About
In 1946, the State enabled the creation of redevelopment agencies in every city and town in Rhode Island. Pursuant to this authority, the Providence Redevelopment Agency was established in 1947. Currently, the Agency operates under the powers set out in Chapters 31-33 of Title 45 of the Rhode Island General Laws, the “Redevelopment Act of 1956”.
Process
The focus of the Redevelopment Agency is the elimination and prevention of blighted and substandard areas. The Redevelopment Agency is also granted broad power to foster economic development in substandard and blighted areas.
Historically, Redevelopment Agencies across the country have used their broad powers to acquire properties and clear large tracts of land for redevelopment, based on their purpose of the elimination of blight.
Today, conditions have greatly changed. Fewer dollars are available for large-scale projects. Therefore, the Agency is taking a more nuanced approach to redevelopment which fosters neighborhood revitalization and private investment.
Through the Redevelopment Agency and the Providence City Plan Commission, and with the approval of the Providence City Council, areas of the City which contain blighted and substandard conditions are established as Redevelopment Areas. Redevelopment Plans are then created to establish project areas within the larger Redevelopment Area. This process is designed to create a coordinated strategy that proposes specific improvements to an area.
General Powers and Activities of the Redevelopment Agency:
- Acquisition and lease of property; Eminent Domain;
- Relocation of individuals or businesses;
- Renovation or demolition of property;
- Sale or lease of property;
- Restrictions on use of property;
- Preparation and implementation of Redevelopment Plans;
- Design layout and install sidewalks, public utilities, parks, off-street parking areas and other public improvements through requests for proposals and direct solicitation;
- Proposal of zoning changes;
- Lending and mortgaging of property;
- Issuance of bonds; and,
- Tax Increment Financing plans.
Members
The membership of the Providence Redevelopment Agency consists of the Mayor of the City of Providence, ex officio, and seven members. Five of the members are required to be resident electors of the City and are appointed by the Mayor, and two are required to be members of the City Council, appointed by the City Council.
Current membership is:
James V. DeRentis, Chair
Cliff Wood, Vice-Chair
Jesse Kenner, Member
Julius O. Kolawole, Member
Manuel Cordero, Member
Mary-Kay Harris, Councilwoman
Bryan Principe, Councilman
Mayor Jorge Elorza, Ex-Officio
Meetings & Agendas
The Providence Redevelopment Agency typically meets on the second Thursday of every month at 4:00 p.m at 444 Westminster Street, 1st-floor conference room to review pending applications.
Click here for the 2018 meeting schedule of the Providence Redevelopment Agency.
Click here for agendas and minutes for the Providence Redevelopment Agency.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
PURCHASE AND REDEVELOPMENT OF 39 JULIAN STREET (PLAT 62 LOT 371)
The Providence Redevelopment Agency invites proposals from the general public for the purchase and redevelopment of the property located at 39 Julian Street (Plat 62 Lot 371), in the City of Providence. The Request for Proposals will be available at the office of the Department of Planning and Development, 444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, during the hours of 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. No consideration will be given to proposals that are not consistent with the information required in the information package.
Proposals must be submitted in writing and to the Providence Redevelopment Agency, 444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, to the attention of Bonnie Nickerson, Executive Director, by May 11, 2018 at 3:00pm. No consideration will be given to proposals submitted after this date and time.
All questions regarding this request for proposals shall be directed to , Senior Real Estate Manager, 444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence, Rhode Island 02903.
Click here for the RFP package.
Click here for the legal notice posted Wed, April 18, 2018.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
FOR MATERIAL HANDLING, CRUSHING AND STOCKPILING SERVICES RELATED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GRANT FOR THE FORMER AMERICAN TOURISTER INC. SITE LOCATED AT 70 HOUGHTON STREET
The Providence Redevelopment Agency (“Agency”), in an effort to develop the former American Tourister site located at 70 Houghton Street in the Wanskuck section of the City of Providence, invites proposals from qualified firms for the handling, crushing, and stockpiling of demolition debris from the former site building remains that still exist at the property which will be used for future development activities at the property. Approximately 6,000 cubic yards of material including soil, asphalt pavement, concrete rubble, boulders, bricks and associated crumbled debris remain stockpiled in the northeastern corner of the property. An Existing Conditions Plan depicting the demolition debris stockpile is included as Exhibit A. All proposals shall include the required information enumerated in this information package.
Proposals shall be submitted in writing and be to the Providence Redevelopment Agency, 444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, to the attention of Bonnie Nickerson, Executive Director, by 3:00pm on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.
No consideration will be given to proposals submitted after this date and time. The Agency takes no responsibility for packages sent by mail or other means that cannot meet the deadline. Hand delivery is acceptable. The Agency may request additional documentation to assist in making its selection.
Click here for the RFP package.
Click here for the legal notice posted March 28, 2018.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SPECIAL
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR VACANT HOUSES
AS ADOPTED BY CITY OF PROVIDENCE
ORDINANCE 2017-50 NO. 477
The Providence Redevelopment Agency (“Agency”) in an effort to redevelop those
certain lots contained in that list attached to the Special Redevelopment Plan for
Vacant Houses as adopted by City of Providence’s Ordinance 2017-50 No. 477
and as more fully described in the RFP attached hereto (the “Property”), seeks
proposals for the rehabilitation of said Property. All proposals shall include the
required information enumerated in this information package, however, no
proposals will be accepted unless they are developed in accordance with the
Agency’s Special Redevelopment Plan for Vacant Houses, the Agency’s By-Laws,
the City of Providence Home Rule Charter, and the Providence Code of
Ordinances, as amended. AWARDS MADE HEREUNDER ARE SUBJECT
TO SUCCESSFUL FORECLOSURE PROCEEDINGS BY THE AGENCY.
Proposals shall be submitted in writing to the Providence Redevelopment Agency,
444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A, Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, Attention:
Bonnie Nickerson, Executive Director, by 3:00pm on Friday, March 16, 2018.
No consideration will be given to proposals submitted after this date and time. The
Agency takes no responsibility for packages sent by mail or other means that cannot
meet the deadline. Hand delivery is acceptable. The Agency may request additional
documentation to assist in making its selection.
Click here for the RFP package.
Click here for the March 1, 2018 Pre-Bid Meeting Presentation.
Click here for Questions & Answers from the March 1, 2018 Pre-Bid Meeting.
Contact Information
The Real Estate Division provides support to the PRA.
Bonnie Nickerson, Executive Director
Providence Redevelopment Agency
401.680.8400
Samuel Budway
Deputy Director|General Counsel Providence Redevelopment Agency
Providence Redevelopment Agency
401.680.5334
Barry Sullivan, Secretary
Providence Redevelopment Agency
401.680.8526
Darcy Charleson, Recording Secretary
Providence Redevelopment Agency
401.680.8501
Providence Redevelopment Agency
Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Municipal Building
Department of Planning & Development
444 Westminster Street, Suite 3A
Providence, RI 02903-3215
Phone: 401.680.8400
Fax 401.680.8492
Office Hours
January-June and September-December
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
July-August
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
