Joint Letter on West End Snow Parking Pilot Program

In light of neighbor feedback regarding issues with the implementation of the new snow parking pilot program in the West End during this January's blizzard, Councilor Rachel Miller, the Providence Department of Public Works, WBNA, and other stakeholders have issued a joint letter. Changes made to improve the pilot include:

• Change the timing of the follow-up plow of the even numbered side of the street to: require that cars be moved from the even numbered side by 8am of the next day after the end of the snow emergency. 

• Install physical signage on all affected streets making it clear to parkers (and police officers and tow trucks) what the rules are, including which side is the even side (we get that question a lot), and when to move from the even side so it can be cleared.

• Work with the Providence Police Department to issue tickets to cars which are incorrectly parked to incentivize neighbors to comply with the program.

For additional questions or suggestions, please reach out to Liza Farr at the Department of Public Works, 401-680-7573.

Read the full letter:

Dear Neighbors,

We (Providence DPW, Councilor Rachel Miller, and neighborhood organizers) are writing to respond to some of the feedback that we have received regarding the city’s pilot program to allow on-street parking during a snow emergency so far this winter. 

The snow-parking pilot program was conceived in early 2021 by a group of neighbors in the West End who called for an alternative for those who do not have access to off-street parking during citywide parking bans. Before the pilot program, many of our neighbors who pay for on-street parking had nowhere to go during a snow emergency parking ban–resulting in tickets, towed cars, and panicked searches for places to put their car. The group felt that making on-street parking more viable could offer many benefits, especially for those low-income residents who lack off-street parking and are negatively affected by parking bans. This group of neighbors also wanted to make it possible for more people to replace off-street parking in backyards and vacant lots with gardens, new homes, and reduced storm-water runoff. 

To gauge the interest of other neighbors, the group fliered homes and cars on the streets included in the pilot, received feedback, and reviewed their responses. As a result, together with the Department of Public Works, the Providence Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, and City Councilor Rachel Miller, it was decided to implement a pilot program allowing alternate-side parking during citywide parking bans. The first test of the pilot was during the early January snow storm, and the feedback was largely positive, including this piece in the Providence Journal. 

In the blizzard of January 28-29 this year, over 20 inches of snow fell on Providence, making it one of the top five snow storms since records began. The city’s snow removal team worked hard for days clearing snow to get our schools, businesses, and streets open. It was a tremendous task. Unfortunately, while working to clear streets city-wide, some elements of the parking pilot program were not executed as planned. We’ve received a lot of feedback, both positive and negative about the pilot program and about plowing in general. We appreciate this feedback and are using it to help improve the design of the program. 

Some general categories of comments:

• Frustration with the poor quality of snow plowing in general

• Appreciation from people who now have a safe and affordable way to store their car through a snowstorm

• No enforcement on cars parked in the wrong place 

• No follow-up plowing of the even side after cars have moved over

• Specific ideas to improve plowing or on-street parking on certain streets

• Frustration with the increased number of people parking on street in general 

• Frustration with irate neighbors doing a poor job of clearing sidewalks (or throwing snow from parked cars onto already cleared sidewalks).

We appreciate all this feedback as it helps us to continue to improve the pilot and for DPW to improve snow plowing and on-street parking in general. We want to respond to a few specific areas of feedback now:

On parking enforcement: the city’s towing capacity was around 500 cars, which was reduced by the scale of the total blizzard snowfall to around 350. Priority was placed on cars in dangerous situations.The tow yards (which must be located in Providence) were full by 1:30PM on Saturday, January 29th, so no more vehicles could be towed.

On follow-up plowing: GPS logs were reviewed, along with instructions to drivers, and schedules. The affected streets were scheduled for even-side follow up plowing, but we learned after the fact that it was never done. 

Here are changes being made to improve the pilot:

• Change the timing of the follow-up plow of the even numbered side of the street to: require that cars be moved from the even numbered side by 8am of the next day after the end of the snow emergency. 

• Install physical signage on all affected streets making it clear to parkers (and police officers and tow trucks) what the rules are, including which side is the even side (we get that question a lot), and when to move from the even side so it can be cleared.

• Work with the Providence Police Department to issue tickets to cars which are incorrectly parked to incentivize neighbors to comply with the program.

It’s also important to remember that with such an historic snowfall, plowing and shoveling would have been very difficult, regardless of whether there was on street parking. We thank neighbors for their patience, understanding, and open communication with each other and with the city as we continue to work to improve how we use our streets and manage snow. 

For questions or suggestions, please reach out to Liza Farr at the Department of Public Works, 401-680-7573.

