Providence City Council Newsletter, February 2023

Establishing Connections with the Community

With seven first-time Councilors, February was a month of connecting with constituents and joining together city department heads and the neighborhoods they serve. Councilors AnderBois, Roias, Sanchez, Pichardo, Graves, and Peterson all held inaugural community meetings, alongside other city and state leaders. Returning Councilors Goncalves, Ryan, and Harris also hosted their usual monthly meetings.

Welcoming New Leadership to Public Safety

During the month of February, both the Providence Police and Fire Departments announced new leaders.

The Council remained engaged in the search for a new Police Chief, with Councilors attending a community forum on February 8 to learn about the candidates. Congratulations to Chief Oscar Perez!

On February 13, Councilors celebrated the swearing-in of Fire Chief Derek Silva during a ceremony in the Council Chambers.

Project Updates

This month, Councilors got a look inside the progress of two major city projects.

In Ward 9, President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo toured the exciting new updates to the Elmwood Community Center. The $2.7 million construction project is set to be completed by this summer. The renovations include a new and improved basketball court and sprawling event space.

In Ward 4, Councilor Justin Roias viewed the construction work being done at the Narducci Pre K-8 Learning Center. The approximately $30 million renovation blends a bit of old character with new high-efficiency technology. The school will act as a district-wide swing space and is set to open for the fall 2023 school year.

Black History Month

On February 17, Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris presented "Pillars on Race: The Story of Race in Providence from 1935 to Today." The celebration featured music, poetry, food, and a one-of-a-kind historical exhibit curated by the Providence City Archives.

Out and About

Get the Word Out: PERA

International Women's Day

In the News

• Meet Providence's New Power Players (Providence Monthly)

• Providence's Diverse New City Council Hopes to Tackle Widespread Issues (Brown Daily Herald)

• Jewelry District's Promise Tied to Brown's Ongoing Expansion (Providence Business News)

Events Calendar

The Providence City Council is the legislative body that serves the many diverse communities of the City of Providence. Each council member serves as an advocate for their neighborhood and as a liaison between residents and the various departments and services our city has to offer.

To find your Councilor, click here. Already know your Councilor? Learn more about their work here.