Does Providence need an administrative, rather than political, approval process for tax-stabilization agreements for all areas of the city, for all but the biggest projects?

HOTEL HIVE PROVIDENCE, the proposed $39 million reuse of two vacant downtown buildings, was approved for a tax break by the Providence City Council, after a subcommittee opposed it. / COURTESY ABDO DEVELOPMENT

The Providence City Council needed to use a parliamentary procedure to vote on a requested 20-year tax-stabilization agreement from the city, after a subcommittee voted to keep the request from reaching the full council.
Reasons for the dissenting finance subcommittee votes ranged from distrust that the TSA for the $39 million Hotel Hive Providence proposal is needed, to concern from at least one member about how the council is monitoring pay and employment standards for other such agreements.
The full council ultimately approved the request, which would turn two long-vacant, historic downtown properties into a boutique hotel, restaurant and coworking space.
But it has yet to take up another proposal that has long languished before the same subcommittee: an administrative TSA approval process for all areas of the city, for all but the biggest projects.

Would more developers be interested in building in the city if the TSA-approval process became less politicized by moving to an administrative review throughout the city?

Does Providence need an administrative, rather than political, approval process for tax-stabilization agreements for all areas of the city, for all but the biggest projects?

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