City Celebrates ‘true’ Affordable Housing at Old School Site
In a ribbon cutting ceremony late last month, new homeowners joined East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva, City Council President Bob Rodericks, SWAP Executive Director Carla DeStefano, and RI Housing Secretary Deborah Goddard for a ribbon cutting and tour of three new affordable homes in East Providence. With a selling price of $239,000, the 2-family homes are designed to be affordable for low to moderate income families. The 2200 sq.ft. 2-family homes include a main 3-bedroom unit and 1-or 2-bedroom second apartment that generates extra income for homeowners.
"This is the first time that our administration has partnered with SWAP to produce affordable housing for East Providence, and after having worked with them and seeing the concept they produced, I hope we will be able to partner again in the future," Mayor Bob DaSilva said. "This is exactly what we need more affordable housing that also gives people the opportunity to be owners, where they can build generational wealth."
According to S.W.A.P. (Stop wasting abandoned properties), “homeownership is one of the most important vehicles for families to build wealth and long-term sustainability. Yet only 59% of RI families own their own home and especially hard hit are those earning at or below the state’s median income. Newly constructed 2-family homes, like those in East Providence, help remove outdated and inefficient barriers to affordable homeownership.”
Each of the three East Providence two-family homes look different and contain over 2100 square feet. At least one is on a 10,000 square foot lot. The new homeowners will have a three-bedroom two-bathroom home with an attached one or two bed apartments for income. The homes will be totally owned with large yards and a full basement. Efficient energy systems are installed.
The homes were not available to everyone. To qualify for a home through a lottery system, maximum income for a family of four was restricted to $89,000. A single person income could not exceed $63,000. Fifty applicants entered the lottery and five applicants were deemed eligible. At $239,000 each, the new homes are deed restricted for 30 years. This will ensure that the homes remain affordable should someone need to sell their property. Rental guidelines will also be in place to avoid unreasonable rents.
“This is exactly what many people are calling for. It’s an example of utilizing abandoned or unused properties to build acceptable housing for those in need,” said Bob Rodericks. “I look forward to doing more of this if appropriate sites are available.
Nearly 600 People Attend “Town Hall” Session
Resident Al Soares Ignites Crowd
A capacity crowd of close to 600 people attended a “Town Hall” at Riverside Middle School last month sponsored by Congressman Gabe Amo and RI Attorney General Peter Neronha. A standing room only crowd of residents were mostly concerned with actions of the federal government relative to the “lack of due process,” threatened closures of federal departments and perceived threats to social security and people being detained without due process. The event certainly was supportive of Amo and the RI federal delegation and very critical of President Donald Trump’s policies.
“We have seen a wide range of attacks on our values. We are not living up to our reasons that made this a great country,” said Amo to applause. Speaker after speaker rose to express their concerns and fears about losing benefits and support from government agencies. Bringing the audience to their feet in a standing ovation was lifelong East Providence resident Albert Soares. Soares lives in an assisted living facility and needs a walker to move around. “I worry about what is happening in Washington. Republicans are trying to take away our medical and needed programs,” said Soares. “If I lose my Medicare, I can end up in the street. Please don’t forget people like me and many others. Every day we wonder what this nutcase (Trump) is going to do. It’s getting worse. I have the hope that you will fight for me,” said Soares as the audience rose up in loud, sustained applause.
“That is my mission, why I’m here. I will fight for you,” said Amo.
Outstanding 2025 Grow Smart RI Award Winners Announced
The Residences at Riverside Square in East Providence is a recipient of the 2025 Grow Smart award winners. Grow Smart RI's mission is to lead and engage Rhode Islanders in advancing neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity for all. “The Residences at Riverside Square, built by One Neighborhood Builders, has transformed a contaminated industrial site in East Providence into 16 units of affordable housing for extremely-low- to moderate-income households, with three units specially designated for youth aging out of foster care. Its thoughtful design transitions smoothly between commercial and residential areas while maintaining appropriate neighborhood scale through traditional forms combined with modern details. Located near businesses and bus stops, the building maintains the street edge with parking in the rear and offers privacy through a landscape buffer. Completed in 2024, the townhouses feature covered stoops and fenced yards, while walk-ups share front and rear entries among six neighbors, achieving density without overwhelming the neighborhood character.”
