Caroline Skuncik is the executive director of the I-195 Redevelopment District. She was appointed to the position in 2019. Skuncik has more than 15 years’ experience in real estate development, planning and public policy.
Skuncik joined the district in 2017 after working at the R.I. Commerce Corp. as vice president of investments, underwriting real estate transactions. She holds a Master of City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and environmental studies from the College of William and Mary.
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PBN: What is your priority as executive director for guiding the management and planning of the I-195 Redevelopment District?
SKUNCIK: My priority is to maintain the development momentum in the district without losing sight of our mission and smart urban planning. This requires a balance of responding to where the market is now, while remaining focused on attracting commercial uses, specifically in the life science fields. I am also focused on establishing the operations in Innovation District Park and ensuring it is an asset to the community and our economic development goals.
PBN: What is an intriguing aspect of the land, and how might it best be used for economic development?
SKUNCIK: Providence is a wonderful city and the parcels in the district can play a part in the future of the city’s growth and are particularly well-positioned to contribute to the city’s growing life sciences sector.
This is a really interesting time for Rhode Island since remote work and job changes brought about by the pandemic are allowing people to live where they want to be, rather than where they work. I am optimistic that Rhode Island will benefit from this trend.
PBN: What are some considerations when deciding to pursue a project, and what criteria must be met to qualify for land use?
SKUNCIK: Our request for proposals outline the criteria for each parcel. While we often allow proposals to include a range of land uses, how much a project contributes to our economic development mission is a primary consideration. We also place a high value on the developer’s experience, ability to execute, and how the use and design concept fit with our overall development plan.
PBN: Where do things stand with Parcel 2, which is earmarked for innovation and design at the base of College Hill?
SKUNCIK: We have issued a request for proposals for Parcel 2 that closes on Aug. 6. We have received a lot of interest on this parcel and are looking for plans that align well with the district’s economic development mission and have design and ground floor uses that reflect its fantastic location at the base of the Michael S. Van Leesten Pedestrian Bridge and within the College Hill Historic District.
PBN: What notable project is under consideration, and what will it offer the state in terms of economic development?
SKUNCIK: On the east side of the district, there are two projects underway that will be transformative to the neighborhood. The first is on Parcel 6 and is a mixed-use development with a grocery store. By adding a grocery store to this part of the neighborhood, residents have access to nearly everything they need without a car – which is a boon for downtown residents.
Nearby on Parcel 9, there are two mixed-use buildings with 130 units of mixed-income housing and ground floor retail next to City Walk. Both of these developments will spur activity and other investment [on] lower Wickenden Street and the nearby [I-195] district parcels.
Cassius Shuman is a PBN staff writer. Contact him at Shuman@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter @CassiusShuman.
