PROVIDENCE – The City Council is pushing back against an expansion of parking at Rhode Island College.
The college has proposed to expand an existing lot at the Sheffield Avenue gate, and near the Hooker Street and Basswood Avenue neighborhoods. The 150-space lot is not included in the existing Institutional Master Plan, according to the council, which approved a resolution this week that requests the college to provide the city with an updated master plan and submit it to the City Plan Commission for review.
The resolution, introduced by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, states that site of the proposed parking lot is identified in the existing master plan as open space, and not identified as future parking.
“Moreover, the addition of a new parking lot on the RIC campus will have many negative environmental ramifications, including the creation of a new asphalt hot spot and detracting from the city’s stormwater-management efforts.”
A spokeswoman for the college said officials are working with the city to resolve concerns raised over the lot, which was intended to meet demand for parking on campus.
“RIC is making essential renovations to modernize the college’s physical plant and, ultimately, the student experience,” said Kristy dosReis. “As we attract more students, it is necessary for us to explore ways to accommodate additional parking, while considering impacts to surrounding neighborhoods and making adjustments when possible. The college has and will continue to work cooperatively with the city of Providence as we look to update our campus master plan.”
Mary MacDonald is a PBN staff writer. Email her at MacDonald@PBN.com, or you can follow her on Twitter @MaryF_MacDonald.
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