Rachel Miller, City Councilor

Leo Perrotta, Director of Public Works, City of Providence

Liza Farr, Curbside Administrator, City of Providence

Siobhan Callahan, Interim Executive Director, WBNA

Seth Zeren, lead neighborhood organizer, Harrison Street

Make a Luminary for the Community Covid-19 Memorial at West End Lights

Make Your Own Memorial Luminary

As we gather with neighbors to enjoy food, drinks, and festivities at West End Lights, we will also be taking the opportunity to join together for a community memorial to honor those our community has lost to the Covid-19 pandemic. We at WBNA have noticed that while neighbors have shown up for one another in many beautiful ways these past two years, we have had few opportunities to really come together as a community and acknowledge those we’ve lost collectively. So at sunset on Saturday, February 26, we’ll be gathering in Dexter park and lighting these colorful handcrafted luminaries to celebrate the ongoing light of our missing loved ones. We will have some pre-made luminaries available, and below you can find instruction to craft your own.

Supplies

A plastic water bottle with the top third cut off

Tissue paper (or another thin, colorful material)

Glue (and a paint brush or sponge with which to apply it)

Candles (electronic candles will be provided at the event)

Step 1. Cut up tissue paper into pieces

Step 2. Apply glue to plastic bottle

Step 3. Arrange paper on the bottle

Step 4. Let dry and light

Call for Volunteers - West End Lights

Call for Volunteers

This month at WBNA we’re hard at work planning for our first-ever West End Lights winter festival. We’re so excited to bring our community together, but to make it happen we need volunteers! If you’re available and want to help us make this event possible please fill out the form below.

West End Snow Parking Pilot Program Update

The organizers of the West End Parking Pilot Program, in partnership with the WBNA, the Mayor’s Office, the Providence Police Department, the Department of Public Works, and Councillor Rachel Miller, would like to thank neighbors for their patience and understanding as everyone continues to dig out from under the historic snowfall on Saturday. We are aware that some elements of the program were not able to be executed as planned but it is with your constructive feedback that the program can continue to be improved upon.

Providing neighbors with public parking options during snow storms remains the focus of this pilot and neighbor input is key to finding the best solutions possible for all.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions via the form below, which we will forward to the organizers and city partners.

+ A letter from the pilot program’s organizers:

Dear Neighbors,

In last weekend’s blizzard, over 20 inches of snow fell on Providence, placing it into the top five snow storms since records began. City workers have been working hard to clear snow to get our schools, businesses, and streets open. It’s been a tremendous task and many streets all across the city are still only partly cleared. We feel the frustration that many neighbors have expressed over sidewalk shoveling, snow plowing, and just where to put it all! The combination of record snow and a new snow parking pilot in our neighborhood has been a great opportunity to test the pilot, but we’ve also heard confusion and some frustration from a few neighbors about the design of the pilot. We want everyone to have a chance to give feedback and help us use this as an opportunity to work closely with the city to improve snow parking in our neighborhood, so we are going to take a few minutes here to share the intention and history of the pilot for those who aren’t familiar.

The pilot was conceived in early 2021 by a group of neighbors in the West End who called for an alternative for those who do not have access to off-street parking during citywide parking bans. Before the pilot program, hundreds of our neighbors, who pay for on-street parking, had nowhere to go during a snow emergency parking ban, resulting in tickets, towed cars, and panicked searches for places to put their car. The group felt that making on-street parking more accessible could offer many benefits, especially for those low-income residents who lack off-street parking and are negatively affected by parking bans.

The city expressed interest in the pilot but wanted to see demonstrated support from the community. The group of neighbors put flyers on the mailboxes and cars on the streets targeted for the pilot, received feedback, and compiled and shared the feedback with the city. As a result, the Department of Public Works, the Providence Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, and City Councilor Rachel Miller agreed to implement a pilot program allowing alternate-side parking during citywide parking bans.

The first test of the pilot was during the early January snow storm, and the feedback was largely positive, including this piece in the Providence Journal. However, it was a much smaller storm.

During last weekend’s storm, some elements of the program were not executed as planned, and we have seen both positive and negative feedback from neighbors - feedback both about the pilot program and about plowing in general. We appreciate this feedback.

It’s also important to remember that even under the best of circumstances, plowing and shoveling can be very difficult with such historic snowfall. We ask for neighbors’ patience and understanding with each other and with the city as we continue to dig out our neighborhood and work through the challenges.

We encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions via this page. Please consider:

If the program is making your life better–we want to hear from you, how is it better?

If the pilot program is making your life harder–we want to hear from you how we can improve, or other ideas for meeting the need for on-street parking.

What other opportunities do you see to improve snow parking and plowing in the city?

Your observations and feedback are essential to improving how we use our streets and manage snow.

