[Summit] City of Providence Newsletter -- Infrastructure, Gun Buyback, Events Calendar

Fri Sep 18 05:42:29 UTC 2020

   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Kievning, Alexis <akievning at providenceri.gov>To: Kievning, Alexis <akievning at providenceri.gov>Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2020, 6:48:05 PM EDTSubject: PVD Newsletter 

Good evening – here are some updates going on in the City the past week! 

Update from the Mayor's Office 

 (see also the end of this newsletter)

Virtual Events:

EVENT: Roger Williams Park Gateway Center Community Meeting

Missed the meeting? 

The recording is available here http://www.providenceri.gov/roger-williams-park-gateway-center-meeting-recording-available/

Here's the direct YouTube link too: https://youtu.be/LgRvpFZKoO8

EVENT: Capital Improvement Project Digital Highlights 

DATE: Tuesday, September 15 – Thursday, September 17 

LOCATION: City Social Media Accounts, #PVDInfrastructureWeek

>From the Stormwater Innovation Center to the Manton Ave. Skate Park, the City of Providence has recently completed several capital improvements designed to create a more sustainable and equitable City. From the comforts of your home, residents will receive a virtual look at projects around the city. 

In-Person Infrastructure Week Events:

EVENT: Cranston Street Court Opening Celebration 

DATE: Thursday, September 17 at 4:30 PM

LOCATION: 126 Cranston Street

Mayor Elorza will be joining My HomeCourt and Providence College Galleries, in collaboration with Providence Parks, to unveil a newly constructed outdoor public basketball court at Cranston Street Tot Lot on the city’s West side. The basketball court features a court mural by renowned artist Andrea Bergart.

EVENT: PVDCrossroad Ribbon Cutting 

DATE: Friday, September 18 at 10:30 AM

LOCATION: Intersection of Prairie Ave. and Pearl Street

Mayor Elorza will be joining Councilwoman Mary-Kay Harris, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism Director Stephanie Fortunato, and artist Tracy Silva Barbosa to unveil PVDCrossroads, a unique crosswalk mural on the intersection ofPrairie Ave and Pearl Street. 

More information will be released via media advisory on September 18.

FREE MASKS

The City of Providence still has an abundance of masks to provide organizations.If your organization is interested in receiving masks, please reach out to me directly (akievning at providenceri.gov), and I will help arrange a pick up time at City Hall.

Events

Creative Providence Planning Studio: Art in Public Places 9/15

Since 2009 the Creative Providence cultural plan has served as a dynamic blueprint for strengthening the creative sector and as a community-wide guide to public policy, public initiatives and private investments in the arts. Now, ACT and creative partners are reassessing our sector’s goals and strategies with plans to release the second Cultural Plan in spring 2021.

The meeting topic is a conversation about cultural participation and finding ways to enhance every resident’s opportunity for arts experiences in their neighborhoods.

In case you missed it, video documentation and the slide deck from our studio is now live on the Mix It Up sub-site of our blog:https://artculturetourism.com/creative-providence-2020/ 

We also invite you to host a socially distant or virtual get together with your family, friends, artistic collaborators, and organizations to think about arts, culture and creativity in Providence.

When you are finished, tell us about your conversation using this simple google form:https://tinyurl.com/CPFocusGroup

Words Matter: A Conversation about Stigma, Substance Use, and Covid 19

Rhode Island continues to face an overdose crisis. All across the country and in our state, rates of drug overdose are increasing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 300 Rhode Islanders lost their lives to an overdose in 2019. In the context of the larger addiction crisis, the widespread use of dated and stigmatizing language when reporting on substance use is a genuine public health concern.

Journalists, anchors, radio talk show hosts, bloggers, and other media figures play an important role in shaping how we talk about substance use, addiction, and recovery. All members of the press are invited to attend this virtual event that will include personal testimony by Rhode Islanders in recovery and professional training by the nation’s leading experts on stigma.

Join RICARES and the City of Providence for a workshop led by veteran journalists, leading researchers, and people in recovery about:

   - Updated Associated Press guidelines for person-centered and scientifically accurate language regarding addiction and substance use
   - How the overdose epidemic is impacted by COVID-19 and systemic racism
   - -The importance of using de-stigmatizing language to support connections to treatment and recovery services

Speakers include:

Dr. John Kelly - Director, Recovery Research Institute, Harvard/Mass General

Maia Szalavitz - nationally recognized journalist author of Unbroken Brain

Machiste Rankin - Outreach Specialist, RICARES

Ashley Perry - Intervention Case Manager, Project Weber/RENEW

Diego Arene-Morley - Program Manager, RICARES

Words Matter will be held via Zoom. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/words-matter-tickets-118695498431

Questions? Contact Jon Soske at jsoske at ricares.org

Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided.

Neighborhood Moves (Roger Williams Park)

10:30 AM - Creative Movement class (Children 2-6)
Roger Williams Park at Farragut Ave.

Hosted by Festival Ballet Providence, Providence Streets Coalition and Providence Art Culture Tourism

Join Festival Ballet Providence as we transform outdoor spaces into studios with Neighborhood Moves!

These group classes are FREE and open to the public!

Bring your own mat or towel and all participants must wear a mask.

More information: https://festivalballetprovidence.org/neighborhood-moves/

Community MusicWorks

Collective musicians are popping up around town at businesses and residences

performing solos and duos from the back of a trailer!

Grab your mask and come on down to these select public events:

Friday, September 18 at 5:00 pm

1326 Westminster Street 

Location info here: http://communitymusicworks.org/event/cmw-delivers-3/

MusicWorks Collective Season Opener

Join us for an open-air gathering as the MusicWorks Collective and CMW Fellows Quartet perform Fairouz, Beethoven, Grieg, and more.

Saturday, September 26 at 2pm

Southlight Pavilion

Southside Cultural Center

Space is limited /reservations are required.

Reserve seating here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/musicworks-collective-season-24-opener-tickets-118976581157

Groove to the Rhythms of Omou Sangare and Sidy Maiga

Don't miss out on the exclusive concert, Groove to the Rhythms of Oumou Sangar?and Sidy Maiga, produced by FirstWorks in partnership with Brown University's Brown Arts Initiative!!

Experience the soul-lifting sounds of Mali with Grammy winner Oumou Sangar? hailed as the greatest living female voice in African music, and master drummer Sidy Maiga.
Premieres September 17, 8 PM EST on Facebook and YouTube Live.

More info - FIRST-WORKS.ORG

2020 Lippitt House Museum Community Discussion Series

Preserve Rhode Island is hosting the 2020 Lippitt House Museum Community Discussion Series remotely via Zoom, beginning today!
This year is the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which made it illegal to prevent a woman from voting based on her sex. But in the last 100 years, what progress has been made on the issues promoted by suffragists? This year’s community discussion series in partnership with the Providence League of Women Voters, will address the issues suffragists fought for. The suffragists’ activist legacy is still relevant for America today. The work isn’t done – we’re still at!

The three discussions will all be held via Zoom on Wednesdays September 16th, 23rd and 30th from 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm. The sessions are free but preregistration is required.

September 16 (Equity in Voting) 
September 23 (Criminal Justice Reform)
September 30 (The Fight for a Livable Wage)
 To register, visit Preserve Rhode Island Calendar of Events | Rhode Island

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City of Providence Highlights Citywide Capital Improvements during Providence Infrastructure Week 2020

#PVDInfrastructureWeekto showcase Providence’s commitment to equitable, sustainable and creative infrastructure  

As part of the week-long national advocacy and educational initiative, Mayor Jorge Elorza invites residents to celebrate Providence Infrastructure Week 2020. Throughout the week, the City of Providence will highlight several planned, ongoing and recently completed city infrastructure projects, promoting the City’s investments in equitable, sustainable and creative public space for all residents. From September 14 – September 18, residents will have the opportunity to attend virtual gatherings and digitally explore infrastructure project through daily curated content on City social media channels.  

 “The City of Providence is reimagining our public infrastructure,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “By approaching our investments through an equitable and sustainable lens, we’re creating a city that works for all residents. Whether it’s creative placemaking along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Corridor or sidewalk improvements in local business corridors, these proactive investments in our community will positively impact our neighbors and neighborhoods for years to come.” 

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Woonasquatucket Vision Plan
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Providence Infrastructure Week 2020 will highlight infrastructure improvements included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), adopted earlier this year. The purpose of the CIP is to facilitate and coordinate future capital improvements within the City’s current and future financial framework. The approved five-year program strategically prioritizes investments in public works ($102,985,000), parks ($27,624,500) and facilities ($62,160,831), while increasing citywide connectivity ($29,760,000) and making sustainable changes for a more resilient future. 

 City Council President Sabina Matos stated, “It is for these very reasons that the City Council continues to invest in our city of neighborhoods and work closely with the administration to ensure that we are funding significant and needed infrastructure upgrades to our parks, public spaces, and most notably our school buildings. Through the Capital Improvement Plan and through the Council’s Neighborhood Infrastructure Funds, we have been able to add millions of dollars of upgrades to our aging infrastructure. Even as we face significant fiscal challenges, investing in our city will remain a priority for the Council.”  

The City is also embracing a community led process to make investments in frontline communities in alignment with theClimate Justice Plan. Released in October 2019, the Climate Justice Plan aims to create an equitable, low-carbon, and climate-resilient Providence through a comprehensive set of proposed policies and initiatives. As part of the plan, the City has established a collaborative governance model to make investments in traditionally disinvested neighborhoods, called Green Justice Zones. Olneyville and South Providence are the first areas to be established as such. Following a robust community engagement process led by the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee (REJC), a public access point to the Narragansett Bay on Allens Avenue and two community-led Resilience Hubs located in Olneyville and Washington Park have been proposed. A Green Justice Zone Cohort Program, which is currently seeking applications, will help guide these projects, as well as help make other decisions that will further advance the goals and strategies of the Climate Justice Plan in these neighborhoods.

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Green Justice Zone Cohort Program Appli...
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“We are glad to be working with the City to ensure frontline communities are at the table to make decisions about investments made in their communities,” said the Racial and Environmental Justice Committee. “We look forward to helping create more visions for Providence that are based on justice and equality for its most underrepresented community through the Green Justice Zone process.” 

Typically held in May, United for Infrastructure (formerly Infrastructure Week) was postponed due to the public response to COVID-19. To allow for more public participation in this year’s events, Providence Infrastructure Week 2020 will occur largely in a digital format. Each day, residents can engage via social media by following City accounts using the hashtag #PVDInfrastructureWeek. A full schedule of virtual and select in-person events for the duration of Providence Infrastructure Week 2020 can be found below. 

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Providence's Climate Justice Plan - Cit...
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EVENT: Capital Improvement Project Digital Highlights 

DATE: Tuesday, September 15 – Thursday, September 17 

LOCATION: City Social Media Accounts, #PVDInfrastructureWeek

>From the Stormwater Innovation Center to the Manton Ave. Skate Park, the City of Providence has recently completed several capital improvements designed to create a more sustainable and equitable City. From the comforts of your home, residents will receive a virtual look at projects around the city. 

In-Person Infrastructure Week Events:

EVENT: Cranston Street Court Opening Celebration 

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2020 | Cranston Street Court — My HomeCourt

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DATE: Thursday, September 17 at 4:30 PM

LOCATION: 126 Cranston Street

Mayor Elorza will be joining My HomeCourt and Providence College Galleries, in collaboration with Providence Parks, to unveil a newly constructed outdoor public basketball court at Cranston Street Tot Lot on the city’s West side. The basketball court features a court mural by renowned artist Andrea Bergart.

EVENT: PVDCrossroad Ribbon Cutting 

DATE: Friday, September 18 at 10:30 AM

LOCATION: Intersection of Prairie Ave. and Pearl Street

Mayor Elorza will be joining Councilwoman Mary-Kay Harris, Department of Art, Culture + Tourism Director Stephanie Fortunato, and artist Tracy Silva Barbosa to unveil PVDCrossroads, a unique crosswalk mural on the intersection ofPrairie Ave and Pearl Street. 

More information will be released via media advisory on September 18.

Mayors Elorza and Diossa Announce Joint Gun Buyback Program

Happening Saturday, October 17 at Providence and Central Falls Locations

Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today joined Pawtucket Central Falls Mayor James A. Diossa, Commissioner of Providence Public Safety Steven M. Par? Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh Clements and the Nonviolence Institute Executive Director Cedric Huntleyto announce a gun buyback program happening on Saturday, October 17 at locations in both cities.

“Gun violence is an ongoing public health issue across our country that has deeply impacted our families and our community,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “We know that when we remove a single gun off our streets, we may be saving one of our neighbor's lives. We’re asking residents across Rhode Island to turn in their unwanted guns, no questions asked, and help us keep our community safe. I want to thank Mayor Diossa and our partners for their close collaboration and their help preventing future gun violence in our cities.”

