PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority has formed a unique partnership with a developer to help residents of affordable housing access transportation.
Pennrose LLC is partnering with RIPTA to cover travel fees for residents at the development on Parcel 9 in the Fox Point neighborhood. The fees are valued at approximately $12,600 and will be provided to residents whose households earn at or below 50% of the area median income. RIPTA will also build a new bus shelter next to the site at 410 South Main St. that will include seating, lighting and wayfinding amenities.
"We are excited to collaborate with Pennrose on this important initiative," said Christopher Durand, interim CEO of RIPTA. "Affordable public transit is essential to the health and vitality of our community, and this partnership will significantly impact residents' lives. We believe this collaboration can serve as a blueprint for future development projects."
Pennrose was selected by the I-195 District Redevelopment Commission in October 2020 to develop Parcel 9. The project, known as Tempo, includes 127 residential units, a Head Start child care facility and commercial spaces.
"Pennrose is proud to partner with RIPTA and provide residents with safer, more affordable transit options,” said Charlie Adams, Pennrose regional vice president for New England. “We think this will make Tempo a better, more sustainable and more connected place to live. We hope that our commitment will inspire other multifamily owners to do the same."
Pennrose contacted RIPTA to form the partnership while the project was in early development when the development team noticed there were no bus shelters next to the site, said developer Rebecca Schofield.
“We thought it was a great opportunity to focus on transit-oriented development,” Schofield said. “It was kind of a no-brainer.”
Pennrose has had similar partnerships with private companies to offer shuttle and transit services, but this is the developer’s first time working with a public agency and in Rhode Island. Schofield said Pennrose is interested in creating more partnerships with both public and private groups.
The partnership has earned support of local and state housing leaders.
“By working together to expand bus access and cover resident fare costs, Pennrose and RIPTA are not just meeting the basic needs of residents but encouraging the use of public transportation, exemplifying a true transit-oriented development,” said Carol Ventura, executive director of RIHousing. “Affordability encompasses much more than just the cost to lease an apartment – it is numerous factors working together, like the consideration of transit, or the energy efficient measures integrated into the building. We look forward to continuing to fund and support developments that leverage partnerships to offer sustainable, accessible, affordable homes to Rhode Islanders.”
Construction on the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, Schofield said. The bus shelter is scheduled to be installed later this year.
Katie Castellani is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Castellani@PBN.com.
