At Brown University, Cicilline founded the College Democrats with his classmate, John F. Kennedy Jr. He graduated magna cum laude in 1983 with a degree in Political Science, and went on to earn a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center . He remained in Washington to serve as a staff attorney in the Public Defender Service before returning home to open a practice in criminal defense and civil rights law on historic Federal Hill. Cicilline began his political life serving four terms as state representative from District 4, on the city's East Side. He earned a reputation as a fierce champion of political reform and gun safety, and his dedication to ethics in government won him Common Cause’s #1 ranking. In 2002, when the City of Providence was buckling under a $59 million deficit, an archaic administrative infrastructure, and the legacy of decades of corruption, David Cicilline announced his candidacy for Mayor. Campaigning door-to-door across the entire city, he vowed to make city government a catalyst for the city’s renewal instead of a handicap. He pledged to restore public confidence in City Hall and to revitalize the city's neighborhoods. The message resounded. David Cicilline swept a four-way primary election, finishing 20 points ahead of his closest competitor. He went on to win the general election with an astonishing 84% of the vote. Upon taking the oath of office as the 36th Mayor of the City of Providence, Cicilline immediately went about implementing his five priorities: government integrity, strong neighborhoods, great schools, safe streets, and a dynamic economy. Since taking office, Mayor Cicilline has produced unprecedented results. “His city is blossoming, in spite of all the damage done to it in the past,” remarked conservative Providence Journal columnist, Edward Achorn. City government is in the process of a comprehensive transformation. Four out of five union employees now work under new, 21st-century, professional contracts. Innovative tracking technology monitors the efficiency of service delivery in real time. Government downsizing has led to the elimination of 400 salaries, and property tax rates are now at their lowest levels since 1916. Activity in Providence’s 25 neighborhoods has reawakened. Mayor Cicilline’s vision for a robust after-school system to rival those of wealthy suburban communities is on its way to becoming a reality. The two year-old Arts in the Park neighborhood program is already considered a national model. The Providence Public Schools are showing unprecedented improvement across the board as a result of fundamental reform. Test scores in 2004 jumped by an average of 9% for all grades and content levels. And two independent studies showed Providence Schools transforming into one of the most financially efficient urban districts in New England. Under Mayor Cicilline’s leadership, Providence has seen a double-digit drop in the rate of violent crime for two consecutive years, bucking the trend in other large cities to the north and south. Much of the credit for this goes to an innovative community policing strategy that is forging a strong new partnership between neighbors and law enforcement. By restoring trust in city government, Mayor Cicilline also ushered in an unprecedented wave of new investment in the city. In Cicilline’s Providence, downtown is both a powerhouse business district and an urbane and exciting place to live. Revitalized neighborhoods are providing affordable, livable, historic, and fashionable settings for growing companies. David Cicilline has Providence poised to climb new heights. He continues to transform City Hall into a more transparent, efficient, and innovative 21st-century organization. His optimism for his home city is boundless. City Hall Contact Information & Hours Hours * * Special early closing times to service the last customer apply to certain Departments. To ensure that you're not disappointed, please call ahead or arrive before 4:00pm.
Mayor David N. Cicilline was born in the South Side of Providence on Saratoga Street. His family later moved to the Silver Lake section of the city, and then to Narragansett, Rhode Island, where he had his first experience in politics. A leader in sports and civics programs, he graduated high school as president of his class.
Providence City Hall
Phone: (401) 421-7740 · TDD (401) 751-0203
25 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903
Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm
Summer Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm
