1999 Grant Recipient Information
Rhode Island

Olneyville Square Inter-modal Transit Center
Providence, Rhode Island

TCSP Project Site Visit Reporting Template

Sponsor: City of Providence, Department of Planning and Development

Summary of Project and Anticipated Products

Providence is undertaking a major neighborhood revitalization effort in Olneyville, one of twenty-five neighborhoods in the City of Providence that is also an Enterprise Community. The approach is an innovative model for using transportation and inter-modal facilities as the back bone of a neighborhood revitalization effort that will also capitalize on an urban river, recycle brownfields, promote homeownership and support small business development. This project is focused on the commercial heart of the neighborhood, which was once the second largest commercial area in the city. The project has three elements: siting a public Transit Center, linking the Woonasquatucket Greenway/Bikeway project to the Transit Center, and re-connecting Olneyville Square and the Transit Center to the West Broadway neighborhood.

Innovative Aspects

The project is using transportation improvements and linkages to complement the development of open space, housing rehabilitation, and economic development programs. The project is a partnership among the city, transit agency, neighborhood groups, and a greenway project. Results should include information on the perceived role of transportation improvements in addressing neighborhood problems and facilitating redevelopment.

Evaluation

Evaluation of the project will be conducted by students at the University of Rhode Island (U-RI), through studio courses in the Department of Community Planning and Landscape Architecture. A "before" evaluation is planned in Fall 2000 and one or two "after" evaluations are planned, probably in Fall 2002 and 2004. In addition to quantitative and descriptive evaluations of business activity, pedestrian flows, and traffic, the studios are expected to include outreach to neighborhood and business groups to define problems in the neighborhood, set goals, and measure progress.

Status and Accomplishments

As of March 2000, the city was working with the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) to select a site for the Transit Center. Physical improvements to the area will be initiated after the site is acquired. The goal is to open the transit center by early 2001. The related bike path plan is at the 30 percent design stage by the State.

The city has put together descriptive information/presentations on the project and related redevelopment activities, which are focused around a stretch of river connecting Olneyville and downtown Providence.

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