Grow Smart's Power of Place Summit Highlights

We are thrilled to be one of the media partners to this year's Summit, and are happy to post some highlights below.  Also, take a look at the video we have posted on our site as well:

Keynote Presentation:

How 21st century development trends can be a competitive advantage for Rhode Island

 

Demand for more walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods is growing across the United States. However, the challenges associated with financing and permitting these developments are allowing much of this demand to go unmet. There's demographic evidence; there's consumer research evidence; there’s economic evidence, but probably the most compelling evidence is the price premium people are willing to pay to live and work in a walkable urban place.  Hear from one of the nation’s leading thinkers and doers about adapting to these demographic trends and economic forces and reaping the economic and community benefits of doing so.

Rhode Island Smart Growth Progress Report

Hear from officials in Rhode Island who are among the leading change agents shaping Rhode Island’s quality of place and economic future.

  

Kevin M. Flynn, Associate Director, Rhode Island Division of Planning (Moderator)

Keith Stokes, Executive Director, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation

Janet Coit, Director, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Michael P. Lewis, Director, Rhode Island Department of Transportation  

Workshop Presentations:  (this is a sampling of the more than 20 panel presentations)

10:45 a.m. - Noon

Game-Changing Project in Action: Warwick Station Development District:

The vision for Warwick Station calls for transforming the area between TF Green Airport and the newly constructed InterLink into a 1.5 million square feet mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented growth center. Leveraging the existing public investment in the InterLink, the plan aims to develop a sustainable, attractive, live/work environment, generate new economic activity, 3,000 new jobs and a fourfold increase in the tax base.  Learn how a partnership was formed between the City, RIEDC, RIDOT, Federal Highway, and the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce to advance the plan.  Get an overview of the project, its status and gain insight into the remaining hurdles that officials are working to clear in order to accelerate economic and community benefits.

The Honorable Scott Avedisian, Mayor of Warwick (Moderator)

William DePasquale, AICP, Director of Planning, City of Warwick                               

Jack C. Hobbs, FAIA, CEO, Collaborative Partners, Boston

Keith Stokes, Executive Director, RIEDC

Michael P. Lewis, Director, RIDOT

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Game-Changing Project in Action: The Providence Knowledge District

The Knowledge District is a 360-acre area of Downtown Providence that includes the Jewelry District (the former world-capital of jewelry manufacturing), the Hospital District, and surplus land freed up by the relocation of I-195. It is home to Rhode Island’s largest general hospital and multiple Brown University life-science research and development facilities. Building on existing industry clustering and recent institutional expansion in the District, the City is seeking to create jobs and drive innovation and entrepreneurship in a way that builds an urban neighborhood with a real sense of place, improves sustainability, and enhances quality of life.

Colin Kane, Chairman, I-195 Redevelopment District Commission (Moderator)

Thom Deller, Director of Planning and Development, City of Providence

Michael McCormick, Assistant VP, Planning & Design, Brown University

Christopher Placco, VP, Facilities Management, Johnson & Wales University

3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Game-Changing Project in Action: East Providence Waterfront District

The East Providence Waterfront District was created by special State Enabling Law in 2003. Much of the approximately 300 acres within the District is vacant or underutilized and many challenges were present for its redevelopment including poor access, outdated infrastructure and environmental contamination. The Waterfront District Enabling Law established a Waterfront District Commission that was charged with redevelopment and was given a unique set of tools including expedited permitting authority and the ability to use economic development approaches such as Tax Increment Financing. This session will highlight two major projects, Tockwotton Home and Village on the Waterfront, which have been able to successfully proceed towards development.

William J. Fazioli, Acting Chairman, East Providence Waterfront District Commission (Moderator)

Jeanne M. Boyle, Director of Planning, City of East Providence

Kevin McKay, Executive Director, Tockwotton Home

Michael Hennessey, Managing Member, Village on The Waterfront, LLC

  

Smart Growth Awards

Individuals:

§         Arnold “Buff” and Johnnie Chace

§         Rep. Jeremiah O’Grady

Outstanding Smart Growth Projects:

§         Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket

§         Moran Shipping Agencies HQ, Providence

§         Sandywoods Farm Affordable Housing, Tiverton

§         Stillwater Mill Redevelopment, Burrillville

§         The Mercantile Block, Providence

Outstanding Smart Growth Policies/Plans:

§         Aquidneck Island Transportation Plan

§         Town of North Kingstown / QDC Development Agreement

§         Pawtucket Downtown Design Plan

§         Warwick Station Development District Plan