City Announces Free Two-Hour Parking in Business Corridors on Weekends in May to Celebrate National Small Business Month
Mayor Brett P. Smiley today joined City Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo, the Providence Department of Economic Development and the Providence Department of Licensing for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new Providence Business Center at 444 Westminster Street. The Providence Business Center is a new dedicated one-stop shop designed to support local businesses and streamline access to city services.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and we are committed to making City services more accessible, responsive and easy to navigate,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “The Providence Business Center brings key services together under one roof, saving business owners time and helping them focus on what matters most, running and growing their businesses.”
Located Downtown, the Providence Business Center offers in-person concierge services to help business owners navigate licensing, loan programs and other municipal processes more efficiently. The Center supports the Smiley Administration’s commitment to making it easier to start, grow and sustain a business in Providence.
The ribbon cutting event brought together City leaders, local business owners and community partners to celebrate this new resource and its role in strengthening Providence’s business community while kicking off Small Business Month during May.
“Our City of Providence Business Center is our commitment to ensuring no entrepreneur walks that path alone,” said President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo. “By streamlining the complexities of starting up, we aren’t just supporting individual owners, we are offering the hands-on support that micro and small businesses need to thrive. We are fueling the economic engine of our neighborhoods. When our local shops succeed, Providence as a whole succeeds.”
The City also announced Found in Providence, a local campaign to encourage Providence residents, visitors and businesses to share their finds throughout the month for a chance to win tickets to the Roger Williams Park Zoo, among other prizes. This effort is focused on supporting businesses in every neighborhood and encourages visitors to walk further to find something new. On weekends in May (Friday-Sunday) the City will offer free two-hour parking in Providence’s major commercial corridors. Participating businesses may offer extended hours, sidewalk sales or special experiences.
Free two-hour parking will be available in the following locations:
Broad Street
· Public Street to Montgomery Avenue
College Hill
· Angell Street-Brook Street to Prospect Street
· Brooke Street to Bowen Street
· Euclid Avenue-Brook Street to Thayer Street
· Meeting Street-Brook Street to Brown Street
· Prospect Street-George Street to Angell Street
· South Water Street-Crawford Street Bridge to Wickenden Street
· South Main Street-Wickenden Street to College Street
· Thayer Street-Bowen Street to Waterman Street
· Waterman Street-Prospect Street to Hope Street
Downtown
- Downtown Providence-bounded by Sabin Street, Memorial Boulevard, Dyer Street, Clifford Street and Dave Gavitt Way.
Federal Hill
· Atwells Avenue – Bradford Street to Sutton Street
· Brayton Avenue-West Exchange Street to Spruce Street
· Dean Street-Atwells Avenue to West Exchange Street
· Spruce Street-Dean Street to Acorn Street
Fox Point
· Ives Street-Wickenden Street to Preston Street
· Wickenden Street-Benefit Street to Ives Street
Hope Street
· Rochambeau Avenue to Blackstone Boulevard
Jewelry District
· Jewelry District-bounded by Clifford Street, Eddy Street, Point Street and East Franklin Street
· Point Street-Point Street Bridge to East Franklin Street
State House/Train Station
· Canal Street-Smith Street to Park Row
· Francis Street-Hayes Street to Smith Street
· Gaspee Street-Smith Street to Francis Street
· North Main Street-Steeple Street to Smith Street
· Park Street-Smith Street to Orms Street
· Park Row & Park Row West-North Main Street to Exchange Street
· State Street-Orms Street to Smith Street
Olneyville Square
· Bounded by Route 10, Delaine Street, Atwood Street, & Magnolia Street
Wayland Square
· Angell and South Angell Streets-Butler Avenue to Gano Street
· Wayland Avenue-Angell Street to Waterman Street
While parking meter violations will not be issued during free two-hour parking in the specified districts, two-hour parking limits will be enforced to allow all residents and visitors to take advantage of the campaign.
Business owners and members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn more about the services available at the Providence Business Center.