Mayor Angel Taveras Officially Opens PPAC Square

photo by Caitlyn DiPompo

This morning, Mayor Angel Taveras and Governor Lincoln Chafee helped open PPAC Square, the newly redesigned and refurbished ntersection of Weybosset Street and Mathewson Street. The square, located in the heart of the City's Arts and Entertainment District and immediately in front of the Providence Performing Arts Center's grand marquee, provides a more welcoming approach to the City's signature theater.

"Providence's creative economy is strengthened by institutions like PPAC. I am proud to join supporters of the arts from across our city to officially open PPAC Square, a fitting grand entrance to our signature theater," said Mayor Taveras. "This project will help bring more people into our downtown. I thank Governor Chafee for his work as a member of the U.S. Senate to help make this day a reality. I also appreciate the groundwork that then-Mayor Cicilline and members of the Providence City Council laid to help secure vital federal funding for improvement projects in our downtown and other neighborhoods across Providence."

During the brief grand opening ceremony, PPAC honored Governor Lincoln Chafee with the Founder's Award, citing his work as a member of the United States Senate to secure federal funding for the traffic improvement project associated with the rededicated square.

"PPAC is truly an iconic institution that holds a special place in the history and cultural life of Providence and Rhode Island," Governor Chafee said. "Throughout the decades, this building has survived hurricanes and threats of demolition, and today it thankfully remains a Rhode Island landmark and a key component of the arts economy that drives Providence. I am proud to celebrate the dedication of PPAC Square and honored and humbled to receive the Founder's Award."

The PPAC Square rejuvenation was included in the Downtown Providence Traffic Circulation Improvements Project that has aimed to provide enhancements to areas across the city, including the West End, Olneyville and Federal Hill neighborhoods, as well as the Downtown Arts and Entertainment District. This project has taken measures to repave roadways and sidewalks, upgrade traffic signals and signage and install new ornamental lighting, trees, planters, bike lanes and other amenities.

The Downtown Providence Traffic Circulation Improvements Phase, of which the PPAC Square work was included, began in April 2011. The $5.5 million project restored two-way traffic on Weybosset and Empire Streets for the first time since the 1970s, while maintaining curbside parking on both sides of Empire Street. The PPAC Square project installed a dedicated drop off lane immediately in front of the theater and built out a functional traffic median that includes new sidewalks, 25 trees, granite planters, bike racks and new benches. The downtown project was supported with $4.7 million of federal funding, $700,000 of matching funds from the state and a nearly $1 million appropriation secured by PPAC for improvements within PPAC Square. An additional $800,000 was procured through a Providence Public Building Authority Bond.

As a member of the U.S. Senate, Governor Lincoln Chafee led the effort to secure federal support for the Traffic Circulation Improvements. Former Mayor and current U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline played an important role to develop the improvement plans in the downtown district, as well as the projects supported in the West End, Federal Hill and Olneyville neighborhoods.