Founded in 1988, One Neighborhood Builders has established itself as a community development leader in Rhode Island. The non-profit develops affordable housing and engages neighbors across Greater Providence to cultivate safe, healthy, and vibrant communities.
The location known as the “old Vamco site” at 336 Bullocks Point Avenue, in East Providence, created new affordable rental apartments for extremely low- to moderate-income households. The work to house the young adults will be done in partnership with Foster Forward, an East Providence-based nonprofit. The redevelopment of this site will revitalize a long-vacant and blighted property adjacent to the East Bay Bike Path.
A mix of 16 one- and two-bedroom apartments will also provide 16 off-street parking spaces. Construction started in January of 2023 and is now complete and fully rented. Grow Smart RI's mission is to lead and engage Rhode Islanders in advancing neighborhood revitalization, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity for all.
The Development Team:
Developer: One Neighborhood Builders
Architect: Union Studio Architecture & Community Design
General Contractor: Pezzuco Construction
Engineer: Commonwealth Engineers & Consultants, Inc.
Property Management: Peabody Properties Inc.
Legal Counsel: McGunagle Hentz, PC
Partner: City of East Providence
The Housing Resources Commission awarded $1,676,000 for the 16-unit Residences. Riverside Square is considered a “pocket neighborhood” undergoing a renaissance, with significant investments being made by homeowners and merchants, as well as by the City of East Providence to bring art, sitting areas, landscaping, and other aesthetic improvements along the East Bay Bike Path that connects to Providence and south through Barrington, Warren, and Bristol. The immediate area offers several attractive parks and recreation areas and access to Narragansett Bay. Sabin Park provides a fishing pier and public dock, and the historic Looff Carousel is nearby. The parcel is on a major RIPTA bus route that runs into downtown Providence, and highway access to I-195 is a short drive away. As part of a new development standard, ONE|NB will endeavor to provide free, in-home, internet access to all tenants of these rental developments.
EP’s Senator Valerie Lawson is RI’s Next Senate President
East Providence High graduate and former high school teacher Valerie Lawson was elected to succeed the late Dominick Ruggerio as the next Rhode Island Senate President. Lawson is currently a State Senator from District 14 in East Providence and the Senate Majority Leader as a Democrat. Lawson was first elected to the Senate in November 2018 and has been an active voice on a range of issues, including education, public health, protections for senior citizens, and the East Providence community. In 2023, she sponsored laws to protect seniors from Medicare discrimination and protect children from lead poisoning. She also helped secure significant state funding for public schools, including for multilingual learners, special education students, and high-poverty districts. And she supported a package of new laws to address the state's housing crisis. A lifelong East Providence resident, she earned both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from Rhode Island College. She taught in East Providence public schools for 32 years and is the former President of the East Providence Education Association. In 2023, she was elected President of the National Education Association Rhode Island.
After a falling out with his former Majority Leader, Ruggerio pushed for Lawson to take over the coveted leadership post. Lawson was named Majority Leader. With Ruggerio’s passing, Lawson has now assembled a partnership with Senator Frank Ciccone to run as a leadership team for the Democratic RI Senate. Lawson is a supporter of most liberal policies while Ciccone tends to be a conservative Democrat. The two had significant support in the senate. In a joint statement late in April, the two stated: “Our goal in coming together as a team is to unite the very diverse membership of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate. While our focus right now is on honoring the legacy of President Dominick Ruggerio, we believe that we have a consensus on a vision to move our Chamber forward at the appropriate time, which is after we pay our respects to our dear friend Dominick. We have commitments of support from a majority of the Caucus, and a majority of the Chamber, and we are continuing to have conversations with all of our colleagues.”
City Council to have Public Hearing on Updated Comprehensive Plan
A public hearing will be held by the East Providence City Council at City Hall, Council Chambers, on Wednesday May 7, 2025 at 6:30PM. The hearing will be at a regular council meeting. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider adoption of the new 2025 East Providence Comprehensive Plan. The preparation, revision, and adoption of this 2025 Comprehensive Plan are considered in accordance with the provisions of RIGL Chapter 22.2, the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning & Land Use Regulation Act.
