The Comprehensive Plan: What People Are Saying

by Marisa Angell Brown

On May 30 and June 3, Providence Preservation Society (PPS) hosted community conversations about the city’s emerging Comprehensive Plan in the nonprofit’s second-floor meeting space on College Hill.  In all, about 75 people turned up to hear short reflections on the Plan offered by advocates [...]

What’s Wrong with the Land Use Plan?

by The Providence Sustainability Commission

Editor’s Note: Providence is currently engaged in a once a decade endeavor, writing its Comprehensive Plan, and this Comp Plan will be the foundation for zoning and development decisions throughout the city.  The Providence Eye will be publishing discussions about specific sections now under consideration.  [...]

Proposed ordinance would require Providence City Council approval before removing bike lanes

by Alexander Castro

The Providence City Council is trying to hit the brakes on a mayoral plan to remove the South Water Street bike lane. An ordinance introduced Thursday night by Councilor John Goncalves would require council approval for the removal of any bike lane in the city, [...]

Overview of the Budget Process

by Office of City Councilor Helen Anthony

On Wednesday, April 17, Mayor Brett Smiley will present his proposed city budget.  The City Council then has the opportunity to review and amend it.  The process is explained here, and public input is encouraged. PLEASE NOTE THAT CHANGES, INCLUDING MEETING DATES, MAY CHANGE OVER [...]

At Home with the Providence Housing Authority- the Largest Landlord in the City

by Rick Brooks

Deborah Wray arrived in Rhode Island from California in the midst of the blizzard of ’78.  Like many, she found herself snowbound and unable to travel.  But unlike many, Deb was charmed by the glistening snow, and she decided to stay in the Ocean State.  [...]

Courageous RI: Teaching Us to Talk (And Listen) To One Another

by Pam Steager

“I’m going to do it with my brother. We haven’t spoken in five years,”  declared Providence resident and attorney Elayne Burke.  She was talking about a process called “looping for understanding” which she had learned and practiced in the Courageous Conversation regarding High Conflict. Burke [...]

Black History Panorama

by Roseanne Camacho

The exhibit of historical artifacts illustrating the history contained in A Matter of Truth continues free and open to the public until the end of February on the walls of the lower level hallways in the State House, created by the Rhode Island Black Heritage [...]

Should Providence Be More Empowered to Delay Demolitions?

by Brent Runyon

Cities are faced currently with the delicate challenge of balancing progress with the preservation of their historical identity. The architectural remnants of the past often find themselves in the crosshairs of development projects to modernize. Recognizing the irreplaceable value of older buildings, many municipalities have [...]

City Increases Funding for United Way to Support Racial Equity Program

by Serafym Rybachkivskyi / The Brown Daily Herald

The city’s Board of Contract and Supply approved a Nov. 2 request from the Smiley administration to increase funding for the Providence-based racial equity nonprofit United Way of Rhode Island from $1.75 million to $3.35 million from the city’s $10 million COVID-19 Equities Program, widely known [...]

What Constitutes a Community That is Disproportionately Impacted by the War on Drugs? 

by Christopher Shea

That’s the question Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission hopes to better define as it works on initial regulations for recreational dispensaries. To do so, Chairperson Kimberly Ahern said at the commission’s Nov. 3 meeting, she would request data from state and federal agencies on which [...]