The Threat To Providence’s Working Waterfront Presentation to the Propeller Club October 15, 2007

Providence’s working waterfront is in jeopardy  City is trying to rezone the working waterfront along Allens Ave from industrial to mixed use  City planning documents envision idyllic mixed use residential condos, hotels, parks, and marinas. Existing working waterfront businesses are not a party of the city’s vision as illustrated in the Providence 2020 plan artist rendering below:

Protecting Providence’s working waterfront  The Providence Working Waterfront Alliance was formed in September to highlight the critical role that our working waterfront plays in the city, state, and region’s economies.  Providence Working Waterfront Alliance members believe that the Port of Providence is a vital regional economic resource that must be protected from mixed uses that are incompatible with a working waterfront.

Providence Working Waterfront Alliance members:  I. Broomfield & Son  J. Broomfield & Son  J. Goodison Company, Inc.  Multi-State Electric  Narragansett Improvement  National Grid  North East Marine Pilots  Oil Heat Institute of Rhode Island  Philips Services Corporation  Promet Marine Services  Providence Steamboat  Sprague Energy  St. Lawrence Cement  Walco Electric

Providence’s working waterfront is a key economic resource for Rhode Island and greater southern New England  Responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in total economic impact for the region.  Over 2,000 ships per year use the port to offload salt, cement, asphalt, and petroleum products, and load up with recycled metal for export to international markets.  Over 9 million tons of cargo move through the port every year.  One of the top 50 ports in the United States.  Recently completed $65 million 40-foot deep water channel dredging project specifically undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to meet growing regional demand for shipping services.

Providence’s working waterfront is responsible for thousands of jobs  Hundreds of direct employment jobs.  Thousands of multiplier jobs (tradesmen, truck drivers, service technicians, etc.).  One of the few remaining sources of well paid blue-collar jobs in Rhode Island.  Port-sector workers earn, on average, about $50,000.

Providence’s working waterfront is the main source of heating oil for Rhode Island, Southeast Connecticut, and Central and Southeast Massachusetts  Port fuel terminals supply virtually all of the heating oil for Rhode Island, Worcester County, Cape Cod and the islands, and eastern Connecticut households and businesses.  There are more than 450,000 oil heat customers in Rhode Island alone.  Port provides Rhode Island’s only source of residual heavy fuel oil for hospitals, universities, commercial buildings, state and municipal buildings, and utilities.

Providence’s working waterfront has a long and proud history that has shaped the city and the state  Providence harbor has been a center of shipping and commerce for more than 150 years.  Several working waterfront companies have continually operated here for more than 100 years.  The character of this neighborhood is a working waterfront:

Then (1903):

There are no relocation alternatives for Providence’s deep-water port dependent facilities  Most working waterfront companies must have access to Providence’s 40-foot deep-water port channel to operate.  There is no developable space available at ProvPort or Fields Point to relocate these companies to.  The state has indicated that it does not want heavy industrial use at Quonset and there is no deep water channel access.  Relocating these companies and rebuilding the infrastructure they need to operate will costs tens of millions of dollars and take years to obtain the necessary state and federal environmental permits.

Many proposed mixed uses for the area are incompatible with a working waterfront  Recreational boating from proposed marinas would directly interfere with heavy ship traffic in the port.  Condo residents and hotel guests likely to complain about loud noises and industrial activity produced by typical working waterfront operations.

Getting the word out about protecting Providence’s working waterfront  Alliance formed and announced in September  website launched  Prominent media coverage in the Providence Journal, Providence Business News, NBC 10, and other local media outlets  Alliance member testimony at October 1 st public hearing before the City Ordinance Committee  Working waterfront tour for City Council members  Planned open to the public working waterfront tours/day  Continued outreach to businesses, organizations, and individuals who support maintaining our working waterfront

What can you do to help?  Join the Alliance!  Charter member  Supporting member, $200 membership fee  Friend of the Alliance member  Write a letter to the editor in support of Providence’s working waterfront  Testify at future public hearings  Leave your card behind and we’ll add you to our list

Thank You! Providence Working Waterfront Alliance 242 Allens Avenue Providence, RI Phone: (401)