September 21, 2023
City of Warwick
Office of Housing Community & Development
3275 Post Road
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
(401) 921-9688
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Warwick.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or after October 11, 2023 the City of Warwick Office of Housing & Community Development will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103) and as amended, to undertake the following project: City Hall Plaza, with an approximate address of 3275 Post Road (rear of Warwick City Hall) (41.70287 -71.458874) on Warwick Tax Assessor’s Plat & Lots - Plat 245 Lot 61. The proposed project will entail a complete renovation to the existing space as it stands today. The major components included are as follows: The realignment and configuration of the existing parking lot to provide roughly 55,000 sf or approximately 132 total parking spaces while including a drop off/ food truck parking area, handicap accessible spaces as required, and an outdoor ice rink with side boards and overhead structure with lighting. Aside from its primary use as an ice skating rink during the winter months, the plaza will host multi-functional events and activities during all seasons of the year. The plaza will include two new buildings; one to house the ice rink’s mechanical equipment and Zamboni / maintenance equipment, and a second to include concessions, skate rentals, restrooms, etc. There will also be an outdoor dining area situated in the vicinity between the concessions building and the abutting commercial businesses. This area will include removable tables and chairs as well as high-top, bar-style seating overlooking the ice rink. Located directly behind the existing City Hall building will be a passive court yard area, which will include ornamental tree pit plantings wrapped with raised bench-style seating. Located just south of the existing memorial will become open passive green space with a high potential for on-site storm water management. The estimated cost of the project is $8,000,000.00 ($5,000,000 EDI/CPF funds and $3,000,000 City of Warwick funds).
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Warwick has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Warwick’s Office of Housing & Community Development, 65 Centerville Road, Suite I (2nd Floor), Warwick, RI 02886 where the record is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Warwick Office of Housing Community Development, 3275 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886. Comments can also be emailed to melissa.j.foley@warwickri.gov. All comments received by October 10, 2023 will be considered by the City of Warwick prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City of Warwick certifies to HUD that Mayor Frank J. Picozzi, in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Warwick Office of Housing & Community Development to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Warwick’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Warwick; (b) the City of Warwick has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and can be either emailed to HUD Region 1 at CPDRROFBOS@hud.gov or mailed to the following address:
Community Planning and Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Boston Regional Office, Region 1
Thomas P. O’Neill Jr. Federal Building, 3rd Floor
10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02222-1082
617-994-8374
Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Frank J. Picozzi, Mayor
City of Warwick
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