• Organizers, West End Parking Pilot Program

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WBNA 2022 Annual Meeting and Awards

WBNA 2022 Annual Meeting and Awards

On Tuesday evening, over eighty WBNA members and neighbors gathered on zoom to celebrate a year of projects and honor several neighbors who have gone above and beyond for our community.

The ceremony began with an introduction from 2021 Board President Terry Snook, who introduced newcomers to the West Broadway Neighborhood Association. Terry also honored the WBNA’s outgoing Executive Director Kari Lang, who led the organization with passion and ingenuity for 25 years. Neighbors are invited to email wbna@wbna.org with reflections, videos, photos, or other remembrances of Kari’s time at the WBNA for inclusion in an upcoming tribute.

Terry then introduced Interim Executive Director Siobhan Callahan, who has boldly stepped into Kari’s shoes in the past months. Siobhan shared WBNA’s 2021 Year In Review, celebrating all our 2021 accomplishments including…

• Installing historic plaques researched and designed by neighbors at Dexter Park and Luongo Square.

• Organizing our annual neighborhood-wide Yard Sale Day.

• Beginning the conversion of the garage at 1192 Westminster into an affordable, accessible apartment.

• Raising over $5,000 dollars distributed directly to neighbors in need via our Live Local Give Local initiative.

• Hosting vaccine pop-up clinics where we vaccinated over 300 neighbors.

• Opening the first public electric vehicle charging station in the West End

• And more!

Following our year in review, board member Obed Papp introduced the WBNA board slate for 2022, and members present voted to approve the entire slate! As our newly elected president, Rebecca Atwood then took over to facilitate the rest of the meeting and present our annual awards to neighbors who’ve done exceptional things for our community this year.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR AWARDEES

HAUS OF CODEC

FUELING COMMUNITY

CITY MEAL SITE

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS

WHITE ELECTRIC

LOCAL BUSINESS AWARD

ASTHENIS PHARMACY

FUELING COMMUNITY

ROBYN RAO

SCHOOL HERO - ASA MESSER

RAFAEL LOPEZ

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

CAROLE CORNELISON & JONATHAN DEPAULT

KEN & REBECCA PHILLIPS AWARD

MARILUZ GUABA

SCHOOL HERO - CARL G. LAURO

ROBERTA ENGEL

WEST BROADWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL

The evening ended with a toast to our neighbors and to another year of community initiatives! A big thank you from all of us at WBNA to everyone who attended, and everyone who worked to better our neighborhood in 2021. Here’s to 2022!

West Side Caroling Cancelled

West Side Caroling Cancelled until 2022

As the holidays approach, we know many neighbors have been looking forward to the return of West Side Caroling. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 safety concerns Mike and Elaine Ritz, the organizers of West Side Caroling, have concluded that the most responsible decision is to cancel this year’s event and return in 2022. Mike and Elaine shared the following message for neighbors:

“WestSide Carolers,
Elaine and I are sorry to announce that due to rising Covid numbers in RI and MA we’ve decided to cancel ours this year. It’s the responsible thing to do. We’ll return on the Sunday before Christmas, Dec 22, 2022, with the same annual neighborly cheer you’ve grown accustomed to these past 14 years.
#bringthejoy safely with your loved ones this year. See you again in 2022! “

Thank you so much to all who have expressed interest in caroling, we look forward to seeing you next year!

Volunteers Needed: Dexter Park Winter Festival

Help us bring a winter wonderland to life in Dexter Park this February!

WBNA is planning a winter festival with food, warm drinks, family activities, and more to be held the second or third weekend in February, but we need you! Fill out the form below to volunteer, whether that means joining the planning committee, helping day-of, or donating food and supplies. This event is in the early stages of planning and its the first time we’re trying it, so join now to help shape a new neighborhood tradition!

Meet WBNA's New Interim Executive Director

Meet Siobhan Callahan, WBNA’s New Interim Executive Director

Since the retirement of long-time Executive Director Kari Lang this summer, WBNA’s Board has undertaken a search for an Interim Executive Director. We are thrilled to announce that this search has come to a conclusion. WBNA Board President Terry Snook shared the following statement:

"It’s my pleasure to announce that Siobhan Callahan has been hired as the Interim Executive Director of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association. Siobhan is an experienced nonprofit professional and a dedicated member of the community with nearly 20 years of neighborhood involvement. She is thoroughly committed to WBNA's mission and our work building a thriving and just community. We are thrilled to welcome Siobhan to the staff of WBNA and look forward to all she will bring to the organization."

Siobhan also shared her excitement upon entering this new position: "I am so pleased to have the opportunity to channel my passion for our neighborhood into this new position and will honor the legacy of this organization while looking ahead for new and creative ways to support and advocate for our community," she added.

We encourage neighbors to stop by the WBNA office at 1560 Westminster to meet Siobhan and welcome her to the organization. You can also reach out to her via email at siobhan@wbna.org.

