2015– 2016action plan for the economy

THE PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION/DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT/DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE PARKS CONSERVANCY
2015 – 2016 ACTION PLAN FOR THE ECONOMY
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON DECEMBER 10, 2014
TAXES
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Continue to advocate for no increase and possible decrease in commercial taxes
Advocate and partially sponsor a 10 year fiscal analysis, efficiency analysis and revenue analysis for the
City of Providence
Advocate for change in tax assessment appeal process
Oppose any tax, such as a municipal income tax, that would make the city less competitive for economic
development
INCENTIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT
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Continue to advocate for re-institution of state historic tax credits
Continue to advocate for a real estate tax stabilization program
Continue to identify and recommend new state and local program/incentives to promote more jobs and
housing in renovation and newly constructed buildings
Create a downtown development fund to accelerate the pace of downtown and Providence real estate
development and new business growth
PERMITTING
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City should allow developers to use own architects to certify fire code compliance which is allowed
under state law
City should designate an “ombudsman/concierge to shepard projects through process
City should consider out-sourcing plan review
Recommend integration of all city regulatory functions related to new development
Support a licensed site professional program for brownfields remediation similar to programs in
Massachusetts and Connecticut
I-195/KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY/STRENGTHEN THE OFFICE SECTOR
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Encourage development of r&d, lab and start-up space for bio-med companies
Continue promotion/marketing campaign to attract more office companies
Strengthen the network of downtown entrepreneurs and professionals
SPECIAL PROJECT: REDEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL NATIONAL TRUST BANK BUILDING
Convene the owner and stakeholders to help develop a viable re-use plan for the builder exploring all potential
reuses
Econ Dev_Action Plan 2015 2016
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THE PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION/DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT/DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE PARKS CONSERVANCY
2015 – 2016 ACTION PLAN FOR THE ECONOMY
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON DECEMBER 10, 2014
IMPROVE QUALITY OF PUBLIC SPACE
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Support Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy (DPPC) and the transformation of Greater Kennedy
Plaza; help DPPC become a legal, sustainable organization
Help develop and support an enhanced safety and security plan for Greater Kennedy Plaza and
surrounding area
Help develop and support a plan for the Soldier and Sailors Monument Plaza as part of Greater Kennedy
Plaza
With DPPC, lead effort to create the downtown providence parks network to coordinate and promote all
downtown parks
Geographically, expand DID services into Capital Center; the I-195/Jewelry District area and others
Support dredging of the Woonasquatucket and Providence Rivers along the Riverwalk
Continue to advocate for street and sidewalk repair, particularly in the Financial District
Advocate for phase two of the Amtrak Station area redevelopment plan
Support the development of City Walk; take lead in advocating for pedestrian/bicycle improvements on
the Clifford Street I-95 overpass
TRANSIT/TRANSPORTATION
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Continue support for the transformation of the Amtrak/MBTA Station into an intermodal center,
including a major bus hub
Continue support for the construction of the Garrahy Courthouse Garage including space for a bus hub
Continue to advocate for adequate funding for RIPTA
Advocate for increased train service in downtown station particularly more frequent faster service to
Boston
Investigate feasibility of an intermodal transportation authority including a parking authority
Recommend additional studies, particularly economic impact and funding studies, for the proposed
streetcar
DEVELOP A SAFE AND VIBRANT NIGHTTIME ECONOMY
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Support Hospitality Resource Partnership
Recommend that the city establish a nighttime economy manager
Econ Dev_Action Plan 2015 2016
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THE PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION/DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT/DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE PARKS CONSERVANCY
2015 – 2016 ACTION PLAN FOR THE ECONOMY
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON DECEMBER 10, 2014
PARTNERSHIP WITH REVOLVING FUND AND DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ON PROMOTING
RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, ARTS AND HOUSING
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Update and continue implementation of arts and retail management program
Continue marketing of downtown for retail, arts and residential
Promotion and maintenance of a customer friendly parking system
Wayfinding/signage installation
Strengthen connection between Providence Place Mall and the historic downtown
Fill the “gaps” in the sidewalk network using art, kiosks, and small retail spaces along frontage of vacant
lots/parking lots and blank building windows and walls
SPECIAL PROJECT: PUBLIC EDUCATION
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Advocate for the removal of the state moratorium on school construction aid and an increase in the
percentage of state construction aid for charter schools to equal the percentage of aid for other public
schools.
Support initiatives, by others, to improve public schools
Econ Dev_Action Plan 2015 2016
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