FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2021
CONTACT INFO. :
Office of the Mayor
Patricia Resende
(401) 529-3207
East Providence Pathway to 2020-2040: Comprehensive Plan
EAST PROVIDENCE, RI –Mayor Bob DaSilva is pleased to announce that the City has kicked off the update process for its Comprehensive Plan.
The Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for the City’s future. This important document is used by local officials and city department to guide decisions that can help and support residents and local businesses.
Mayor DaSilva emphasizes that “through the Comprehensive Plan, we clearly state what we love about living in East Providence, what needs more support to strengthen its vitality and longevity, and what could be transformed to meet the needs of our community.”
“The City is in a unique position to build upon its skilled workforce, bridge communities together through innovative infrastructure plans and expand our waterfront while also addressing our affordable housing needs, building upon our inclusivity and investing in our growing creative community,” DaSilva said. “East Providence is a community with a vision and we are imploring all of our residents to participate in developing that vision.”
The Comprehensive Plan covers a wide range of issues that impact our quality of life, including our neighborhoods, where we shop, parks and playgrounds, public services, historic sites and buildings, local employers, and even how we get around the city. The plan talks about where we are as a community, where we want to be in the next 10 to 20 years, and how we are going to get there.
Through the Comprehensive Plan update process, we recognize and anticipate changes in the future and respond through a clear and direct-action agenda. The City’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2010. It is important that the plan remain current on the makeup of the City and accurately reflect what is happening on the ground in East Providence.
Most importantly, the Comprehensive Plan is a document written by the community and expresses what makes East Providence a unique and special place to live and work.
Director of Planning and Economic Development William Fazioli, stresses public participation throughout the update process is a major focus of this effort.
“Every voice needs to be heard to understand what the community values,” Fazioli said. “We have a wide-range of tools in our public engagement toolbox, from surveys to public meetings to small group discussions.”
To kick off the update process, the City is launching a community survey. It touches on many of the plan’s topics and asks residents their ideas about the City’s opportunities and challenges now and in the future. What are the needs of the city and how can we plan to meet those needs? The survey is available on the City’s website, eastprovidenceri.gov, in English, Portuguese, Creole, and Spanish. Paper copies can be requested from the Department of Planning and Economic Development.
Fazioli acknowledges that reaching residents will be challenging with limitations on public gatherings to minimize the spread of COVID-19, but there will be multiple ways for the public to learn about the Comprehensive Plan update process and provide feedback on the issues.
Residents can learn about the Comprehensive Plan and why it is important on the City’s website, eastprovidenceri.gov, under “Community.” They are encouraged to visit often to find the latest information on the update process and how to share their ideas.
For more information please contact: Director of Planning and Economic Development William Fazioli at wfazioli@eastprovidenceri.gov.