The 2021 Neighborhood Trick-or-Treat Map

Goblins and ghouls, witches and warlocks, monsters and mummies…behold!

The map you desire, to the candy you require!

This Sunday stop by the addresses on this map for delicious treats (or devious tricks), and get to know your not-so-scary neighbors while you’re at it!

Tag @wbnapvd in pictures of your costumes and candy hauls from the spooky night and we will be sure to repost our favorites!

Snow Emergency Street Parking Pilot Program

About Snow Parking

Each winter, when forecasts predict a chance of snow accumulation, the City of Providence issue a “snow ban” on on-street parking to allow for streets to be plowed. This can be a big problem, leaving many neighbors without a place to keep their cars overnight if they don’t have reserved off-street parking spots. This winter that will change for 7 streets on the West End, where the city will be running a pilot program allowing on-street parking during snow bans.

Map of the streets included in the pilot program: Messer (between Westminster and Chapin), Sycamore (between Westminster and Chapin), Parade (between Westminster and Cranston), Dexter (between Westminster and Cranston), Hollywood, Harrison, and Hammond

What You Need to Know

Starting in December, if you park on Messer, Sycamore, Parade, Hollywood, Dexter, Harrison, or Hammond... 

• If a snow ban is declared, you can park your car on the even numbered side of the street during the ban

• Move your car to the odd side of the street within 8 hours of the ban being lifted to allow the plows to plow

Why Now?

On-street parking bans can cause a huge headache for the many members of our community without guaranteed access to off-street parking. Making on-street parking more of a permanent options will mean:

• Slower traffic and more protected sidewalks to keep our kids safe.

• Fewer parking lots, making space for more homes and gardens (and reducing stormwater runoff).

• Livelier streets with people coming and going from their cars.

Many cities across the country already have versions of this policy in place. The goal of this pilot program is to demonstrate its effectiveness here in Providence. If the pilot is successful it will likely be expanded to more parts of the city, and the pilot’s success depends on our neighbors! Please spread the word by sharing this page or the flyer below with neighbors on these streets. If you support the pilot and/or are interested in getting involved, please fill out the form below!

Get on the Trick or Treat Map!

Get on the Trick-or-Treat Map

Are you planning on handing out candy to our neighborhood ghouls and goblins this Halloween? Fill out this form with your address to be added to WBNA’s Trick-or-Treat Map! Before the spooky night we will send out an email with the neighborhood map and post it on our social media so parents and kids know where to find the candy they crave. If you know of neighbors who will be handing out candy, please spread the word.

Local Business Spotlight: White Electric

Celebrating Our Neighborhood Businesses

WBNA knows that the strength of our community is created not just through the support we lend each other as neighbors, but also through our thriving community of local businesses. These businesses and their workers are an essential part of what makes West Broadway the place we call home. This became all the more clear during the pandemic, when WBNA helped our local businesses adapt quickly through our Take It Outside Grant Program. A year later, we're thrilled to see so many of our favorite local spots continue to thrive and bring our community together.

This fall we wanted to spotlight some of our beloved neighborhood businesses, so together we can learn more about the folks who keep them running and how our community can best support them.

Local Business Spotlight: White Electric

One of the most exciting stories of 2020 came from neighborhood cafe White Electric. Last year, the employees of White Electric became the first unionized cafe staff in the state. Then with the help of a community fundraising effort they took the next step, buying the shop and turning it into a worker-owned and run cooperative! We have been so excited to watch one of our favorite neighborhood cafes become a trailblazer for worker power and collaboration in Providence. We took the opportunity to speak with Chloe Chassaing, one of White Electric’s worker-owners, and ask a few questions about this transition.

WBNA: How do you see White Electric relationship to the community and its role in the West End/Federal Hill? Has this changed since the cafe became a co-op?

WE: As a longtime neighborhood cafe for over 20 years, we see our role within the community encompassing both continuity and change. You'll still find your favorite lattes and salads, and hopefully you'll also welcome the ways in which we adapt and grow now that the cafe is a worker-owned cooperative. Many of us are active in the community and live within walking distance of our workplace, some of us grew up around the corner. We are a majority women / BIPOC / LGBTQ+ co-owned business. So we are invested in our place within the community, not only as a business, but because individually and collectively we want to be a part of actualizing ideas for a more compassionate and egalitarian society. We can try to do this in our little corner of the neighborhood by showcasing a successful democratically-run business, continuing to provide a variety of tasty and affordable menu items, while also serving as a hub for exchanging ideas, sharing culture, displaying local art, and boosting other community-centered initiatives.

WBNA: How have you been adapting to the ever-changing situation with Covid-19?

