PROVIDENCE – Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza drew a sharp contrast between the financially mismanaged, crime-ridden and dilapidated city of his childhood and the “new Providence” his administration has created in his annual “State of the City” address at City Hall on Monday.
The second-term mayor touted accomplishments on a range of issues, from government efficiency and aging infrastructure to economic development and climate change resiliency. At the same time, he acknowledged the challenges presented by a public school system under duress, a growing – and critically underfunded – pension system, housing displacement and homelessness and substance abuse.
Seifert Systems Invests in Energy Efficiency to Strengthen Operations
For manufacturers, energy is more than just another operating expense. It plays a critical role…
Learn More
“We are better positioned to address these challenges than we’ve been in decades, and we will continue to confront them head on,” Elorza said. He did not detail exactly how he plans to confront the challenges but will likely to do so in his upcoming fiscal 2021 budget proposal, slated to be presented sometime in April, according to the mayor’s office.
“As we find ourselves in the year 2020 at the dawn of a new decade, we are part of an emerging national trend where cities have become the best-run level of government, the centers of innovation and progress and the source of continued hope for our country as a whole,” Elorza said.
The upcoming budget will include a proposed $61 million in investments to roads, public properties and parks, among other items, as part of a $222.2 million five-year capital improvement plan. This includes a nearly $20 million investment in the mayor’s newly unveiled Great Streets master plan, a network of “urban trails” designed to make the city safer and more accessible for alternative transportation such as cycling and walking.
Elorza on Monday highlighted the city’s investment in its more than 100 parks, including beautification efforts, programming and a focus on green spaces. The city has nearly achieved its goal of creating a park within a 10-minute walk of every child – the third city nationwide to do so, he said.
Acknowledging the uncertainty faced by a school district under state control, the mayor pledged a holistic approach to transform not just schools but the entire education system. He reiterated prior commitments to a universal pre-K program by the end of his term, and pointed to accomplishments such as the R.I. Department of Education’s five-year budget and the Kindness Crew program at Juanita Sanchez Educational Complex.
Economically, Elorza pointed to the ways the city has made it easier to do business: cutting red tape, digitizing licenses and permits, and eliminating 90% of “unnecessary forms.” This, coupled with programs that support entrepreneurs such as PVD Self Employment and Design Catalyst, has led to a boost in new businesses, as well as a booming construction scene and “hundreds” of new apartments under construction, Elorza said.
On the environmental front, Elorza pointed to the city’s recently released Climate Justice Plan, a divestment of high-polluting companies from its pension fund, and a ban on single-use plastic bags as examples that the city “is walking the walk and is leading on sustainability.”
Other examples of progress highlighted by Elorza included the PVD 311 system under which residents can submit complaints and an increased focus on the community policing initiative started under former Mayor David N. Cicilline.
“Regardless of what the challenge is, the new Providence will meet the urgency of the moment,” Elorza said. “Guided by our values of integrity and professionalism; being open-minded and forward thinking; tech-savvy and data-driven; kind and compassionate; people-centered and inclusive; bold and creative; and above all, always looking out for one another; we will achieve our audacious goal of being the best mid-size city in America.”
In a response to Elorza’s address, Providence GOP co-chairs David Talan and William Ricci called for the city to reform its underfunded pension system, noting the $80 million included in the annual budget to keep the pension system afloat was taking away dollars from education, infrastructure and city services. They advocated for reducing pensions of retirees and swapping out pensions for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) for new employees. The GOP also recommended a return to neighborhood schools to cut school transportation costs and installing permanent leaders in city departments now headed by acting directors, the release stated.
Nancy Lavin is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Lavin@PBN.com. Follower her on Twitter at @NancyKLavin.
Correction: The upcoming proposed city budget is expected to include $61 million in investments to roads, public properties and parks, among other items, as part of a $222.2 million five-year capital improvement plan.
