John Everson is president of Narragansett Improvement Co., a general contractor and asphalt plant operator located along Allens Avenue in Providence. The City Plan Commission is slated Tuesday to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding an ordinance that would condemn a long stretch of the road and label it “blighted.” The designation would allow the Providence Redevelopment Agency to seize parcels by eminent domain.
PBN: If the City Council adopts this ordinance how will it affect your plant in Providence?
EVERSON: The mere threat of facing condemnation or eminent domain over a 40-year period makes me very reluctant to make further investments in our manufacturing plant. In 2008 and 2009, we spent more than$400,000 to update our asphalt recycling equipment. If the City Council adopts this ordinance, then we would not invest any more money.
PBN: How did you learn about the proposed ordinance?
EVERSON: No one from the mayor’s office, the Providence Redevelopment Agency, or the Providence City Council informed us that they were planning to declare our property as “blighted.” We only found out about it through a public hearing notice.
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PBN: Any plans to oppose the ordinance and if so how?
EVERSON: We plan to oppose this ordinance any way we can. We are not “blighted” in any way and will fight this plan all the way to the Supreme Court if that’s what it takes.
PBN: This is not the first time non-industrial development has been proposed in the area. What affect do these plans have on business owners like you?
EVERSON: Instead of focusing on investing in and growing our business operations, we have to spend time constantly fighting City Hall for our very existence and survival.
PBN: What would be your hope for the future of the area?
EVERSON: The Allens Avenue corridor should become a jobs district. Perhaps in the future, the city of Providence would create a port authority to promote our working waterfront and protect the existing businesses and attract more heavy industry to the area.
