We have been a part of many big wins this past year including breaking ground on the new community learning center, bringing more housing stock into the city and so much more!

In this newsletter is a synopsis and highlight of all of the major wins and accomplishments throughout the City in 2025, as well as some of the moments that made East Providence shine over the past year.

January: In response to President Donald J. Trump's Executive Order aiming to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs within the federal government, Mayor Bob DaSilva signed a proclamation during the city's annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Program reaffirming the city's commitment to supporting these programs and the residents of East Providence.

• East Providence launches temporary extreme weather overnight warming shelter with the help of city staff and local volunteers.

• East Providence officials cut ribbon on East Point Development, following the first condominium sale. This new community will create nearly 400 residential units as well as 39-age restricted affordable housing units. This project, which began in 2022, is revitalizing the former home of Washburn Wire and Ocean State Steel Company.

• The East Providence Fire Department adds 12 new firefighters to their rank thanks to $3.75 million in federal funding through the Staffing Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.

• East Providence awarded $500,000 Municipal Infrastructure Grant from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for stormwater and drainage improvements along Greenwood Avenue.

• East Providence used $50,000 in ARPA funding to hire TNT Gravestone Solutions LLC to make restorations at the historic Newman Cemetery.

• The City of East Providence begins the Booth Avenue stabilization project to help shore up the bluff and prevent it from eroding.

• The East Providence City Council approve a resolution for Mayor Bob DaSilva to enter into a contract to construct a new concession stand and storage building at Crescent Park.

February: East Providence launches program giving 5,000 free gallons of home heating oil to residents of the city thanks to the incredibly gracious donation from our corporate neighbor, Global Partners. Thanks to their generosity, 50 households received 100 gallons of free home heating oil.

March: East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva featured on WPRI12's Community Focus live in studio to highlight the city taking the lead on recycling. Improper recycling cost the East Providence taxpayers $91,000 in 2024 from over 900 tons of rejected waste. Since 2021, taxpayers have paid more than $200,000 in fines and violations for rejected loads. In this live interview Mayor DaSilva also highlighted new light posts, trees, sidewalks and paving on Veterans Memorial Parkway. In his final discussion with WPRI12 anchor Kayla Fish, Mayor Bob DaSilva highlighted that the Metacomet Golf Course Project received an approval for their development plan and the potential for 890 new living spaces with 10% of that being affordable. This project will also, when complete feature commercial spaces.

• The East Providence City Council voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Bob DaSilva to enter into a contract extension with Pawtucket Hot Mix Asphalt to repair and repave $2.3 million in city roads.

• East Providence begins upgrades at Riverside Rec. Field including storage, a dedicated space for the EP Jr. Townies Football team, a new concession stand and improved amenities

April: East Providence partners with Stop Wasting Abandoned Property (SWAP) to build threes duplexes, each included a three-bedroom unit, along with a one- or two-bedroom apartment that can generate rental income for homeowners. The two-family homes were priced at $239,000 to remain affordable for low- to moderate-income families who may otherwise be priced out of Rhode Island's housing market.

• East Providence earns recognition as a Tree City USA from Arbor Day Foundation. During the ceremony, Mayor Bob DaSilva committed to planting over 500 trees in 2025.

In 2025, the City of East Providence planted over 530 trees.

• East Providence unveils newly designed water and sewer bills to clearly outline what they are being charged for.

• East Providence recognizes 12 'Remarkable Women' for their impacts on the city and their community.

• East Providence installs original Pawtucket Red Sox seats from McCoy Stadium at East Providence High School, keeping a piece of baseball history in the City. In 1981, McCoy Stadium was the home of the record-breaking 33-inning game, the longest in MLB history.

• East Providence is awarded $70K in Math Matters RI Grant through Gov. Dan McKee's LEARN365RI Initiative.

• East Providence teams up with students from Hennessey Elementary School to plant 28 trees in celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day.

May: East Providence is awarded $50,000 in Placemaking Grants from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and Governor Dan McKee to assist with the 2025 cultural feast season.

• East Providence begins work on the $26 million investment, in cleaning and lining of the city's water distribution system.