WE: Like all businesses, and in particular food service establishments, we continue to adapt to the ever-changing situation with Covid-19. We have been offering expanded sidewalk seating and take-out dining, and we appreciate the mutual warmth of daily interactions with our customers, even if we are all wearing masks. One thing Covid has done is allow many of us to re-evaluate our priorities, so even if conditions aren't exactly as we wish they could be, we are still finding ways to share little moments of joy and build community within this current situation. Because we have a transparent and democratic decision-making process, everyone who works at the cafe has a say in what policies we decide upon. Because all staff are involved in the day to day cafe service work, we are directly affected and responsive to changing conditions, and we have the flexibility to collectively change course as needed, according to our cafe's goals to keep our customers, co-workers, and community safe.

WBNA: What do you envision for the future of White Electric? Any goals or dreams you want to share?

WE: What's great about envisioning the future of the cafe is knowing that it will be shaped by the ideas and work of many different co-workers in the years to come, and so much is yet to be realized! Already, we have shared visions for how the cafe might grow, both as a business and as a community hub, and it's a great asset to have each other's feedback and commitment as we consider the possibilities. A more general goal is that we'd like to be a visible representation of an alternative business model-- a democratic workplace where co-workers own and run the shop. We hope to show that this is not only possible but could be a more sustainable model at addressing equity, opportunity, and longevity within our local business sector.

WBNA: Is there anything community members can do to support White Electric or the cooperative?

WE: As far as community support, first of all we can never mention enough just how grateful we are for all the people who helped make this worker-owned cafe a reality! Hundreds of people donated and encouraged us, which was so amazing, not only because it gave us the funds to purchase the business, but also as a sign that folks believe in what we are doing and have a desire to support worker-owned business models generally. We appreciate community members continuing to support us by coming to our cafe for delicious food and beverages, knowing that their purchase is helping to sustain living wages, a democratic workplace, and community engagement. We welcome anyone interested in learning more about our worker co-op model to get in touch—whether collaborators looking to start something new, co-workers interested in transitioning their workplace, or singular business owners considering options for a rewarding legacy by selling a business to employees. On a more systemic level, we encourage more support for worker-owned cooperatives, both financially and logistically, from city, state, and federal entities, especially now as there are resources available and a sense of urgency to reimagine economic redevelopment. We're excited to be a part of the co-op economy in Providence and hope to see it continue to grow!

For more information on White Electric visit http://whiteelectriccoffee.com/.

Do you run a business in WBNA's focus area? Fill out the form below for a chance to be featured in an upcoming Local Business Spotlight.

Community Development Neighborhood Update

WBNA's Community Development Committee (CDC) welcomes presentations from organizations, developers, businesses, or individuals proposing projects in our neighborhood. Since 1990 the committee has reviewed many projects. We are pleased to share an update on two current projects the CDC has reviewed. Check out the exciting progress they have made!

Big Nazo Labs is Bringing the Space Transformation Station to Westminster Street

Don't be surprised if you see an alien or robot wandering around Federal Hill or the West End next year! Our neighborhood will soon be welcoming artist Erminio Pinque and his iconic creature factory Big Nazo Labs. Big Nazo is building a new headquarters, reviewed by WBNA's CDC in 2019, on Westminster Street between Dexter and Parade. They recently shared this update on how the work is going:

Construction is ongoing during the project's Phase ll. The roof will be put on in the next few weeks and the installment of a 2nd floor & mezzanine, stairs, and a new first floor slab, will begin after that. Creative approaches in construction have been employed to respond to the challenge of being in such close proximity to neighbors on three sides of the building. Despite the limits of activity on any given day, the project is making steady progress. Everyone involved is excited to add to the vibrant developments in the neighborhood!

We're thrilled to have Big Nazo in the neighborhood and to support their new home. You can go to the CDC page to see pictures of the construction in progress and view more details about the project. 

1492 Westminster to Host a New Neighborhood Pub and Energy Efficient Apartments

Construction at 1492 Westminster Street, between Sycamore and Parade, is slated to conclude next month. Once completed, the ground floor will house "Lucky Enough," a new neighborhood bar and restaurant! The owners of Lucky Enough have previously worked at Durk's, The Eddy, The Dorrance, and other PVD favorites. They plan to bring this experience as well as their own signature flare to the Westminster establishment. The bar will have a full lunch and dinner menu as well as craft beer and cocktails.

The upper floors will contain seven one bedroom apartments which will be the first certified "Passive House" apartments in the state of Rhode Island. Passive Houses use advanced insulation and air flow design to significantly minimize the need for carbon-intensive heating and cooling. We hope to see this eco-friendly engineering used more widely in the future, both in our neighborhood and throughout Rhode Island.

