Smart Growth leaders, projects and plans to be honored at June 10th Awards Reception

by John Flaherty on May 7, 2013

May 6, 2013 – Providence, RI – Saying there’s no better way to promote the many benefits of smart growth than to profile successful local examples, Grow Smart Rhode Island will honor and celebrate individuals, plans and projects that play to Rhode Island’s strengths, generate sustainable economic benefits and improve communities and neighborhoods in the process.

The 2nd Annual Rhode Island Smart Growth Awards will be presented on Monday, June 10th, at a 5:30 p.m. reception and ceremony to be held at the Pawtucket based Hope Artiste Village, itself a 2012 award-winner for its redeveloped mill space that is home to more than 90 business tenants.

Tickets to attend are $50.  Register Online.

The 2013 Smart Growth Awards will recognize two inspiring leaders, five transformative smart growth projects and one visionary plan for Main Street revitalization. The public was invited to nominate candidates by March 15th and a selection committee made up of Grow Smart Board members and staff made the final selections.

In addition to an awards ceremony, the June 10th event will feature a keynote address by Tacoma, Washington Mayor Marilyn Strickland, drawing connections between smart growth and economic development in her city. Mayor Strickland and Warwick, RI Mayor Scott Avedisian are colleagues on Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council Advisory Board.

Outstanding Smart Growth Leaders:

Christopher Wilkens

During his six years of service on the Narragansett Town Council (2006-2012), perhaps no one proposed and got approved more local initiatives supportive of smart growth than Chris. As a member of the Town Council and Narragansett Land Conservancy, Chris successfully advocated for investing in key open spaces and the development of a Master Plan for the 160-acre Canonchet Farm, following 18 months of public engagement. Chris also led the charge to invest in the iconic Kinney Bungalow at the historic Sunset Farm. Under his leadership in 2009, the Town established historic districts to preserve the character of historic neighborhoods and he spearheaded the effort to establish a comprehensive and asset-based economic development plan for the Town.

Westerly Land Trust, Westerly, RI

What distinguishes the 25 year-old Westerly Land trust from most others is that it has an “urban” as well as “open space” mission preserving Westerly’s sense of place. In addition to its holdings of 1,550 acres of woodlands, grasslands, freshwater and coastal wetlands, its Urban Initiative focuses on the redevelopment and enhancement of downtown commercial properties, particularly those having historic significance to the Town of Westerly. This urban initiative represents the flip side of the land conservation coin. Revitalizing historic, downtown areas to make them more attractive places in which to live, work and play reduces development pressure on open spaces that contribute to Westerly’s sense of place with important environmental and recreational resources.

Outstanding Smart Growth Projects:

Aquidneck Mill, Newport

The 1831 Aquidneck Steam Mill, one of the four largest original Newport Mills, was redeveloped in 2009 with the help of Rhode Island’s State Historic Tax Credit program. Located on Thames Street in Newport Harbor, the adaptive re-use of the historic landmark by the International Yacht Restoration School preserved an important asset, allowed for school expansion, the addition of a maritime research library, and created 20,000 SF of commercial lease space available to outside companies and those working in the marine trades, an important economic development asset to the Ocean State.

Providence Community Garden Network, Providence

The Providence Community Garden Network, a project of the Southside Community Land Trust (SCLT), has transformed six acres of vacant urban land into a network of 43 gardens where more than 300 families grow, eat and sell healthy food. SCLT network gardens are located in walkable, urban neighborhoods with compact built environments and transportation alternatives. The gardens affordably repurpose vacant land, create new and significant neighborhood amenities, provide public open space and support healthy lifestyles.

The Providence G, Providence

Located in the former office buildings of National Grid and Providence Gas, the Providence G brings a vibrant 24/7 mixed-use complex to Dorrance and Weybosset Streets. Completed in April, 2013, the complex includes fifty residential units, three retail/restaurant spaces and a 60 car lift-based garage. Made possible through Federal Historic Tax Credits, the project takes advantage of existing transportation infrastructure, located just blocks away from Providence’s key train and bus nodes and utilizes the existing grid for all utilities.

Rumford Center, East Providence

Famous for its most prominent product, baking powder, the former 1856 Rumford Chemical Works was redeveloped by the Kirkbrae Development Corp. and Peregrine Holdings LLC of East Providence in 2009. The project involves the redevelopment of an 8.5 acre, 200,000 SF historic mill into a mixed-use complex that includes homes, jobs and restaurants. By 2005, several buildings in the complex had fallen into disrepair and were in danger of condemnation. Fortunately due to opportune timing and the presence of State Historic Tax Credits, the future of the complex took a dramatic turn from an endangered historic property to a vibrant mixed-use development that has redefined and revitalized this section of Rumford in the City of East Providence.

Sweetbriar, Barrington

The Sweetbriar community, developed by the East Bay Community Development Corporation, demonstrates the importance of good design in earning community support for affordable housing. The development consists of 23 freestanding buildings with 47 affordable rental units that are affordable to households earning 50% to 60% of area median income. Located on the site of the former West Barrington Middle School, Sweetbriar creates a very livable neighborhood for its residents and offers the convenience of public transit access to a variety of destinations, including a grocery store. Once a target of intense community opposition, Sweetbriar’s attractively designed and well cared for homes have won approval from many former nay-sayers.

Outstanding Smart Growth Policies and Plans:

Woonsocket Main Street Livability Plan

The Woonsocket Main Street Livability Plan, begun in 2012, creates a smart growth blueprint for guiding and coordinating public and private investments toward a vibrant Downtown Woonsocket where a revitalized Main Street becomes a more attractive and inviting place to live, work and shop. The plan includes a number of recommendations that aim to leverage the city’s success with arts and entertainment and calls for a number of policy changes including changes in land use and zoning, streetscape improvements, creation of dedicated bikeways, improved pedestrian connections and a reconfiguration of traffic patterns. The 209-page analysis was prepared by The Cecil Group and reflects a comprehensive approach to smart growth.

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Grow Smart applauds voters for approving investments to strengthen Rhode Island

by GrowSmartRI on November 7, 2012

Last night, Rhode Island voters made a resounding choice to support three (3) key investments in our state’s economic future.

By approving investments in Clean Water Infrastructure (Question 5 – 73% approved), Open Space and Farmland Protection (Question 6 – 69% approved) and Affordable Housing (Question 7 – 61% approved), voters sent a clear message to elected officials that they support targeted investments in our infrastructure and quality-of-place as being vital to building a robust 21st century economy.

“Maintaining this focus on targeted investments in our key assets can accelerate our economic progress dramatically,” said Scott Wolf, Grow Smart Rhode Island Executive Director, emphasizing that “a strong quality-of-place is becoming an increasingly competitive advantage for the very mobile, high-wage, knowledge-based workers and jobs that Rhode Island seeks to attract.”

The Clean Water Infrastructure and Open Space/Farmland Protection bonds passed in every community, while the Affordable Housing bond passed in 34 of the state’s 39 cities and towns, representing more than 95% of the state’s population.

We are convinced that these investments will generate a high and relatively quick return in physical improvements to the state’s infrastructure along with thousands of new construction and permanent jobs. They are part of a package of proposals that Grow Smart recently unveiled in our economic call to action.

Other elements of this package include three additional proposals teed up for early action in the 2013 General Assembly:

  1. A proposal to bring back in modified form the successful State Historic Tax Credit to jumpstart economic development in our urban and town centers.
  2. The proposal of the Coalition for Transportation Choices to invest more systematically in mass transit to better connect workers with jobs and to save people money on their commute.
  3. A proposal endorsed by the RI League of Cities and Towns, municipal officials and several legislators strengthening municipalities’ ability and incentive to invest in key infrastructure critical for economic development at the local level.

Detailed information about each of these proposals as well as other economic development opportunities for Rhode Island is available in Grow Smart RI’s 2012 Briefing Book for Candidates and Voters. (.pdf) The 21-page book makes the case for an asset asset based economic development strategy to expand the state’s economic development focus beyond austerity measures that only avert disaster rather than ensure a stronger future.

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Pedestrian safety: A view from the streets of Providence and beyond

by Coalition for Transportation Choices on October 26, 2012

This post is republished from the Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC). The CTC calls for a 21st century transportation system that enhances our economy and provides all Rhode Islanders with healthy transportation choices. Grow Smart RI is a member of the Coalition.

