2007 PLANNING CHALLENGE GRANTS
Funding Offered to Ten Worthy Projects
Ten regional and local planning projects will receive $359,250 in 2007-2008 under the Statewide Planning Program’s Planning Challenge Grant Initiative. Selected from 22 proposals requesting over $1.1 million, the ten projects slated for funding come from a variety of project sponsors and propose innovative solutions to address land use and transportation issues faced by Rhode Island communities. Grants were awarded to seven municipalities, two non-profit organizations, and one state agency and will support planning projects having an estimated value, including sponsor-match and leveraged funds, of over $800,000. A listing of the projects, contact persons, and summaries of the proposals follows.
The Challenge Grant Initiative was first undertaken by the Planning Program in 2006, following adoption by the State Planning Council of Land Use: 2025 – the State’s official land use plan which calls for more concentrated development and less sprawl. Supported with planning funds provided through the Federal Highway Administration, the Challenge Grant Initiative is intended to provide seed funding for statewide, regional, and local planning studies leading to implementation of the State Guide Plan’s Land Use and Transportation elements.
Proposals funded in the Statewide Planning Program’s 2007 Planning Challenge Grant Initiative are:
GROW SMART RHODE ISLAND: $65,000 to: Continue the award-wining Grow Smart RI Land Use Training Collaborative, including at least 14 workshops on topics such as mixed use development in centers, access management and TDR, dealing with density, affordable housing, and roles and responsibilities in the state and local planning and project review processes. CONTACT : Sheila Brush, Director of Programs, 273-5711 x 3
TOWN OF TIVERTON: $54,540 to: Develop new digital parcel level land use data for use in future planning studies such as transfer of development rights and access management. CONTACT : Chris Spencer, Town Planner, 625-6718
URI, COASTAL RESOURCES CENTER: $50,000 to: Prepare a comprehensive (GIS-based) inventory of Rhode Island's ports and commercial harbors, including existing resources, marine infrastructure and uses, and conditions. Develop recommendations to bolster potential for these facilities to collectively resolve issues of traffic congestion, solid waste management, and economic development. CONTACT : Jennifer McCann, 874-6127
CITY OF PROVIDENCE $40,000 to: Identify an appropriate mix of land uses and densities needed along the Providence Bayfront to support multi-modal transportation (bus, streetcar/light rail, bicycle, pedestrian, ferry, water taxi, etc.) within Providence and connecting to neighboring communities, and enhancing water-based transportation linkges to other Bay communities. CONTACT : Thomas Deller, Director of Planning & Development, 351-4300
THE PROVIDENCE FOUNDATION: $39,750 to: Determine feasibility, costs, benefits, ridership, service levels, and potential transit oriented development along an intrastate rail transit corridor from Woonsocket to Warwick. Build on the recent Woonsocket Commuter Rail Study to evaluate a broader vision for rail serving Woonsocket, Cumberland, Lincoln, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, Cranston and Warwick. CONTACT : Daniel Baudouin, Exec. Director, 521-3248
TOWN OF NORTH SMITHFIELD: $ 30,000 to: Evaluate opportunities and constraints for more concentrated, growth center development in Branch Village; develop community vision for future of the Village, new mixed-use zoning district, and plans and cost estimates for catalytic public improvement projects. CONTACT : Michael Phillips, Town Planner, 767-2202 x 312
TOWN OF WESTERLY: $30,000 to: Develop a townwide, parcel-based, digital land use coverage as first step towards implementing a Town GIS system. CONTACT : William Haase, Town Planner, 348-2550
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN: $25,000 to: Study designation of Wakefield and Peace Dale villages as growth centers, undertaking a review and revision of land use regulations, testing alternate build out scenarios, and assessing infrastructure needs for integration of public transit and bicycle and pedestrian modes. CONTACT : L. Vincent Murray, Town Planner, 789-9331
TOWN OF NORTH KINGSTOWN: $15,000 to: Support the continued implementation of the Post Road Corridor Plan and associated planning needs in connection with expanding the Wastewater Facility Plan to include Wickford by (1) rewriting the development review process of the Town's Zoning Ordinance, (2) establishing a Transfer of Development Rights Credit Bank, and (3) revising zoning and design. CONTACT : Jon Reiner, Town Planner, 294-3331 x 310
TOWN OF JAMESTOWN: $10,000 to: Develop computer visual imaging of future build out options, to be used in the Town's Vision 2020 and Beyond village visioning charrette and planning process, to engage the public in consideration of form based zoning proposal to increase density in town village center.
CONTACT : Lisa Bryer, Town Planner, 423-7220
