City Hall Plaza $7.2M Bid Mulled at Council Monday

WARWICK, RI — Monday, the City Council will consider the federal recreation bond and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) – funded $7.2 million bid by Tower Construction Corp. of Cranston for City Hall Plaza improvements, for the lot behind City Hall.

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act was passed by Congress in 2021 without a single Republican vote in the Senate or House. The measure, President Joe Biden’s first legislative victory weeks after taking office despite the Jan. 8 insurrection that four Rhode Islanders were charged for their part in, delivered $1,400 stimulus checks, extended unemployment benefits and sent billions to local and state governments to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Frank Picozzi’s City Hall Plaza plan, unveiled in 2022, will not only build an ice skating rink for the winter months. The project is envisioned as a year-round event center, featuring roller skating, a splash pad, pickle ball, farmers markets, movie nights, dances, and concerts  When complete, City Hall Plaza is intended to be the central gathering place for Warwick residents. About $3.5 million of the project was planned to be funded using federal recreation bonds, with unspecified additional federal funding planned at the time.

City Council President Steve McAllister explained the funding and scope of the project has since changed.

“Once the City received the $5 million grant from Senator Reed the original plan and scope changed.  The budget became $8 million, $5 million from Reed and $3 from APRA.  Senator Reed providing this funding is going to make this project one of the best facilities in the state.  RI is lucky to have Senator Reed advocating for us in Washington,” McAllister said.

A link to the artist’s rendering of the City Hall Plaza plan, with several notes, is visible here: City-Hall-Plaza-Plan

Readers may review Monday night’s full agenda and meeting documents on the city’s website. The night’s meeting can be viewed remotely on the city’s YouTube channel.

Thursday, McAllister provided a preview of the City Park Plaza part of the night’s discussion.

“As you may know, Senator Jack Reed secured a federal earmark for this project.  The administration is also proposing using federal ARPA funds as well to build this facility.  The total cost at this time is $7,219,000.

We will hear this item first at the city council finance committee meeting which starts on Monday at 5pm.  Please feel free to attend and speak about your thoughts on this project or email your council person so they are aware of your concerns, thoughts, support or ideas.

This is a major project which will reshape Apponaug.  Please make sure your voice is heard,” McAllister wrote. City-Hall-Plaza-Plan