The explosion in popularity of the automobile in the last 50 years has shifted the focus of street design from pedestrian traffic to automobile traffic. Today, auto traffic often travels at speeds that are dangerous to pedestrians and bicyclists. Above speeds of 30-40 mph, the risk of serious injury or death is very high. This means that neighborhood streets are no longer safe for children to play in and communities to utilize.

Thirteen people in Rhode Island died in 2011, that’s up from 2010. Pedestrian fatalities account for a disproportionate number of overall traffic fatalities, comprising approximately 12.1% of all traffic fatalities.

This is part one of a two part series on pedestrian safety. Our guest author, Greg Gerritt, can be seen walking around Providence everyday. Greg is a long time community, environment, and justice activist with an active practice, ProsperityForRI.com focused on how to heal the RI economy.

I walked to and from work everyday, about 6 miles total in Providence. I have business all over the city and regularly walk 12 miles a day on the city’s streets. I have walked in every neighborhood of Providence but regularly walk to business anywhere between Downtown Pawtucket, Olneyville, and Pawtuxet Village.

I grew up in New York City in a family that did not have a car, so from a very early age I traveled much of the city by using public transportation and by walking. After 20 years as one of the great hitchhikers in America, including 15 years of commuting to work by hitchhiking, I moved to Providence and became a full time walker.

My years on the streets have taught me what cars do. I have learned to be very aware. But I have also developed a willingness to stand up for pedestrian rights, and try to remind both drivers and pedestrians that if everyone followed the traffic laws and used common sense, it would make it much safer for all.

In some ways the situation is desperate, pedestrians get killed every year in Rhode island, and most often in a cross walk. We need serious pedestrian education from a very early age on how to travel safely. How to account for flow, how to travel with awareness, what to look for, how light cycles work, all kinds of things that I have learned on my own, because in places like New York City, this behavior is more a part of pedestrian culture.

Paying attention to lights, knowing how stop signs and cross walks work, the very basic stuff, seems to be almost beyond the ken of most Rhode Islanders. Pedestrians just start walking without even looking at whatever random location they find them self.

Drivers could use an education, too. Cars routinely ignore cross walks, whizzing through, while randomly stopping in the middle of a block for a pedestrian who would be much safer if the cars just continued, and they were able to pick their own time and place to cross the street.

Tests that showed Massachusetts and Rhode Island drivers among the least knowledgeable in the nation. Texting while driving, for example, has become an epidemic everywhere, making pedestrian safety even more tenuous. Just another thing to distract drivers from driving.

With the continued deterioration of the climate and the economy, more people will be walking more. Since there is no money for the infrastructure upgrades, we need to improve walking safety. The will for the pedestrian education in the 21st century needs to go beyond safety, with pedestrian and bicycle safety at its heart.

Ten safety tips for Walkers at AARP.

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Grow Smart RI congratulates Mayor Scott Avedisian on his appointment to Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council

by GrowSmartRI on October 26, 2012

Avedisian recognized for his leadership in shaping an economically competitive and vibrant City of Warwick

October 25, 2012, Providence, RI – Grow Smart Rhode Island congratulates Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian on being selected as one of only 22 municipal leaders from around the U.S. to form the nonpartisan Advisory Board of Smart Growth America’s Local Leaders Council. The Local Leaders Council is committed to helping communities compete and grow in today’s economy, generate a better return on taxpayer investment, expand transportation and housing choices for residents, and create vibrant places where people want to live, work, and play.

“Mayor Avedisian’s new role recognizes his leadership in improving Warwick’s economy and the quality of life throughout Rhode Island,” said Scott Wolf, Executive Director of Grow Smart Rhode Island. “He also stepped up this year to lead the improvement of our statewide transit system as RIPTA Chairman. We are proud to see Mayor Avedisian selected to help lead the nationwide effort to promote sustainable economic growth and an enhanced quality of place in hundreds of communities throughout America.”

