Core Connector Study public Open Houses in November

Streetcar on Washington Street — Photo simulation of a streetcar on Washington Street.

RIPTA & the City of Providence Will Hold Three Open Houses to Hear Feedback on Proposed Streetcar Route

RIPTA and the City of Providence are nearing completion of the Providence Core Connector Study, a year-long effort to evaluate the costs and benefits of a potential new transit route through Downtown, College Hill, and Upper South Providence.

The project aims to better integrate the downtown core with our statewide and regional public transportation systems, encourage economic development, improve access to key employment centers, and strengthen neighborhoods, while supporting a high quality of life.

In September 2011, RIPTA and the City announced their recommendation for a new streetcar route connecting Upper South Providence with College Hill. This 2.5-mile route would connect over 6,700 households, 50,000 employees, and 25,000 students enrolled at five universities. It would serve Kennedy Plaza, the state’s largest transit hub, and pass within walking distance of the Convention Center, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, three major theaters, and more than 2,100 hotel rooms. It would also serve the Knowledge District and developable land made available through the relocation of I-195.

Three public Open Houses will be held to solicit public opinion on this proposal:

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 5 to 7PM • CCRI Liston Campus Auditorium, 1 Hilton Place, Upper South Providence • Informal drop-in open house, with brief formal presentation at 6PM

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 12:30 to 2PM • Providence Municipal Office Building (Dept. of Planning & Development), 1st Floor, 444 Westminster St., Providence • Informal drop-in open house, with brief formal presentation at 1PM

Wednesday, November 2, 2011 from 5 to 7PM • Brown RISD Hillel Center, 80 Brown Street, Providence • Informal drop-in open house, with brief formal presentation at 6PM

Members of the public are encouraged to drop in at any one of these events and learn how RIPTA and the City of Providence propose to spur economic development and bring improved transit to our community. Or visit our study website.