a huge difference in ensuring that our children can see a garden that is beautiful and maintained while honoring the wonderful Maureen Kenner, a thirty-five-year educator in Providence, who I was blessed to know for decades, and who served as a vital influence at the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School at Fox Point, working tirelessly as a mentor and active participant for the betterment of all children and their families before losing her life to cancer in 2017. Maureen was a beautiful soul and may her soul rest in peace. 

If you or someone you know may be interested in this opportunity, please respond to this e-mail. Thank you so much.    |

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|  Produce In the Parks is launching a fall season beginning September 23rd and continuing through December 2nd (excluding November 25th, the week of Thanksgiving). Sign-ups for a full cost share can be found here, and for a subsidized share can be found here. The program will continue to accept EBT through the fall, and with EBT shares are half price. We are now offering a partial share option, whereby you can sign up for just the first or last 5 weeks of the program, rather than the full 10 weeks.

Thank you for supporting this program that has helped the seniors in our neighborhood access fresh fruits and veggies weekly in a safe way during COVID-19.   |

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|  Kennedy Plaza - Bus Proposal in Ward 1
While I'm not happy with the status quo in Kennedy Plaza and will continue to advocate for further beautifying the area for Downtown residents, in solidarity with the Rhode Island Transit Riders, GrowSmart, the Jewelry District, and RIPTA riders, we're urging the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to change their current bus proposal plans for Downtown Providence as they currently stand.

You can also watch Grow Smart RI’s John Flaherty discuss the issue with GoLocalProv here

Or read this Projo article here. 

Significant concerns have been expressed about RIDOT's proposed Dyer Street/Innovation District hub in Ward 1. Additionally, the plans as it stands will disproportionately inconvenience low-income communities, seniors, and persons with disabilities. This system, if not rectified, can lead to additional transfers for transit riders, adding to the stress of their commutes and also endangering the accessibility of public transit for RIPTA riders.

Everyday RIPTA riders depend on the bus system to go to work, buy groceries, or get them where they need to go, and the bus system plays an integral role in their day to day lives. Any plans to rearrange the system should be made with the utmost attention to the needs of all riders. These current plans do not take everyday riders into consideration and will only serve to further complicate their commutes to school or work. 

I want to thank my colleagues Helen Anthony and Nirva Lafortune for their partnership in submitting a resolution in opposition to the plan as it stands at tonight's City Council meeting and I want to thank all the advocates urging the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to reconsider their current plans and determine a better solution for all stakeholders involved.  
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|  FREE Mixed Recycling Magnets
In an effort to further educate the members of our community about mixed recycling, we are providing 1000 free mixed recycling magnets to residents in Ward 1 (pictured above). 

Whether you're a tenant, business owner, landlord, or someone who would like to educate neighbors/give out these magnets to promote environmentally sustainable practices, please reach out with your address and the # of magnets you would like to claim. The goal is to distribute all 1000 of them so please reach out! 

There are many benefits to spreading the word. Trees and water are saved by recycling, less oil and other natural resources are used to recycle materials in lieu of using new materials, and less waste is being sent to a landfill lessening the need to expand landfills. Let's all do our part in moving towards a more environmentally sustainable Ward and City.   
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|  Please Vote "Yes" For School Construction Bond
A few weeks ago, my Council colleagues and I passed a $140 million bond referendum for school-improvement projects across the city which must also be approved by voters in November. 

Among much-needed repairs and improvements to schools across the entire city, this bond would allow for over $5 million in student-centric investments to Vartan Gregorian/Fox Point Elementary School (also my grade school alma mater!) in our Ward in the coming years. I hope that you will vote "yes" for this measure in November. 