The multi-city gun buyback program aims to encourage community members with unwanted firearms to turn them in, preventing future potential misuse or violence. Firearms will be accepted anonymously and with amnesty for possession; will not be tested for matches to ongoing cases; and will be destroyed at the end of the buy-back program. The gun buybacks will happen on Saturday, October 17 at The DaVinci Center,470 Charles St, Providence and at theKnights of Columbus 20 Claremont Street, Central Falls from 9:00AM to 1:00PM.

"Central Falls has experienced the national health issue of gun violence," said Mayor James A. Diossa. "Central Falls will do its part to address this issue by asking the community to participate in the gun buyback program on October 17th from 9am to 1pm by bringing illegal or unwanted guns to the Knights of Columbus on Claremont Street in Central Falls. Please help us take steps in ensuring the issues with guns are cleared out of our streets and help us provide the quality of life that all residents deserve.”

Upon turn in, participants will receive a gift card of $100 foreach rifle or shotgun; $200 for each handgun; and $500 for each firearm that has been previously reported stolen. Participants must follow the outlined steps to safely return a firearm:

   - Firearm must be delivered unloaded with no magazines in the weapon.
   - Firearm must be placed in a clear plastic bag and delivered in a non-see through container such as a pocket book, gym bag, backpack or suit case.
   - If turning in ammunition in addition to a firearm, the ammunition must also be placed in a clear plastic bag and delivered in a separate non-see through container such as a pocket book, gym bag, backpack or suit case.  All magazines must be turned in unloaded and placed in the clear plastic bag and delivered in the non-see through container.  
   - If turning in just ammunition, the ammunition must be placed in a clear plastic bag and delivered in a non-see through container such as a pocket book, gym bag, backpack or suit case.   All magazines must be turned in unloaded and placed in the clear plastic bag and delivered in the non-see through container.   
   - The firearm must be transported in the trunk of a car separate from the ammunition.

Additionally, participants must wear a mask upon returning the firearm, maintain 6 feet of social distance and follow the latest health and safety COVID-19 guidelines.

“Our officers in the capital city have witnessed ongoing gun violence throughout their careers on a daily basis, working as Providence Police Officers,” said Commissioner of Providence Public Safety Steven M. Par?/span>. “During these unprecedented times, in which public safety is paramount, this gun buy back event has the capability to remove dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals. We will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of the citizens of Providence and will do our due diligence to make that possible.”

Over the past decade, Providence has successfully implemented community policing and collaborative strategies that have led to some of its safest years on record and the Elorza Administration has continued to support legislation in efforts to achieve comprehensive gun reform in Rhode Island. Specifically, the Administration supported legislation prohibiting incentives for teachers to carry firearms, limits on high capacity magazines heightened restrictions around gun ownership and building existing supports that protect all Rhode Islanders.

“It is on us as a community to do everything we can to protect the youth and families that are most impacted by gun violence,” said Nonviolence Institute Executive Director Cedric Huntley. “We need everyone who can participate to do so and to make our cities a safer place for us all.”

The launch of this program comes as the purchase of firearms nationally has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 2 million guns were purchased by Americans in the month of August, making it the fifth-highest month on record, according to an analysis ofFBI data. Studies also indicate that the presence of a firearm within the home increases the risk of homicide in the home, death from firearm homicide, and death from a suicide. Handguns kept within a home also increase the likelihood of youth gun violence and all weapons should be securely locked when not in use.

If participants wish to turn in a gun prior to the dates of the program, they can do so by calling the Providence Public Safety Department prior to entering the building to make the return. The Providence Public Safety Department encourages the anonymous return of guns at any point throughout the year. Those who not want to deliver the firearm to police headquarters but would like to arrange for a private pickup, please call (401) 243-6097 or e-mail gunamnesty at providenceri.com to schedule the pickup.  

***To have your event featured in the newsletter, send me the information by Thursday 9/24.***

Have a nice weekend! 

Best,

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Alexis E Kievning
Neighborhood Liaison
Preferred Pronoun: she/her/hers

Department of Planning and Development
Joseph A. Doorley Municipal Building
444 Westminster Street 
Providence, RI 02903
Akievning at providenceri.gov
(401) 680-8400 | Ext: 5408
Call to Connect | PVD311
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