Public Workshops to Hear What Rhode Islanders have to Say about Preserving and Creating Great Places

The January gatherings represent Round Four (final round) of a four-part Great Places workshop series.

This effort is just one part of the ongoing RhodeMap RI planning process, a comprehensive statewide planning strategy that also includes plans for housing and economic development. The Great Places work includes the identification, mapping and intersection of Green Resources (water supply, farmland, cultural areas, historic sites, recreation and open space areas), Economic Resources (land use, transportation networks, water and sewer, power and communications), and Social Resources (community facilities, social services, public transportation, labor/workforce opportunities).  Over the first three rounds, participants worked with a series of regional, city and town maps showing those areas of the state where growth and revitalization makes the most sense, based on the location of roads and other infrastructure and the need to protect important natural and cultural resources.         

“These workshops are a great opportunity for everyone to participate and contribute to a vision for the future of Rhode Island”, stated Governor Chafee. “When we work together, our communities can strengthen and thrive.”

"The Great Places workshops are one part of RhodeMap RI's comprehensive effort to strengthen the state's economy, create vibrant neighborhoods, and prepare for future growth," stated Director of Administration Richard Licht.  "Input from participants will be critical to the development of the strategic plans the state is creating to address these issues."

The purpose of this final round of workshops is to bring together the entire analysis to provide a comprehensive look at priorities for conservation and development across the state.  Participants in the workshops will also have an opportunity to weigh in on some preliminary results from the Housing and Economic Development groups, and to get a first look at how everything is coming together.  The feedback from these workshops will be used to shape new state policies for economic development, housing, environmental protection, and land use as part of a broader, comprehensive statewide strategy.

Those who attend will participate in a fun, interactive session that will start with a look at the results of the Round Three Growth Centers Game, showing potential growth centers, key transportation networks, and Green networks.  Overlays will show what participants indicated was the economic role of each center and the amount of future growth that is appropriate. This is an important opportunity to see how potential growth centers in each city and town fit into the regional economy.  Participants will also discuss how local conservation priorities and hazards due to storms and potential flooding should shape future growth.  Finally, those who attend the final round of workshops will be able to discuss infrastructure grants and other incentives that may be needed to bring this shared vision to life. 

The feedback from these workshops will be used to shape new state policies for economic development, housing, environmental protection, and land use as part of a broader, comprehensive statewide strategy.

You do not need to register for these events.  The public can drop in any time to visit the open house and still give input and get information about RhodeMap RI throughout the duration of the workshop.  Each workshop will begin promptly at 5:00 pm with a brief presentation, followed by an interactive session for the remainder of the workshop. 

While each workshop will focus on a different region of the state, issues common to all communities will be discussed, so members of the public can pick the location most convenient for them.  The public workshops will be:

For more information, contact Melanie Jewett Army, AICP, Supervising Planner at Rhode Island Division of Planning, at melanie.army@doa.ri.gov or 401-222-6183.