PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — From city buildings to city parks, Providence leaders are investing nearly $150 million to make improvements across the capital city.
by MOLLY LEVINE, NBC 10 NEWS
City Council approved the Capital Improvement Plan last week.
“We now have a long-term capital plan for the city, which is the right way to make these kinds of investments,” said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
Of the $148.5 million going into capital improvements, Smiley said almost $50 million will go towards a new garage for the Department of Public Works vehicles.
“The current DPW garage is actually being held up with temporary bracing, it is well past its useful life,” said Smiley. “We have tens of millions of dollars’ worth of equipment that we own, big trucks, street sweepers,” he said.
The new garage is set to go behind the current office building, which is on Chapman Street.
Another good chunk of change will be used for improvements to City Hall, starting with the roof.
“Obviously a beautiful and important historic building, but also a really important place where people come to do business,” said Smiley. “Thousands of residents and business owners come to City Hall on a weekly basis, and they deserve to do their business in a building that is watertight and properly cooled and heated,” he said.
Mayor Smiley said the city will also continue upgrades to city parks, streets, and sidewalks.
Residents NBC 10’s Molly Levine talked to said they appreciate the investments into the present and future of Providence.
“Safe sidewalks are important, they’re important for the youth, for the kids, they’re going to school running around, but they’re also important for the elderly people and the older folks… They need to walk too, they have walkers, mothers have strollers,” said Providence resident, Nicky Ramirez.
The work won’t happen overnight, Smiley said by the end of five years, every park will have been renovated.
“I just feel like if you invest in all parts of the city, the city itself will grow,” said Ramirez.