Anthony Coletta is the businessman behind The Coletta Group LLC and its Swan Business Park project. Coletta’s company wants to create an industrial park consisting of two new buildings that would join two existing structures on a 2.5-acre campus located in the area of 200 Swan St. in Lower South Providence.
The plan recently gained preliminary stage approval from the Providence City Plan Commission, allowing Coletta to move forward with the construction of more than 22,000 square feet of new commercial and industrial space at the site. The existing buildings at 189 and 182 Swan St. have business tenants, including Crossbones Dog Academy and The Compost Plant.
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PBN: With final approval from the City Plan Commission, what now? What do you think so far and what will be the timeline for this project going forward?
COLETTA: With approvals from the City Plan Commission and R.I. Department of Environmental Management for our stormwater plan, we will apply for our building permits and plan to break ground to begin the site work in spring 2023 with the goal of completing two new buildings and the overall campus by December 2023.
At this time, we are also working to finalize our teams. The development of the Swan Business Park is considered a major land development that has required years’ worth of planning with several challenges requiring attention, response and resolution. The staff of the City Plan Commission was extremely helpful in providing us with checklists and the insight we needed to bring our development to final approvals.
PBN: Why did you want to develop this area of Lower South Providence? What led you to this site and why is it a good spot for this?
COLETTA: At Swan Street, we’ve witnessed the benefits of offering industrial and commercial rental spaces to grow businesses in an area vulnerable to crime and compromised living and working conditions.
We host innovative, hardworking tenants, for example, Crossbones Dog Academy, which trains, grooms and houses its clients’ dogs in a location convenient for those who work long hours at Rhode Island Hospital and other urban professions. Their pets are exercised, socialized and skilled while their owners are at work nearby.
Crossbones has found it hard to find an 8,000-square-foot building in Providence that’s well maintained, secure and zoned for animal care. They along with two other existing tenants will have the first option to expand in our fully developed business community.
PBN: What kind of businesses are you hoping to attract as tenants and why should they want to become part of Swan Business Park?
COLETTA: The Swan Business Park’s new construction, flex style and high bay spaces accommodate a variety of uses. This, coupled with an attentive, impassioned management group that supports the growth of business in Providence, makes for a great opportunity for business expansion and new entrepreneurs. We’ve watched businesses in Providence grow and thrive, and are excited to offer spaces from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet.
The area is mixed use, which can accommodate a variety of fields, including industrial, manufacturing, research-based, green tech, software, agricultural, distribution, culinary, etc. We’re ready to complete the campus and help to support Providence’s economic and creative growth.
PBN: There is a house in this area that’s been plagued by crime that you’ve tried to acquire as part of this project. Can you tell us about the status of that and why you have been trying so hard to acquire this home?
COLETTA: The house that you mention is the last residence on the street; it does indeed have a long and well-documented history of crime. The main reason for the crime is because of its unique location. The house is surrounded by industrial and commercial buildings and the tenants’ criminal behavior is often hidden from public view.
I have been inside this house, including earlier this week, and have seen that it’s not a healthy or safe living environment for anyone. Homes belong in safe places with neighbors and green spaces, not an industrial area with 70-foot tractor trailers driving by within feet of our front steps. This specific area of South Providence has changed significantly and is no longer suitable for a residence. The relentless criminal offenses need to end for the benefit of those investing in their businesses and customers too.
PBN: You’ve said before that there’s a market demand for this type of industrial park property. What makes you say that and what’s your impression about the real estate market for this type of commercial industrial space?
COLETTA: Yes, there’s evidence in market studies that commercial/industrial rentals are needed. We also know of the demand firsthand with our current tenants to be able to grow their services. The challenge is finding real estate that’s well located, spacious and flex in use. As an example, with many businesses shifting to online shopping, the demand for distribution and logistics has increased; speed to market and design flexibility have become essential.
What’s happening at Swan Business Park is wide open in its possibilities. We’re excited to see what comes next and welcome conversations with entrepreneurs.
Marc Larocque is a PBN contributing writer.
