Construction is nearly complete at the Residences at Riverside Square in East Providence. Photo by ONE Neighborhood Builders
By Roberto DaSilva
The city of East Providence is celebrating the construction of two new developments which will help revitalize its traditional “Main Street” areas. These developments in the Central City and Riverside areas of the city will provide affordable rental and home-ownership opportunities and serve as catalysts for future investment.
Located on Bullocks Point Ave. in the Riverside section of the city, the Residences at Riverside Sq. consists of 16 affordable rental apartments currently under construction by ONE Neighborhood Builders. All units will be rentals for very-low to moderate-income households. Three units will be reserved for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. The development is located at the former VAMCO site in the heart of the city’s Riverside Sq. neighborhood. This abandoned jewelry factory was a blight on the Riverside Sq. commercial district. The city purchased this property and cleaned up the contamination left by the prior use. The property was then sold to affordable housing developer, ONE Neighborhood Builders. Additional funding came from a $1.676 million grant from the R.I. Housing Resources Commission. This development is the latest manifestation of the ongoing revitalization of Riverside Sq. Significant investments have been made over the past several years by the city and local property owners to restore Riverside Sq. after years of disinvestment. Historic buildings have been restored and public art, lighting, and other outdoor amenities have been added along the popular East Bay Bike Path. Construction is expected to be complete in spring of 2024.
