RI Blue Cross Blue Shield Moving Customer Service to EP Site from Providence

EP Attracting Business
Blue Cross Blue Shield of RI will be moving much of its employee operation to East Providence, according to GoLocalProv news. Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) confirmed the move. BCBS has indicated that some 125 jobs will be transferred to the East Providence location at Jordan Street. The East Providence property is currently owned jointly by DFH Management Corporation and Gilbane Development. The site is assessed at $3,914,800 by the city.

The Providence facility is still maintaining about 600 workers at its 13-story, $125 million Waterplace Tower. It is unclear if BCBS intends to move out of Providence altogether at some point. The BCBS move to East Providence will take place in late 2017 or early 2018.

John Igliozzi, Chairman of the Providence City Council Finance Committee is investigating this move to see if it violates any prior tax releif agreements the city had with BCBS. While officials in Providence are not happy with the move, this continues the growth of medical office and other developments settling in East Providence to the delight of EP officials. Many of the new developments in EP are along its long vacant waterfront along the Providence River.

Some of the others coming to EP:
University Orthopedics has been approved for an 82,500 square foot medical office building in the Waterfront District. The building will be located in the Kettle Point development project on Veterans Memorial Parkway and will consolidate several existing University Orthopedics RI offices. There will be approximately one hundred employees relocating to the building, with plans to add more workers in the future. The services offered will include outpatient doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, hand therapy, orthopedic urgent care, MRI, and outpatient surgery.

Kettle Point is being developed by Kettle Point LLC on Veterans Memorial Parkway in the Southern Waterfront District. The 40-acre site will have a total of 290 residential units: 228 for-rent apartment units, which will average one thousand square feet; and 62 for-sale, 3-bedroom residences in duplex townhouses that will average 2,100 square feet. There will be parking provided for the public to access the East Bay Bike Path, public open space, and direct access to the waterfront with a kayak launch. The $78 million project includes $8.75 million in public improvements and the site will be completely remediated.

Chevron Land Development Corp. is in the process of transforming Chevron’s former light products terminal on Veteran’s Memorial Parkway into a mixed-use community called “Village on the Waterfront.” The 26-acre site will have residential units and commercial uses.

The 135,543 square foot Tockwotton Home relocated to Waterfront Drive in East Providence after starting out in Providence in the 1800's. The East Providence assisted living facility is assessed at $1,521,915 and was built in 2011.

Province Mortgage Associates, Inc. opened its new headquarters in East Providence in July of 2015 after many years in Davol Square, Providence.