• Robert Rock Senior Center named the state's first municipal LGBTQ+ Safe Zones by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

• The Rhode Island Department of Education hosts their 2nd annual 'Menu For Success' Student Food Truck Roundup at Crescent Park. This program offers school districts from across the state an opportunity to go head to head for the Governor's Cup and Commissioner's Belt for best dish and best dessert.

• East Providence celebrates its inclusive cultural ties with the Day of Azores flag raising and celebration.

June: The East Providence Fire Department becomes the first in the United States to have Non-PFAS turnout gear department wide.

• East Providence acting Police Chief Michael Rapoza graduates from the FBI National Academy.

• The City of East Providence lowers residential tax rates 14% to align with property revaluation.

• East Providence receives a $20,000 Advancing Economic Mobility Rapid Grant to promote economic mobility in the city from the National League of Cities.

• East Providence launches the 2nd round of Washington Bridge Grants to businesses negatively impacted by the closure of the Washington Bridge.

• East Providence launches 2025 Summer meals program, granting free meals to children throughout the summer while school is out.

• East Providence celebrates and hosts its 3rd annual Pride Flag raising and parade. This year's keynote speaker was former Congressman and current President & CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation, David Cicilline.

• East Providence celebrates its deep Portuguese roots with a 'Day of Portugal' celebration featuring a flag raising and ceremony at City Hall.

• Mayor DaSilva strengthens international relations, visits the Azores for 'Sister Cities Summit'.

July: Mayor DaSilva strengthens International relations, visits Cape Verde for countries 50 year anniversary of independence. During the trip, Mayor DaSilva and the delegation also had the opportunity to meet privately with Cape Verde President José Maria Pereira Neves and Prime Minister José Ulisses de Pina Correia e Silva.

• Mayor DaSilva recognized by Real Access Motivates Progress (RAMP) as this years 'RAMP Accessibility Public Official Trailblazer' for the City of East Providence's work and commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion.

• New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani hosts 'The Lake Como Show' at East Providence High School to help fundraise for the East Providence Library.

• East Providence Recreation Department announces 2025 Dolly Searle golf winners. The event’s 70th anniversary was made extra special with this year’s top golfer being none other than the Great Grandson of Dormand Searle. G. Nicholas Pierce, of San Diego, CA who played with his father, G. Scott Pierce and cousin Jeff Searle, making the outing a truly family affair!

August: City of East Providence launches Kent Heights Park with community celebration.

• The City of East Providence breaks ground on $16 million State-of-the-art Community Center. This project has received over $16 million in funding through State and Federal dollars. State Community Learning Center Municipal Grant: $10,493,659, Congressional Directed Spending Community Project Funding Grant, $3,000,000 American Rescue Plan Act Funds, $3,000,000.

• The City of East Providence brings international tourism to the forefront with the construction and unveiling of Thomas Dambo troll, Mrs. Skipper.

• Mayor DaSilva meets with Hollywood A-list celebrities J.J. Abrams and Glen Powell as they film an upcoming movie in East Providence.

• East Providence Heritage Arts collaborates with the City of East Providence to host East Bay Music Fest at Pierce Memorial Stadium, featuring John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band.

• East Providence announces the launch of Rhode Island's 3rd 'Situation Table', to collaborate with local organizations, agencies and non profits to create a unique, risk-based, rapid triage model that brings service providers to address the needs of individuals or families facing Acutely Elevated Risk.

• East Providence Police host 3rd annual 'Cops & Rodders' Car Show with all of the money being raised going to 'The Tomorrow Fund'.

• East Providence hosts 34th annual 'Neighborhood Park Day' at Onna Moniz-John Park.

• East Providence hosts "Rhode Island Folk Festival" at Crescent Park.

• The East Providence Police Department hosts 2025 National Night Out, a free community event at Pierce Memorial Field.

• The East Providence Arts Council hosts The Looff East Providence Arts Festival at Crescent Park.

• The City of East Providence invests millions into improvements to Waddington Elementary School ahead of the start of the new school year.

September: The City of East Providence adopts new Accessary Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance to help create a larger, affordable housing stock throughout the city.

