The East Providence Waterfront District is approximately three hundred acres of vacant/and or underutilized land along the Seekonk and Providence Rivers. The Waterfront Plan allows for the potential building of in excess of over 2 million square feet of office/commercial space, and 2,500 new residential units; the Plan creates seven waterfront sub-districts, each allowing different mix of uses to
avoid incompatible uses. The Waterfront District provides the best opportunity to expand local tax base and offers the greatest potential in City for attracting new business and jobs while reusing former industrial land. The Waterfront Plan, District and Commission are already creating new housing, recreational, civic and cultural opportunities. Over the past ten years, the Commission has helped shepherd development proposals and infrastructure projects through a predictable and rapid review procedure: the non-partisan Commission has an aggressive 45- to 60-day review period for major development projects and is committed to facilitating redevelopment along the East Providence waterfront. The Commission truly offers “one-stop shopping”: the Commission has an advisory Design Review Committee that holds public meetings and workshops to ensure good design for proposed projects and a Hearing Panel to advise the Commission on the granting of waivers, freeing the applicant from a separate City zoning process. The Waterfront Commission is funded through developer’s fees and a small p***c grant. The East Providence Planning Director serves as the Executive Director; staff also includes a part-time planner. The Commission has implemented the Plan on a small budget but with patience, persistence, and hard work.