In May, Grow Smart recognized the Warwick Station Development District as an Outstanding Smart Growth Project as part of its inaugural Smart Growth Awards program. The vision and Master Plan aims to transform 95 acres surrounding T.F. Green Airport and the InterLink intermodal transportation facility into a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented “growth center” taking advantage of the district’s capacity and assets.

With the help of the Advisory Board, the Local Leaders Council will establish a nationwide network of municipal leaders seeking to implement smart growth. Members will receive technical assistance in policy development and other resources. More information about the Local Leaders Council is available online at smartgrowthamerica.org/local-leaders.

Grow Smart Rhode Island is a statewide public interest group representing a broad coalition of partners that advocates for sustainable economic growth that builds upon and strengthens Rhode Island’s exceptional quality of place. We work to achieve revitalized, walkable urban and town centers; housing options and affordability; expanded transportation choices; a vital agricultural sector; and responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide. From providing more sidewalks to ensuring more homes are built near public transportation or that productive farms remain a part of our communities, smart growth helps make sure people across the nation can live in great neighborhoods. For additional information visit smartgrowthamerica.org.

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RIPTA survey seeks to uncover what you want and what you need from your public transit system

by Coalition for Transportation Choices on October 19, 2012

This post is republished from the Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC). The CTC calls for a 21st century transportation system that enhances our economy and provides all Rhode Islanders with healthy transportation choices. Grow Smart RI is a member of the Coalition.

RIPTA is asking Rhode Islanders what it can do to serve existing riders better and attract more customers.

They’ve already collected 10,000 surveys by talking to riders one-on-one on every route of the system at bus stops and during their rides.

RIPTA is looking for survey responses from both riders and non-riders. If you haven’t taken the survey already, you have until Friday, Oct. 12 to take it online by clicking the image below:

We hope you will encourage all members of your organization to follow this link to read about the project and participate in the brief survey.

The survey, or Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), will help RIPTA identify its strengths and weaknesses, understand local travel needs, what type of services riders desire, and potential opportunities to create a better transit network.

Completion of this effort will help RIPTA to better understand:

  • Who are RIPTA’s current and potential customers?
  • Where do RIPTA riders wish to travel?
  • How is the RIPTA system performing today?
  • How can it improve?
  • Are there changes that can be made within the RIPTA current budget to better serve existing riders and attract new customers?

RIPTA is also conducting a detailed assessment of each of its 58 bus routes and 8 Flex routes to determine which services are working well, and where they might redirect resources to better serve public transit needs.

RIPTA riders can follow this link to review changes that have been suggested for each route, and to share ideas of their own. Routes are being posted as they are ready, so if you don’t see your route, keep checking, all will be up in the next few weeks.

RIPTA will use the results of the survey to make recommendations in early 2013. Potential improvements and actions may include:

  • Reducing the time it takes to travel between key locations.
  • Offering more frequent service on high ridership routes.
  • Improving travel connections.
  • Introducing new transit services to serve key locations.
  • Making services easy to use.

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An economic development call to action

by John Flaherty on October 4, 2012

RIPEC’s report on structural reform of our economic development delivery system offers some suggestions worthy of consideration.  However, with Rhode Island’s unemployment rate still among the nation’s highest, we cannot let the report become a rationale for further delay in implementing an asset based economic development strategy. Targeted investments in our state’s assets are urgently needed and economically feasible, and can not wait the estimated two years until RIPEC’s structural reform proposals are fully implemented.
 
While proposals are being developed and debated to address business climate issues and new organizational designs for economic development, Rhode Island already has six (6) Infrastructure Improvement proposals that are widely vetted and ready to be enacted.  Three of these are bond issues that will be in the hands of Rhode Island’s voters this November 6th- the proposed $ 25 million affordable housing bond (Question 7), the $ 20 million clean water bond (Question 5) and the $ 20 million open space, farmland protection and recreation bond (Question 6). 

We are convinced that if these measures are passed they will generate a high and relatively quick   return on investment in physical improvements to the state’s infrastructure along withthousands of new construction and permanent jobs. We urge our leaders to rally support for these measures now by educating the electorate about the relevance of each proposal for the state’s economic well being. 

Teed up for early action in the 2013 General Assembly are three other important investment focused economic development initiatives.  

