PROVIDENCE - The R.I. Statewide Planning Program awarded a total of $1 million to 17 recipients who will utilize the money to study transportation and development issues.
Studies include assessing the viability of putting streetcars in Providence, developing a system to reduce traffic delays on Aquidneck Island, completing an assessment at the Port of Providence to help position it for short-sea shipping and assisting a host of municipalities with local planning initiatives.
“We have long shared the public’s frustration that many plans, no matter how sensible and popular, do not come to fruition,” said Kevin Flynn, associate director of the state’s Division of Planning. “As illustrated by the success of our past Planning Challenge Grant recipients, sometimes a relatively small investment can make the difference between a plan that ‘sits on the shelf’ and one that truly changes a community, a region or a state. We are hopeful that in supporting these pilot studies we can continue to transform the ideas of our state and community plans into actions that will make Rhode Island a better place for us all.”
Recipients, in order of size of the grants, are:
• R.I. Public Transit Authority: $100,000 to complete an Alternatives Analysis for the Providence Streetcar Project.
• Town of Exeter: $98,500 to analyze several potential village sites, develop zoning and design guidelines to implement the desired rural village development, and establish a TDR program for the town.
• Grow Smart Rhode Island: $85,415 to continue the award-wining Grow Smart RI Land Use Training Collaborative, including at least 14 workshops on topics such as mixed-use development, making good land use decisions, agricultural viability, affordable housing and the roles and responsibilities of municipal officials in the state and local planning and project review processes.
• City of Warwick: $85,000 to update the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
• City of Pawtucket: $80,000 to design public multi-modal transportation connections, streetscape enhancements and building infrastructure improvements in downtown Pawtucket as well as study downtown traffic patterns.
• City of Providence: $61,424 to complete a short-sea shipping infrastructure assessment. This study will expand on previously completed studies identifying marine transportation infrastructure statewide and conduct an in-depth parcel-by-parcel analysis of the improvements needed to support short sea shipping along Allens Avenue in Providence. An additional $10,000 to assess the feasibility of a bike share program in Providence to promote public health by reducing auto emissions and encouraging physical activity, improve the transportation system for residents and visitors and boost the city’s image as a leader in sustainable transportation systems.
• Town of North Kingstown: $70,000 to further efforts to expand the town’s recently adopted TDR program by identifying additional receiving zones within existing and emergent village centers, as well as other potential areas capable of supporting higher densities.
• Aquidneck Island Planning Commission: $68,000 to develop a regional traffic incident management program for Aquidneck Island to reduce traffic delays associated with events and to provide timely and accurate advance and real-time information to the public.
• City of East Providence: $52,800 to conduct a land use feasibility study for the “Auto Row” section of Taunton Avenue to assess its capacity to accommodate mixed commercial and moderate to high-density residential land uses and develop zoning ordinance amendments to implement the findings.
• Washington County Planning Council: $51,000 to assess the feasibility of developing and implementing an inter-municipal transfer of development rights (TDR) program in Rhode Island. This project will include a series of workshops in the Washington County region to provide a comprehensive overview of TDR programs to municipal officials.
• Town of West Warwick: $46,500 to develop tools, ordinances and associated incentives to ensure that Arctic Village becomes a thriving retail center and that other villages in town are given purposeful orientation through long-range planning.
• Town of South Kingstown: $40,000 to study designation of Matunuck and West Kingston villages as growth centers, test alternate build-out scenarios, draft regulatory modifications to promote and enhance these areas as compact, sustainable village settings, and develop capital improvement recommendations for infrastructure projects that will improve access to public transportation and enhance transportation options for pedestrians and bicycle users.
• Town of Bristol: $30,000 to work with local marine trades industries and study existing marine trade businesses to learn more about their current needs and potential growth in order to develop a dedicated transportation corridor to the waterfront that can accommodate large boats, masts and other marine products.
• Town of North Providence: $30,000 to update the town’s Comprehensive Plan.
• Town of Smithfield: $30,000 to develop an access management plan and ordinance for Douglas Pike and Washington Highway with the goals of reducing curb cuts, preserving roadway capacity and improving roadway aesthetics all while continuing to accommodate economic development.
• Town of Warren: $30,000 to explore access management options along Metacom Avenue with the goals of improving traffic flow, protecting residential property, and preserving natural and scenic resources.
• Town of East Greenwich: $25,000 to update the town’s Comprehensive Plan.
