Woonsocket Radio News Room

 

RIPTA, Next Wave Rhode Island Partners to kick off comprehensive public input process on the future of the Providence Transit Center

 

Upcoming series of ‘Transit Talks’ public engagement sessions will provide several accessible opportunities for Rhode Islanders to share their opinions as this long-term project progresses

 

Providence, Rhode Island – Continuing a commitment to executing a robust and fully transparent planning and development process, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) and Next Wave Rhode Island Partners (Next Wave Partners) are seeking public input on the development of a new, state-of-the-art transit center in Providence.

 

The first in a series of “Transit Talks” public engagement sessions related to this project will be held on Monday, May 13 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. At this session, representatives from Next Wave Partners and RIPTA will discuss the project’s overarching objectives of enhancing ridership experience and expanding service.

 

“The development of a new transit center is a significant, long-term endeavor and a major investment in our economic and environmental future,” said Governor Dan McKee. “For a project as far-reaching as this, it is critical that we make every effort to involve the public at every step of the process. I encourage all Rhode Islanders to share their input and opinions.”

 

The interactive event on May 13 will provide RIPTA riders and members of the community with an opportunity to share their opinions and feedback on a new transit center, as well as their priorities regarding amenities that a new, modern, state-of-the-art transit center should provide. Translators will be available on-site to support individuals who speak Spanish and Portuguese. Refreshments will be provided.

 

“Rhode Island is overdue for a revamped, modernized transit center that can offer the centralized location and state-of-the-art amenities our riders expect and deserve,” said RIPTA interim Chief Executive Officer Christopher Durand. “Working alongside the Governor and the experienced professionals at Next Wave Partners, we are confident we can deliver a project that will improve riders’ experience and ultimately advance Rhode Island’s ambitious climate goals. We look forward to engaging the public over the next several months as we move forward.”

 

A consortium comprised of Marsella Development Corporation, Gilbane Development Company, Plenary Americas, Gilbane Building Company, CUBE 3 and Jacobs, Next Wave Partners was selected in August of 2023 by RIPTA to design and construct a new transit center in Providence. RIPTA’s Board of Directors voted to approve Next Wave Partner’s engagement on January 30, 2024.

 

The new transit center would serve as RIPTA’s central bus depot, providing millions of trips annually, and considering anticipated growth, the transit center will feature a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled passenger arrival and seating area, staff break areas, and amenities including multi-modal accommodations for bicyclists. 

 

Using a progressive public-private partnership (P3) model, RIPTA and Next Wave Partners will work together in two phases to complete the new transit center, a common model for larger infrastructure projects. This approach will ensure RIPTA has input at all stages of the development and can access the private-sector funding and expertise needed to successfully deliver a project of this scale.

 

“We recognize the vast, long-term significance this project will have on the entire state, and we are proud to have the opportunity to work with RIPTA and Governor McKee’s Administration to bring the vision of a brand-new transit center to life,” said Christopher Marsella, President, Marsella Corporation, on behalf of Next Wave Partners. “We look forward to speaking one-on-one with current RIPTA riders, Providence residents and other community stakeholders as we continue to assess potential sites.”

 

RIPTA and Next Wave Partners plan to host additional public engagement sessions over the course of the spring and summer. In an effort to reach individuals who are not able to attend these in-person sessions, outreach will also include a statewide survey to collect additional input and feedback.

 

Dates and locations of upcoming in-person sessions and summaries of all public input will be made available in the coming weeks. Visit www.RIPTA.com/TransitCenter for more information and updates.

 

 

About RIPTA

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s mission is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective transit service with a skilled team of professionals responsive to our customers, the environment, and committed to transit excellence.

 

About Next Wave Rhode Island Partners

Next Wave Rhode Island Partners is a consortium comprised of leaders in Rhode Island’s development sector, including Marsella Development Corporation, Gilbane Development Company, Plenary Americas, Gilbane Building Company, CUBE 3 and Jacobs.

 

Next Wave Partners was selected in August of 2023 by RIPTA to design and construct a new transit center in Providence. RIPTA’s Board of Directors voted to approve Next Wave Partner’s engagement on January 30, 2024.

 

 

Stormy Daniels is back on the stand today as former President Trump's criminal hush money trial resumes. On Tuesday, the adult film star gave a lot of information about her alleged sexual encounter with Trump, which he denies. A jury is trying to decide whether Trump is guilty of falsifying business records to cover up payments made to Daniels to keep her silent about the alleged affair just prior to the 2016 election.        At least three people are dead after severe storms hit the South. Tennessee was slammed with at least four tornadoes on Wednesday, and two deaths were reported, one by a large tornado and one by a falling tree. One person was killed by damaging winds in North Carolina when a tree fell on a car near Charlotte. Tornadoes were also reported in Georgia and Alabama.       Tall security fences now surround the site where pro-Palestinian protesters camped out at DC's George Washington University for two weeks. The barriers, similar to those used to protect the U.S. Capitol after the 2021 riot, are blocking every entrance to University Yard. The Yard and surrounding streets are now completely clean, free of tents and trash left behind by protesters forced from their encampment by DC police early Wednesday.       The U.S. has hit pause on a large shipment of offensive weapons for Israel over concerns about a large-scale military operation in Rafah in southern Gaza. U.S. officials say the move is to stave off a full Israeli invasion of Rafah and to prevent civilian casualties as ceasefire negotiations continue with partners in Cairo, Egypt. Israel has threatened a major assault on Rafah to defeat thousands of Hamas fighters, but the city is also a refuge for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled combat in the north.        More Americans are filing for first time unemployment benefits. The Labor Department reports receiving 231-thousand initial requests in the week ending May 4th. That's more than the 214-thousand most analysts had been expecting and an increase from the previous week's 208-thousand. It's also the highest number reported since last August.        This summer's box office is expected to come up short of pre-pandemic numbers. Disney's "Planet of the Apes" is tracking for a domestic opening weekend of between 55-and-60-million. Paramount's "IF" is looking at around 40 million. Analysts believe the summer movie season will exceed three-billion-dollars in ticket sales, but just barely. Before Covid, the summer box office consistently topped more than four-billion.       

Old News Archives