Visit the new Community Development Committee homepage to track the progress of CDC-reviewed projects and learn what's new in the neighborhood. You can also read more about the members of the CDC and the Committee's goals, see dates for upcoming meetings, and even start the process of submitting a project for CDC review!

Executive Director Kari Lang Retires from WBNA

After more than 25 years of service, Kari Lang leaves a legacy of resilience and collaboration at WBNA.

After more than twenty-five years of leadership, Executive Director Kari Lang announces her retirement from the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA).

“WBNA has been my life and I am proud of the work I have done,” said Lang of her departure, “but it’s time for both me and WBNA to start new chapters.” During Lang’s tenure at WBNA, the organization raised tens of millions of dollars for neighborhood infrastructure improvements, and amassed a collection of demonstration projects that have been replicated in other neighborhoods and beyond. Lang also grew the organization to having multiple staff members, a diverse board of directors, and ownership of multiple properties that include affordable housing, retail and office space – the most recognizable of which is the quirky and iconic vintage Texaco station used as WBNA’s headquarters.

WBNA’s Board of Directors expressed its loss and appreciation of Director Lang in a heartfelt statement: “We are humbled by Kari’s accomplishments. Words alone cannot express the passion and selfless dedication that she has exhibited throughout her tenure as Executive Director of the WBNA. With deep admiration, we are saddened by the news of her retirement, yet we are excited for her as she moves on to enjoying this new chapter in her life. Because of Kari, the West Broadway Neighborhood Association stands on a rock-solid foundation and is well-positioned to move to its next exciting phase.”

In her early years, Lang focused on WBNA’s role as a catalyst and place for civic engagement, working with neighbors and city and elected officials to bring more municipal services and resources to the neighborhood. Lang advocated for ongoing improvement of local parks, including 3 separate rebuilds of the playground at Dexter Training Ground over the past 3 decades; a pilot rat-proof trash can project that led in part to the city’s adoption of a citywide program providing rat-proof trash cans to every Providence resident; a pilot program to allow overnight parking that was eventually enacted citywide; public trash cans on the neighborhood’s “main streets” of Broadway and Westminster; traffic calming measures; and support for the neighborhood’s public school buildings.

Other successful demonstration projects led by Lang include a compost and oil recycling program; Rhode Island’s first bulk purchase solar panel program and solar revolving fund; and a neighborhood-turned-statewide campaign that resulted in landmark property rights legislation, giving residents rights as to where gas meter installations could be placed by utility companies on their properties.

Alongside her persistent advocacy, Lang committed herself to the exuberant and better-known work of the neighborhood association: building a sense of community through free public events and volunteer opportunities including annual neighborhood-wide cleanups; more than 20 years of neighborhood-wide yard sales; free concerts and live performances in the park; block parties; family-friendly community Halloween parties; and neighborhood tree plantings. Lang is most proud of the strong sense of community she has helped foster where neighbors know each other, have a pride of place, and believe in the potential to make a difference in their neighborhood.

Lang’s work at WBNA reflected her passion to foster “places for people” from the largest building in the neighborhood – the Cranston Street Armory which she dubbed “the Castle for the People” – to the small garage at 1192 Westminster Street which will be converted into a one-bedroom apartment for a housing voucher client. Lang, whose background is in historic preservation, believes all neighbors deserve a seat at the planning table and a voice in what happens where they live, and that places should be protected and preserved for all people as a way to combat climate change and gentrification.

Lang led grassroots campaigns for community-centered development and worked to change policy in the city of Providence. She actively fought harmful development wherein buildings would be purchased and demolished, and then replaced with inappropriate buildings that displace local people and places. She helped develop the West Side Overlay Zone, expand the Armory local historic district, and stood up relentlessly for neighborhood plans that neighbors – not developers or planners – shaped through authentic bottom-up community processes. Lang believes in creating pathways for public participation that give neighbors a chance for representation in challenging bureaucratic systems. Lang’s goals in all her collaborative work were to help shape a walkable, vibrant neighborhood where neighbors of all backgrounds, incomes, ethnicities, live and work together and have the opportunity to make the place where they live support a better quality of life for all.

A turning point in WBNA’s capacity for neighborhood improvement and impact happened when Lang created a community development committee under the organization. This allowed WBNA to purchase and rehab five underutilized properties in the neighborhood, turning three of them into affordable housing at 1192 Westminster, 1390 Westminster, and 1577 Westminster Street. WBNA also purchased and remediated toxic former gas station sites at 1560 Westminster and 1326 Westminster, turning the former into WBNA’s headquarters, and selling the latter to Community MusicWorks which will build a new state-of-the-art building to house its music programs. Lang led these redevelopment projects with a vision to use existing buildings and materials, incorporate green technologies, and include ground floor retail in “Main Street” developments to foster a strong local business economy and provide much needed services to neighbors.