The proposed plan under consideration will update in its entirety the prior 2010 Comprehensive Plan, including the following chapters: Housing, Economic Development, City Services and Facilities, Transportation and Connectivity, Recreation, Natural Resources, Natural Hazards and Climate Change, History, Culture and the Arts, Sustainability, Waterfront District, Land Use, and Implementation.
The proposed plan is available at the following locations:
Anyone wishing to be heard on the proposed matter should be present on May 7th. At the public hearing, an opportunity shall be given to all persons interested to be heard upon the matter of the proposed adoption.
The proposed plan may be altered or amended prior to the close of the public hearing without further advertising, as a result of further study or because of the views expressed at the public hearing. Individuals requesting interpreter services for the hearing impaired or needing other special services must call (401) 435-7500 forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting date.
EPHS Ty Messier semifinalist in U.S. Presidential Scholarship Program
Ty Messier, a graduating senior at East Providence High School has been named one of 621 semifinalists in the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The semifinalists were selected from over 6,000 candidates expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2025. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, now in its 61st year, is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of their accomplishments in many areas- academic and artistic success, accomplishment in career and technical fields, leadership, strong character and involvement in school and the community.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation's most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields. Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year's senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America's youth. Each year, Scholars are presented with a Presidential Scholars Medallion.
State Awards City $70,000 in Math Learning Grant
The City has been awarded $70,000 through Gov. Dan McKee’s Learn365RI Initiative and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) as part of the statewide Math Matters RI campaign, which aims to promote the importance of mathematics for students across the state.
“We are grateful to Gov. Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Education for putting together this funding and allocating it to our community so that we can work with our student population to ensure they do not have any learning loss during the summer,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “This help funding allows us to focus on mathematics and increasing math scores and outcomes for our student population.”
As part of the latest round of Learn365RI grants, East Providence will be offering math-focused field trips and high-yield learning opportunities at the East Providence Dept. of Recreation’s summer camp program, which will run from June 23, 2025 to August 1, 2025.
“Math Matters RI is designed to build students’ confidence and capabilities in math – a critical skill for so many of their future career choices,” Gov. McKee said. "Creating a prosperous Rhode Island for our residents and families, our businesses, and our economy starts with Learn365RI investments that create learning opportunities outside the traditional classroom. I'm grateful to our partners in East Providence for their support of improving student outcomes—because we know that in 'Every home, every day, learning matters.’
Additionally, the city will use the funding to offer an enhanced math program to include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sessions taught by the MobileQuest STEM Center and the Rhode Island Computer Museum, as well as performances from Academic Entertainment’s Math Musical Fusion and Math Magical shows.
The City will also be partnering with the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence to add a teacher-led, daily math component to its free, six-week summer enrichment camp, providing 75 children with a daily block of math support. “We are thrilled that East Providence has joined our statewide push to promote math because we know that strong math skills are critical for our students’ academic and career success,” Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green said. “We look forward to seeing East Providence students engaged in high-quality, year-round math-focused learning programs both in and out of the classroom thanks to Learn365RI. Through our continued partnership with Gov. Dan McKee and municipal leaders like Mayor Bob DaSilva, we will continue to improve math achievement and lead our students to success.”
City Celebrates 2025 Remarkable Women Recipients
Last month the City of East Providence celebrated the achievements of women in East Providence and throughout the world by announcing the 2025 recipients in a ceremony at City Hall.
“We are committed to recognizing the women in our community who for a long time have gone unrecognized, recognizing them for their tremendous impacts on our community, whether that be through education, non-profit philanthropy, to raising awareness on important issues ongoing in our community,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “There have been women leading the way for decades who have never received recognition, and this is our opportunity to recognize incredible women in East Providence who are making a difference.
This is the City’s 7th Annual Remarkable Women Recognition Program. During the months of March and April, Remarkable women will be recognized and celebrated for their impact in the community. The twelve honorees include trailblazers, leaders of industry, mentors, community organizers, businesswomen and women who work tirelessly day in and day out and have left a resounding impact on the people of our community and state and continue to help East Providence shine and remain a prosperous place to live.
