Providence Mayor Brett Smiley addresses a group of stakeholders
and Smith Hill residents at the Smith Hill Library on Feb. 27, 2024
during a Thriving Communities Technical Assistance program meeting.
Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders
See more photos below
PROVIDENCE – Community members, city officials, and stakeholders convened at the Smith Hill Library on Tuesday morning to discuss the revitalization of the Smith Hill neighborhood, leveraging the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program. This federal initiative, supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), aims to provide technical assistance and planning resources to 15 communities nationwide, including Central Providence.
The Smith Hill Revitalization Plan, put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, is now gearing up again to address key issues such as economic insecurity, public health, safety, climate change impacts, and racial inequities. ONE Central Providence, in partnership with CPO-HEZ, Half Full LLC, Providence Resilience Partnership, and the City of Providence Planning Department, is leading the local efforts under this program.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley opened the day with remarks that highlighted the city’s challenges, particularly the housing crisis, higher rents and higher home prices, and the need for community engagement in planning efforts. He encouraged residents to participate in shaping their neighborhood’s future through involvement in local associations and organizations.
“I’m very excited that we’re picking this back up again,” Smiley said. “It’s obviously the last couple of years have been complicated, so. It’s good to see…. If there’s any question as to whether Providence has been discovered: Providence has been discovered.”
Councilwoman Althea Graves, who lives and represents the Smith Hill Neighborhood, expressed her appreciation for the renewed attention to the revitalization project, which had been on pause for so long.
Jacob Korn, senior associate from RMI, outlined the program’s focus on providing transportation planning, community engagement, and expertise to advance the Smith Hill Revitalization Plan. He emphasized a collaborative approach over the next 15 months, which will include bringing in experts and tailoring assistance to the community’s needs. RMI and Nelson/Nygaard are providing the program’s local technical assistance.
Jess Lance, from the City of Providence, gave an overview of the goals of the Smith Hill Revitalization Plan, highlighting its focus on community involvement, infrastructure improvements, and addressing the unique needs of the Smith Hill neighborhood.
The day also featured a walking tour of the Smith Hill neighborhood, allowing participants to directly observe the areas targeted for revitalization and discuss potential projects and funding sources to support these efforts.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program walk through sections of Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. The group was being led by Wole Akinbi, a facilitator with Half Full, LLC, one of the community partners in the Thriving Communities program. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program walk through sections of Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. The group was being led by Wole Akinbi, a facilitator with Half Full, LLC, one of the community partners in the Thriving Communities program. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program walk through sections of Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. The group was being led by Wole Akinbi, a facilitator with Half Full, LLC, one of the community partners in the Thriving Communities program. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program walk through sections of Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. The group was being led by Wole Akinbi, a facilitator with Half Full, LLC, one of the community partners in the Thriving Communities program. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program walk through sections of Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. The group was being led by Wole Akinbi, a facilitator with Half Full, LLC, one of the community partners in the Thriving Communities program. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program walk through sections of Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. The group was being led by Wole Akinbi, a facilitator with Half Full, LLC, one of the community partners in the Thriving Communities program. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program walk through sections of Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. The group was being led by Wole Akinbi, a facilitator with Half Full, LLC, one of the community partners in the Thriving Communities program. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
Stakeholders, Smith Hill residents and representatives of the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Program prepare to tour Providence's Smith Hill neighborhood after a day of discussing plans for the neighborhood's revitalization on Feb. 27, 2024. Photo by Stephen Ide/ONE Neighborhood Builders.
