RIHousing recently awarded approximately $3.8 million to
revitalize neighborhoods in Providence, Woonsocket, Central Falls and
Smithfield. This investment will fund 46 homes, 58 live-work apartments, a new
educational facility, a park and a playground.
This funding comes from the Acquisition and Revitalization Program
(“ARP”), part of the $50 million Housing Opportunity Bond passed by voters last
year. ARP utilizes $10 million of the bond.
The following awards were made:
- Bailey Baxter Playspace Project will redevelop vacant and blighted properties in South Providence into a playground.
- Sponsored by the City of Providence in partnership with The Nature Conservancy
- The Dexter Adult Learning and Workforce Development Hub will convert a vacant building in Central Falls (formerly Dexter Credit Union) into an academic space offering continuing education, workforce development and community programming.
- Sponsored by the City of Central Falls in collaboration with Rhode Island College
- Georgiaville Village Green will develop 42 new apartments.
- Sponsored by the Coventry Housing Associates and Gemini Housing Corporation
- The Millrace District Creative Placemaking Initiative will redevelop three vacant mills located in Woonsocket into 58 live-work apartments and six commercial business units. (ARP funds will be used for the commercial portion only.)
- Sponsored by NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley
- 136 Rugby Street and 44 Lillian Avenue in Providence will be redeveloped into two-family homes. Each building will have a three-bedroom home and a two-bedroom rental apartment.
- Sponsored by SWAP, Inc.
About the Acquisition and
Revitalization Program (“ARP”)
ARP’s purpose is to stabilize neighborhoods and communities by
strategically targeting the redevelopment of foreclosed and/or blighted
properties. ARP funding is available statewide, with 75% of funding set aside
for urban communities. In addition, ARP prioritizes properties located in low-
and moderate-income census tracts. RIHousing was tasked by Commerce Corporation
to administer the program.