• The City of East Providence recognizes late World War II Veteran , purple heart recipient Avelino "Chappy" Rose with a street dedication ceremony.

• The City of East Providence dedicates the basketball courts at Kent Heights in honor of Vincent "Vinny" Spremulli.

• The City of East Providence hosts a ribbon cutting to unveil the newest additions and renovations to the East Providence Library. The improvements were funded with a $185,000 grant from ‘The Champlin Foundation’ and a $20,000 donation from ‘The Friends of the East Providence Public Library’, a non-profit organization.

• East Providence High Schools hosts annual fundraising event, "Color Run".

• The City of East Providence gathers together as one to remember the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States of America.

• The East Providence Heritage Arts hosts vocal group, "The Platters" at East Providence High School.

• East Providence makes major renovations to Lyle Bourne and Glen Lyon parks including new paving and resurfacing of basketball courts as well as the addition of pickleball courts.

• The East Providence Fire Department are featured in the New England Patriots 2025 hype video as the state of Rhode Island representatives.

October: East Providence Mayor Bob DaSilva signs Fiscal Year 25-26 budget following City Council approval.

• The City of East Providence is awarded $40,000 from Governor McKee and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green as part of the fourth round of Learn365RI grants aimed at improving math skills and student attendance across Rhode Island.

• The City of East Providence is awarded $94,000 grant from Governor Dan McKee, the Executive Office of Housing (EOH) and RIHousing to support housing production.

• East Providence hosts annual "Great Townie Pumpkin Festival" at Crescent Park.

• The City of East Providence hosts community tree planting celebration at Newman Cemetery, plants 39 trees.

• Thousands flock to Crescent Park for the New England Witches Guild 2025 Halloween Parade & Festival.

• The City of East Providence lights City Hall red in recognition of Dyslexia Awareness Month.

• The East Providence Fire Department hosts annual EPFD Freaky 5k.

November: The City of East Providence and the East Providence School District cut the ribbon on the new $128 million state-of-the-art Martin Middle School.

• East Providence and East Bay Community Action Program unite to expand on-site health services for students and staff at East Providence High School. This project reflects over three years of dedicated planning and execution to create additional resources and a central location for our community to access physical and behavioral health services. 

• The City of East Providence launches a free advertising campaign for small businesses throughout the city.

• East Providence recognizes Staff Sgt. Peter Barilla and the late Corporal Avelino "Chappy" Rose at the city's 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony.

• East Providence strengthens international relations with commemoration ceremony and plaque unveiling with sister city, Vila Franca do Campo, Azores, Portugal.

• The City of East Providence, with the help of local community partners, launches a citywide food drive, donating hundreds of pounds of food to assist residents during the pause of SNAP benefits, due to the government shutdown.

• The City of East Providence hosts Veterans Cafe at the East Providence Senior Center.

December: One Neighborhood Builders break ground on Center City Apartments in East Providence. Center City Apartments will transform a vacant, three-acre blighted parcel on Taunton Avenue into 144 affordable apartments.

• The City of East Providence hosts annual City Hall tree lighting festival, bringing together community, local business, and entertainment for a night of family fun with Santa.

• East Providence completes improvements to Willet Pond including new ADA accessible walkways, new concrete pad for a gazebo, new pervious asphalt parking lot to contain rainwater runoff.

• The City of East Providence hosts the 15th annual 'Winterfest', as Santa's arrival to the East Providence Senior Center brings holiday cheer.

• The City of East Providence and East Providence Police Department swears in three new police officers.

• The City of East Providence collaborates with Steve Brosnihan to make the 10 year anniversary of 'Good Night Lights' extra special. Every Wednesday night, our East Providence Police and Fire Departments join the heartwarming Good Night Lights tradition, flashing their lights to send love and goodnight messages to the brave children at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

• The City of East Providence implements two new 'Tina's Tables' to the Kent Heights Recreational Facility, to increase accessibility for all throughout the park.

• East Providence launches 2nd year of a program that gives 5,000 free gallons of home heating oil to residents of the city thanks to the incredibly gracious donation from our corporate neighbor, Global Partners. Thanks to their generosity, 50 households will receive 100 gallons of free home heating oil.

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