Lang centered much of WBNA’s fundraising and grant writing efforts on improving the neighborhood’s streetscapes so that it would be a safer place for residents and a more welcoming place for businesses. Her persistence resulted in securing over $40 million in public investment and grant funding for the neighborhood and catalyzing millions more in private investment. These funds supported traffic redesign and the creation of the city’s newest “pocket park” at Luongo Memorial Square, which enjoys greenery and the artist-designed Decatur Fountain; the Westminster Street Decorative Lighting project which among its goals was to enhance the connection to Olneyville; ongoing support for the maintenance of the Cranston Street Armory; and countless improvements to roads and sidewalks.

Over many years, Lang focused on issues of gentrification, affordable housing, integration and inclusion. WBNA has hosted housing meetings, advocated for affordable housing in new and existing development, supported legislation that fights housing discrimination, and has worked to increase affordable housing in the neighborhood with its own properties and through advocacy at city and community-led development project review meetings. Lang turned WBNA’s attention and efforts towards supporting the neighborhood’s public schools as a pathway towards a more inclusive and integrated community. Additionally, she has led the organization toward having a board of directors and committees that closely align with the neighborhood’s demographics.

“It’s been a privilege to work with so many dedicated neighbors, elected officials, and partners throughout the city and state,” said Lang. “Together we’ve made remarkable positive change in our community. With the continued work of WBNA’s board and our neighbors, I know the work will continue for years to come for the betterment of everyone in our neighborhood.”

What Have Your Legislators Been Up To?

As the first state legislative session of 2021 came to a close, WBNA reached out to each of the state lawmakers representing our focus area to ask what they're most proud of (and most concerned about) so far this year. Not all of them were able to speak with us in time to participate in this update, but those who could shared valuable perspectives on RI's political landscape. Here's what they told us!

Sam Bell - Senate District 5

Senator Bell shared his thoughts on the session with WBNA via email

"This is, I think, the first year in a very, very long time that the legislature did more good than harm. I'm very pleased to see the passage of a path to a $15 minimum wage, some legislation to begin tackling the climate crisis, and some important steps towards reining in the power of the health insurance companies to deny coverage and dump costs on patients. And while there were definitely some bad bills, it was nowhere near as bad as it's been in the past. What I'm most proud of is how we got this done. When I was first elected in 2018, I adopted the strategy first pioneered by Senator Calkin, a Warwick Senator elected in 2016. Her innovation was to vote for bills on the basis of whether they were good or not, rather than on the basis of whether the machine supported them or not. She also pioneered the idea that you shouldn't vote for a right-wing leadership whose values were wildly out of step with the state of Rhode Island. When I adopted her strategy, there were a lot of skeptics. So many lobbyists and machine operatives told me that it would never work, that you have to loyally support the machine to get things done. But I knew that approach wasn't working for the people of our state. So alongside Senator Nesselbush, I adopted Senator Calkin's strategy, and I was able to continue her work to change the Senate. We made progress. Bills like the codification of Roe v. Wade were able to finally pass. When a wave of new progressive Senators won primaries last year (shoutout to Senator Mack, among many others), with a strong activist movement working with us, we were able to work together to use this strategy to keep the pressure on the machine in the Senate, and we saw the Senate really move on policy in a way it hasn't moved in many, many years. Our tactics are working, and that gives me hope.

The most frustrating setback of the year was an extremely disappointing budget that slashed state aid to Providence despite a $417 million surplus. Despite an unemployment rate of 5.8% and considerable ongoing suffering from the people of our state, the House and Senate Leadership resorted to aggressive budgetary gimmicks to delay relief until it will be too late to help (and go much more heavily towards inflation). This budget is, in my view, macroeconomic mismanagement, and it's an area where we have a lot more work to do. I was also very disappointed to see some of the important bills we got through the Senate die in the House, such as the legalization of recreational cannabis, driver's licenses for our undocumented neighbors, strong renewable energy standards, and many others."

Contact Senator Bell: sen-bell@rilegislature.gov

Tiara Mack - Senate District 6

Senator Mack shared her thoughts on the session with WBNA over the phone

Senator Mack shared that her first year as a senator was unusual and in many ways challenging due to the pandemic. While she's encouraged by the strength and underlying values of the policies being written and proposed by progressive legislators and activists, she has been disappointed in the legislature’s failure to enact what she sees as common sense reforms. In particular she pointed out the failure to pass basic criminal justice reforms like recreational cannabis legalization, the Sexual Assault Survivor’s Bill of Rights, and the Restrictive Housing Act (which would greatly reduce the use of solitary confinement in prisons) at a time when communities are calling for the transformation of the legal system. She also was disappointed in the state’s failure to tax the rich or pass a rent moratorium as the pandemic exacerbated economic inequality and left many Rhode Islanders facing homelessness.

