Back to basics popular approach for Providence, even with challenges ahead.

Photo: Pamela Bhatia, Artistic Images

The Smiley Administration has released its priorities for this year, and accomplishments for the past year, which center around creating improvements to city services, public safety, housing and climate resiliency that have had tangible impacts on the quality-of-life of residents. 

“I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made in year one and am confident that we are on the path towards making Providence the world-class city we know it can be,” said Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “In the years ahead, my Administration will continue to build on this work, prioritizing the quality-of-life issues that matter most to our residents. I want to thank our many partners that have played instrumental parts in some of these milestones, and I especially want to thank the many city workers and department directors who have worked hard to realize these changes for our residents.” 

Enhancing public safety has remained a top priority for residents and local businesses. With the appointment of Chief Oscar Perez, the first Latino Providence Police Chief last year, the Mayor noted that over 161 ATVs and 295 guns have been removed from Providence streets. Fire Chief Derek Silva has championed initiatives to modernize the department and implement innovative programs, such as the EMS Bike Program. 

Payment in lieu of taxes have been agreed to with Providence’s colleges and universities, putting the city on firmer financial ground, signing a historic $223 million PILOT agreement, more than doubling financial contributions and serving as a national model for agreements in communities across the country.  

Investing in and improving city infrastructure has seen the City allocate $13 million for parks programs. Going into 2024, the administration notes that 570 repairs to sidewalks in neighborhoods across the city have been made and over $1.1 million in other infrastructure projects, with 24 local home-based and center-based childcare providers able to make improvements to their spaces and in some cases allowed them to welcome more children. $3 million went into the protective city hurricane barrier, to ensure Providence is protected from storm surges, part of larger efforts to invest in green infrastructure, improve stormwater management and make Providence more climate resilient. 

While Providence has been disproportionately impacted by Rhode Island’s housing crisis, the city is taking a multi-pronged approach to support immediate needs and make it easier to develop affordable housing within the city. Providence is one of the first communities to adopt new zoning ordinances to streamline the development process; $29 million to the Affordable Housing Trust; $4.3 million in ARPA funding for emergency shelter beds and other emergency housing solutions, with support for critical provider and housing programs like Amos House’s A Hand Up program, with plans to invest another $1.7 million in emergency housing supports in 2024.

2024 Community Satisfaction Survey – Business Survey still open

Mayor Smiley launched the 2024 Community Satisfaction Survey, for Providence residents, business owners, and community members to gauge their satisfaction with city services.

“We can build a better, stronger Providence by making City Hall a center of high-quality services, innovative solutions and easily accessible resources,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “This survey has helped us better understand what services are the most used and focus in on the areas that need improvement. I look forward to engaging residents in this process and getting valuable insights on how we should shape our biggest investments this year.” 

The Community Satisfaction survey was made up of two parts: a resident-focused public opinion poll that will be conducted by phone to a statistically representative sample of Providence residents and a digital survey open to all Providence businesses that is available in several languages, to encourage accessibility and participation. Surveys engage participants on quality of infrastructure, public safety, supports for Providence youth, and other key issues in Providence. The resident survey is closed.

Business owners are encouraged to participate at providenceri.gov/survey which is set to run through February 2.

Last year’s survey helped the Administration prioritize overhauling sidewalk repairs, hiring a new Providence Police Academy, investing in housing and youth out-of-school opportunities, and enforcing Providence’s noise ordinance through the city’s budget, federal funds, and capital improvement plans. 

The newly approved FY24 Capital Improvement Plan outlines investments in key areas such as $26 million in sidewalk repairs and improving ADA accessibility; over $61 million for road maintenance, street repair, and street resurfacing over the next five years; and $35 million per year for sewers and storm water management over the next five years. In total, the plan has $51,250,000 in proposed public works investments that add on to existing investments in sidewalks and repairs to the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. There is $11,110,000 that would go towards matching federal funding initiatives like the Safe Streets for All Grant ($27.2 million grant; $6.8 million CIP match) and Woonasquatucket River Greenway enhancement ($6.1 million through various funding; $3.95 million City match).