The village of Centredale in the heart of North Providence is in the
midst of a facelift.
The Centredale Business District, located near North Providence Town
Hall off Route 44, has seen an economic upturn in the past year with
the establishment of a business owners group, the restoration of the Old
Town Hall, and the promotion of economic development initiatives, such
as low-interest loans for area businesses.
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And just weeks ago, the governor’s office came through with $75,000 from
the state’s contingency fund for sidewalk improvements and street
lighting.
The Centredale Revitalization Project is estimated to cost more than $1
million. The project includes sidewalk improvements, the installation of
period-style street lighting and the planting of trees. The town will
utilize $200,000 in existing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funds for the project.
Leo Perrotta, North Providence’s director of planning, said Centredale
has been neglected for decades, but revitalization efforts should allow
the town to capitalize on the village as a prime location for economic
development.
“It has great potential as a business center, with its location near the
Smithfield and Johnston town lines and the intersection of Routes 15 and
44, said Perrotta.
Perrotta also said that there are 2.5 acres of vacant land in
Centredale, overlooking the Woonasquatucket River. The land is privately
owned, however, and to date, no formal plans to develop it have
surfaced.
“It has real potential for economic development,” Perrotta said.
The key to the resurrection of Centredale appears to be its merchants.
Susan Galligan, who owns Galligan’s Antiques & Refinishing at 2047 Smith
St., said the Centredale area has needed to be cleaned up for some time.
She is excited that plans are finally under way. She points to another
business, Our Place Uniforms at 2044 Smith St., and gives owner Victor
Russo credit for getting the revitalization of Centredale started.
Several years ago, Russo’s business was among several to be damaged by
fire over a two-year period. Russo could have closed up shop. The damage
to his building was significant. But he had been in business 30 years —
20 at the same location. It was his life. So he took the insurance money
— and more of his own — and rebuilt his business.
Now he’s glad to see the town stepping up its own efforts to improve the
historic village.
“This should have been done a long time ago,” Russo said. “This area has
been good. I’ve branched out to four other locations, all from here. As
long as I’m kicking, I’ll still be here.”