The 2025 honorees are: Lori Brennan-Almeida, Christine Carroll, The late Marlene Davis, Alexandre Doty, Erin Gilliatt, Donna McMahon, Nancy Moore, Kate Mushipi, Cathy Peck, Lucy Rose, Susan Sweet and Barbara Traverse.
City Portuguese “Festa” Time Approaching
Early summer means Festa time in East Providence or Feast. Area churches and Portuguese social clubs sponsor day or weekend-long gatherings, called Festas by locals and visitors to East Providence. The events draw thousands of people, Portuguese and non-Portuguese, in a celebration of religion, food and entertainment. Portuguese singers and bands as well as traditional music accompany booths full of food. Most Festas include traditional Portuguese cuisine like chourico, cacoila (marinated pulled pork), barbeque chicken, fish and much more. Music, food aromas and ethnic dress will fill East Providence streets and some clubs sponsor parades and special masses in area churches.
In order to provide for a safe environment and parking issues, etc., police have been advance planning for the popular Portuguese Feast Season. Last month police Captain Brian Mulvey and Sgt. Kelvin Cabrera met with representatives from the following organizations that host the annual feasts and processions in East Providence to plan and coordinate the festivities. Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood, Trinity Brotherhood Club, Teófilo Braga Club, Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense Convívio Mariense, St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Sacred Heart Church and Irmandade Senhor Bom Jesus are most who participated. Enjoy ‘Festa season East Providence.’
Bike Path Bill Introduced at State House
A bill introduced by Representative June Speakman of Bristol/Warren and Representative Tina Spears of Charlestown/South Kingstown/Westerly/New Shoreham, would require “anyone using a bicycle trail or path to stay to the right on the path and would require passing on the left when safe to do so.” The bill was introduced in January 2025. The House State Government and Elections Committee heard the bill and has recommended the measure be held for further study. The intent of the bill is to provide new safety guidelines for bicyclists and walkers on the popular bike path. Bill language states in part:
Rhode Island and shall promulgate and enforce rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this section.
Local Veterans Introduced to new Vets Coordinator
A Veteran Luncheon was held last month to introduce the city’s new Veteran Service & Community Health Coordinator, Andrea Vargas. Special guests included Steven Branch, the Regional Program Manager for Service to the Armed Forces & International Services at the American Red Cross, Michael Rhilinger, Employment & Training Grant Lead at Veterans Inc and Matt Vianna, the RI Elks State Veterans Committee Chair. Information was given on upcoming events and social activities like recruiting new 55+ aged Veterans to play pool and card games at the senior center on weekday mornings. Additional Veterans Luncheons are planned and all are invited. To contact Andrea regarding veterans services or to inquire about becoming more involved with our veterans please email her at Avargas@eastprovidenceri.gov.
Summer Meals Program for Children to Return
With summer just around the corner, it is time to start thinking about keeping our children healthy during the months that they are out of the classroom. Since 2016, the City Recreation Department has teamed up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide free nutritious meals for all youths and teens ages 18 and under through the Summer Meals Program.
“Now more than ever, we find families struggling to put food on the tabe and this is our effort in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to provide nourishment to our youth during summer vacation,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “I am very grateful to RIDE and the City’s Recreation staff who have managed this program for our residents annually since 2016.”
Not only does the Summer Food Program provide access to nutritious meals, but it also promotes healthy lifestyles. Serving meals at East Providence’s beautiful parks that feature athletic fields, walking paths, playgrounds and splash pads, encourages physical activity.
Last year, the summer meals program was operated at three East Providence parks, the Recreation Dept.’s summer camp, the East Providence Boys and Girls Club, the East Providence High School Baseball Camp, the Townie Sports Camp and the extended school year learning programs held at several elementary schools throughout the city. Nearly 12,000 meals were served during the summer of 2024. Summer 2025, meals will be served at:
Onna Moniz-John Park: June 23 - August 22, (no meals on July 4 and August 11), 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pierce Field Playground: June 23 - August 22, (no meals on July 4 and August 11), 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
There are no income requirements or registration. Any child under age 18 may come to eat. For more information, contact East Providence Recreation at 401-435-7511.
Portions of these News Briefs contributed by Bob Rodericks.
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