City, state brand City Centre Warwick, cite opportunities

Posted 5/12/15

Mayor Scott Avedisian, state Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr., Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor and Kelly Fredericks, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport …

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City, state brand City Centre Warwick, cite opportunities

Posted

Mayor Scott Avedisian, state Department of Transportation Director Peter Alviti Jr., Secretary of Commerce Stefan Pryor and Kelly Fredericks, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, announced this week another step in the branding and marketing of City Centre Warwick, one of Rhode Island’s key infrastructure and transit-oriented developments.

Last week, crews installed 40 banners throughout City Centre Warwick (www.citycentrewarwick.com), the 95 acres surrounding T.F. Green Airport, the InterLink intermodal commuter rail station and Interstates 95 and 295 poised for redevelopment into a lively commerce and multi-modal transit center in the heart of southern New England. 

The slogan on one banner design reads, “Explore New England’s Transit-Oriented Development Hub,” while the other simply reads, “Live Work Play.” They have been installed on Jefferson Boulevard from the Airport Connector to the InterLink garage and on Post Road, starting at the Airport Connector, to Airport Road. 

The banners are part of a continued, cooperative effort among the city and its state partners to create and promote a cohesive identity on a local, regional and national level to position City Centre Warwick as a prime development hub with unique investment and business growth opportunities. RIDOT received a $400,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to fund this project; the grant has also paid for development of brand identity, website and market analysis. 

“We’re seeing a great deal of interest and momentum in and around City Centre Warwick, including the recent announcement of a $50 million, four-story mixed use development project directly across from the InterLink, and another $25 million to be invested in a new building on Metro Center Boulevard,” Avedisian said in a statement. “While construction of these projects will be a visible sign of job creation and revitalization of the area, the banners will stand – for residents and visitors alike – as a strong symbol of our vision for the area – a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use neighborhood in which to live and work.” 

“Throughout the country, centers of transportation have long been catalysts for economic growth and innovation,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr. said in a statement.   

“City Centre Warwick’s proximity to T.F. Green Airport, the InterLink and I-95 makes it attractive to businesses looking to relocate to or grow in Rhode Island,” said Secretary Stefan Pryor. “Continuing to market the area will help to advance our economy and create jobs.” 

Kelly Fredericks said, “The future development possibilities for this area are exciting, especially for T.F. Green Airport. With the next phase of marketing, these banners will serve to increase awareness of the valuable parcels located in close proximity to a transportation hub. The anticipated demand from new business and residents to the area will no doubt help to grow our air and rail service as well.”       

With roughly three million square feet available for revitalization in City Centre Warwick and the adjacent business innovation district, the area offers unparalleled development possibilities. For additional information about the district, its master plan and the market segmentation analysis, visit www.citycentrewarwick.com

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  • RichardLangseth

    Everybody should take the time to view www.citycentrewarwick.com

    It has Mayor Advesian touting the Elizabeth Mill as a commitment to our heritage. So much for our heritage now that it is gone. It also shows a glitzy train station - ya right!

    Did you know that the mayor thinks the Interlink is a half-mile from I-295???? That's news to me.

    Here's the worst of it - transportation options include "Amtrak: Daily commuter rail service runs between downtown Providence, Boston, New York, Kingston Station (URI) and Westerly." Don't you know Steve Devine of DOT and RIPTA Chairman Advesian that the non presence of Amtrak is a sore issue among those who give this City Centre -- some weird spelling of Center -- any chance of success?

    Where is the $400,000 going here. It would be much better spent on planning bike paths from the Interlink to the malls than using old outdated web sites to suck investors into some impossible dream. That is necessary because the thing that kills the City Centre dream is a severe lack of parking.

    Where is the three million square feet available for revitalization? At one point Leviton had 1.6 million square feet - but some of that is gone now. And Dean is operating some of that as a warehouse. Is that warehouse space available or under some kind of lease?

    How do the available parcels leave the owners' hands and become available for development? Is it by condemnation? This story raises a whole lot more questions than it answers. Hopefully the Beacon will take a second look.

    Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Report this

  • falina

    Sort of like the Centre of New England? How's that working out? #tumbleweeds

    Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Report this

  • falina

    RHODE MAP RI

    Tuesday, May 12, 2015 Report this

  • RoyDempsey

    If you are in to brand identity, website and market analysis, you apparently can do quite well in Rhode Island. All of this gives the appearance that something is happening. No economic growth, let's study why not. No, should have said, let's restudy why not.

    Wednesday, May 13, 2015 Report this