A picture of a man standing next to a train.

Jack’s Angle: More on the Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center – Jack Partridge

January 31, 2023/Jack Partridge

More good news on the transit center.

I was there this morning, and all went well. Commuters seemed happy and they boarded efficiently.

As to the planned passenger building, Governor McKee, long a supporter of the project, included funds for the passenger building in his proposed state budget. It will house restrooms, seating, coffee dispensers, (sorry, no canteen), ticket machines, an admin office and the like, to facilitate travel. The building is expected to go out for proposals in two months with construction on RIPTA owned land (so, no delays for land purchase), construction to begin after the selection of an architect and a contractor through usual state procedures, with a projected opening in 2024. Not too long to wait for something good.

It will be up to the General Assembly to approve funding, which means all users and Blackstone Valley businesses, and employers, in particular, should follow the budget process and let theit senators and representatives hear a clamor for the building.

Meanwhile, All Aboard! – because usage is the best evidence of need. Watch this space for updates. If you have suggestions for services in the building, feel free to pass them on to Jack’s Angle, through RINewsToday.

Editor’s Note: More details on what is planned, here: https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/governor-mckee-federal-state-and-local-partners-mark-opening-new-pawtucket-central

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To read more columns by Jack go to: https://rinewstoday.com/our-team/john-j-jack-partridge/

John J. ‘Jack’ Partridge, is a retired lawyer and Senior Counsel to the firm of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP, with four offices in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

A Pawtucket native, Jack graduates from St. Raphael Academy and summa cum laude of Providence College, where he majored in history. After Harvard Law School, he served in the United States Army in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1967, he joined the firm of Tillinghast Collins & Tanner. In 1988, he became a founding partner of Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP.

Jack has been engaged in many civic, political, governmental, and business organizations, serving as legal counsel to the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce for 27 years and was chairman of the Old Slater Mill Association, Common Cause Rhode Island, and Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island.

He is the co-founder of The Pawtucket Foundation and an officer and director of innumerable not-for-profit entities. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club and was Treasurer of the Ocean State Charities Trust.

Jack has a long history of leadership involvement with Providence College, which recognized him in 1999 with the Providence College Alumni Association Recognition Award for Public and Community Service, and in 2011, with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

He is married to the former Regina McDonald and has three children: Sarah, Gregory and David.

He is the author of four books – Scratched, Straight Pool, Carom Shot – and his new book, Under Blood Moons.