Senator Mack sees certain qualified victories, like the overdue passage of an incremental $15 minimum wage plan, as a sign that leadership is conscious of the growing progressive movement and public appetite for progressive policies in our state. Like Senator Bell, Senator Mack is most excited by the strong activist base pushing for a more accountable and progressive state legislature, and sees electing more progressive candidates to state office as essential to passing legislation that can improve the lives of struggling Rhode Islanders.

Contact Senator Mack: sen-mack@rilegislature.gov

John Lombardi - House District 8

Rep Lombardi shared his thoughts on the session with WBNA over the phone

Representative Lombardi shared that this legislative session included a number of achievements, many of which, while encouraging, in his opinion do not go far enough. He was encouraged by some elements of the recently passed budget, including the institution of the first permanent funding stream for affordable housing development sourced from the real estate conveyance tax. He hopes to expand funding in the future for both affordable and low income housing in the state.

Rep Lombardi was also proud of a recent bill making it easier to have conviction records expunged, an essential and difficult step for formerly incarcerated people, although he says it doesn't go far enough as it still places hurdles preventing those with deferred sentences from having their records sealed. He hopes that the legislature will go further in coming sessions to eliminate barriers to employment and public services for formerly incarcerated Rhode Islanders.

Rep Lombardi was discouraged by the governors' office's cuts in state funding to distressed cities and towns and wants to see increases during the upcoming session. He also expressed dissatisfaction with the state takeover of Providence Public Schools, emphasizing that future superintendents should be hired from within the school system, not outside.

Contact Representative Lombardi: rep-lombardi@rilegislature.gov

Anastasia Williams - House District 9

Rep Williams shared her thoughts on the session with WBNA over the phone.

Representative Williams shared several victories from this session. She pointed to the passage of legislation banning housing discrimination based on source of income, a significant step toward housing equity, She also highlighted the passage of pay equity legislation, which is an important win for Rhode Island women and will bring the state a step closer to wage equality. She shared that both of these victories were hard fought and years in the making.

On a personal note Rep Williams was proud of her work to establish a special legislative committee dedicated to studying the racial equity impacts of optimizing health and safety laws for marginalized individuals, particularly sex workers. She also sponsored legislation upping jury pay to $35 by 2023 in order to make serving on a jury more accessible to low income Rhode Islanders, and passed legislation mandating the teaching of African American history in schools. Like Senator Mack, while Rep Williams was pleased to see the passage of a $15 minimum wage, she saw it as long overdue and the plan as far too slow in implementation (the wage will not reach a full $15 until 2025). 

Rep Williams was particularly unhappy this session with the leadership’s refusal to back essential changes to the Law Enforcement Officers Bill Of Rights (LEOBOR) which she sees as a massive obstacle to police accountability. She was also disappointed by the legislature’s failure to make drivers’ licenses accessible to undocumented people, a reform which would lift a burden from the daily lives of many Rhode Islanders.

Contact Representative Williams: rep-williams@rilegislature.gov 

Celebrating Yard Sale Day 2021

Yard Sale Day 2021 was a big success! Neighbors all around Federal Hill and the West End came out in the beautiful weather to buy and sell secondhand treasures, score deals at local businesses, and most importantly enjoyed one another’s company after a long winter in isolation. Several of them shared their yard sale day experience with WBNA! Here’s what they have to say…

“As newbies to Providence (my husband and I just moved here 6 months ago) the yard sale day was a perfect excuse to aimlessly roam and get to know the neighborhood better! Our favorite part was turning down streets we’d never encountered and stumbling across someone’s gorgeous garden or a little sale down an alley.” - Brie Roche-Lilliott

“My favorite part of the day was the egg rolls from our neighbors at the Providence Hmong Church! They are delicious.” - Nicole Pollock

“It’s absolutely magical up in here. I’ve met so many neighbors today! Thanks for organizing!” - Liza Birch

“I had a lovely day sitting in the sun and playfully haggling some of my favorite possessions with friendly strangers; thanks WBNA for organizing the Yard Sale Map; it was a great way to re-enter society and refresh my space. When will the next one be held?” - Tracy Jonsson-Laboy

“The West End's neighborhood yard sale was the best day of the whole past year! It was wonderful to be out in the neighborhood and see so many smiling faces. We really found some beautiful antique pieces and I even scored a new bike! It's a fabulous opportunity to meet neighbors, find treasures and enjoy the beautiful West End! Thanks for organizing it!” - Amanda Blount

Check out photos from the day below, and please take a moment to complete this brief survey so we can make the day even better next time!