Providence invests $3.25 million to make significant upgrades to local community center
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, Providence City Councilwoman Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), State Senator Ana Quezada (Dist. 2), State Representative Grace Diaz (Dist. 11), members of the City’s Public Property team and community members broke ground today on the Elmwood Community Center renovation project. The $3.25 million project is part of the City’s coordinated Capital Infrastructure Investments and funded by $1.5 million from the Capital Improvement Plan and $1.5 million from Providence’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act.
“As Mayor, investing in our neighborhoods has been a top priority,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “Combined with the transformation of our parks system, we are continuing to invest in the neighborhood spaces that bring the community together. The Elmwood Community Center is an important neighborhood institution, and it is exciting to bring it back to life. It is a great day for the city and for the South Side.”
Planned renovations will include modifications to the second-floor assembly hall, capable of hosting up to 300 people for community events and gatherings. The project will also include upgraded ventilation systems, increased energy efficiency, improved plumbing, electrical and fire suppression systems, upgraded sports facilities, and ADA compliant restrooms, as well as new interior and exterior finishes. Planned construction and renovations to the Elmwood Community Center, which has been closed since July 2019, are expected to be completed in summer 2023.
“I am very pleased that the community center for the Elmwood neighborhood is being renovated,” said State Representative Grace Diaz. “This community center is also a voting location, community gardening center, senior support network and is emblematic of the history of the Elmwood community. Thank you to the Mayor and administration for bringing this community center back to life.”
Additionally, the City of Providence received $250,000 from a municipal resilience grant through the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank to purchase an emergency generator for the facility, which will start the process of preparing the community center to act as a resiliency hub. Becoming a resiliency hub allows the community center to coordinate resource distribution and services before, during or after a natural hazard event.
“The Elmwood neighborhood has been waiting for these investments into the community center, and I appreciate the work of the City to make them happen,” said State Senator Ana Quezada. “I am looking forward to this building once again hosting community meetings and youth programs.”
Renovation work is being completed by Martone Construction of Narragansett, RI. Progress on the Elmwood Community Center renovation project will be documented on the City’s newly launched Infrastructure Project Dashboard, which can be found at providenceri.gov/infrastructure. The Providence Infrastructure Project Dashboard makes it more transparent and accessible for Providence residents to track ongoing infrastructure projects citywide. The new online dashboard provides information about recently completed, ongoing and planned construction projects throughout the city.
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