PROVIDENCE – The City Council Ordinance Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan removing language they argue indicates community support for the R.I. Public Transit Authority relocating the city's central bus hub away from Kennedy Plaza.
Every Rhode Island municipality is required to update comprehensive plans at least once every 10 years, laying out development priorities and strategies. The Providence City Plan Commission approved a draft update in June.
The council and several advocacy groups have been consistently outspoken against any permanent relocation of the new transit hub away from Kennedy Plaza. The City Council unanimously approved a resolution in May “vehemently” opposing such a move, arguing it would inconvenience many frequent RIPTA transit riders.
In January, RIPTA’s board of directors approved a $16.9 million contract with Next Wave Partners-a private consortium that includes Gilbane Development Co., Marsella Development, Plenary Americas, CUBE 3 and Jacobs- to begin developing cost estimates, design options and conduct site assessments.
Paid for partly from a $35 million transportation bond approved by voters in 2014, potential locations have included Dorrance Street, Dyer Street and a parcel of I-195 Redevelopment District land, the latter option supported by Gov. Daniel J. McKee and Mayor Brett P. Smiley.
In February, Providence’s I-195 Redevelopment District Commission voted to give RIPTA until Oct. 1 to decide whether it planned to move forward with a move to the district. RIPTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether that decision has been made.
While the location remains uncertain, RIPTA and Next Wave say they are considering a mixed-use development for the hub, including retail and residential units, which would link with other transit options like the Providence Train Station and the R.I. Convention Center.
However, a City Council news release on Thursday said that public testimony against any proposal not including Kennedy was "overwhelming opposition."
“Public transit users have been loud and clear,” said council member Justin Roias, who introduced the ordinance. “The location of the bus hub matters. So many of our residents rely on Kennedy Plaza as a crucial drop-off point, and the language we’ve redacted would have jeopardized that. “
In written testimony to the committee, R.I. Transit Riders board member Lee Rochelle said the reference to the bus hub in the draft comprehensive plan was “incorporated in bad faith” and would indicate support for “unilaterally abandoning Kennedy Plaza.”
"Our decision to redact this line is a reflection of many conversations we’ve had with daily RIPTA riders,” said City Council Deputy Majority Whip Sue AnderBois, who called the redacted language “deeply contradictory to what the RIPTA riders actually want.”
“Major improvement to the bus hub should take place, but all improvements and changes in location should be based on riders’ needs and input," she said.
The next City Plan Commission public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan is set for Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Christopher Allen is a PBN staff writer. You may contact him at Allen@PBN.com.