  1. A proposal to bring back in modified form the successful State Historic Tax Credit to jumpstart economic development in our urban and town centers.
  2.  The proposal of the Coalition for Transportation Choices to invest more systematically in mass transitto better connect workers with jobs and to save people money on their commute.
  3. A proposal endorsed by the RI League of Cities and Towns, municipal officials and several legislators strengthening municipalities’ ability and incentive to invest in key infrastructure critical for economic development at the local level.

Detailed information about each of these proposals as well as other economic development opportunities for Rhode Island is available in Grow Smart RI’s 2012 Briefing Book for Candidates and Voters at www.growsmartri.com.  The 21-page book makes the case for an asset based economic development strategy to expand the state’s economic development focus beyond austerity measures that only avert disaster rather than ensure a stronger future.

Echoing the call of the Rhode Island Foundation, Grow Smart RI asserts that it’s time in Rhode Island to make things happen economically. There are plenty of good ideas and tools already developed to boost our economic performance.  While we evaluate the RIPEC report’s recommendations, let’s push forward with those ideas so that we can begin immediately to build the new economic momentum we desperately need, and that Grow Smart believes is well within our grasp.

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Consider the real benefits of slowing down your hectic mornings with a walk to school

by Coalition for Transportation Choices on September 16, 2012

This post is republished from the Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC). The CTC calls for a 21st century transportation system that enhances our economy and provides all Rhode Islanders with healthy transportation choices. Grow Smart RI is a member of the Coalition.

Walk to SchoolSchool has started and mornings are once again more rushed. It’s probably hard to imagine fitting anything else into your hectic schedule.

You read something online or in the newspaper, or hear something on the radio encouraging parents and students to walk to school and your first thought is “Get real!”

But International Walk to School Day on Oct. 3 is a good opportunity to take a look at the real benefits to your health, your finances and your quality of life that walking to school can provide. It might cause you to think again revving up those feet!

Better health. All of us need exercise for health. Especially our children. The U.S. Department of Health says that children need 90 minutes per day of moderate exercise and adults need 20 minutes. Studies show a correlation between exercise and mood and exercise and positive learning. A moderate walk to school can fulfill some of the recommended Department of Health daily exercise for parents and students — and without a trip to the gym, special clothes, or much extra time.

More time with your kids. Investing a little time for future health also provides a chance to talk to kids on the way to school, to enjoy out-doors, and to do something good for the environment. In some communities parents form cooperative “Walking School-buses” to share the responsibility of a healthy walk to school.

Less spending. Back-to-School sales did not reduce the price of gasoline. Walking to school requires no gas.

Although it might not seem like it when we’re rushing around to get things done in the morning, for many people walking to school can be a real choice, with real benefits.

Thanks to all the families, communities, and government programs that promote good health through walking. Let’s use muscles and brains to get ahead on personal and environmental health.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation and Statewide Planning in Department of Administration have been awarded “Safe Routes to School” federal funding to municipal applicants to improve safety for students walking and bicycling to school. International Walk to School is the non-profit arm of Safe Routes to School and provides ideas for schools to encourage walking.

Download a printable .pdf of the poster.

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Grow Smart stands behind leadership of RIPTA CEO

by Scott Wolf on September 14, 2012

Grow Smart Rhode Island announced today that it stands by the leadership of Charles Odimgbe as CEO of RIPTA.

Based on what we know from numerous reports to date and what we have observed, we have confidence in his ability to continue leading the transit agency in the right direction. Mr. Odimgbe was hired in November 2010 to perform the very challenging job of reforming and strengthening the agency, while it wrestles with declining gas tax revenues and increased demand for service. We recognize that in doing so, he has had to make difficult decisions, but we believe the agency is stronger as a result and we would like to see the progress continue. Grow Smart is a diverse coalition of community stakeholders representing key elements of the business, academic, environmental, agricultural, development and labor sectors who recognize how important an effective mass transit system is to Rhode Island’s economy, environment, and the everyday lives of so many people.

Across the nation numerous transit agencies that rely heavily on gas tax proceeds are facing budget crises similar to that of RIPTA. That’s why we are working hard to influence a new, sustainable mechanism to fund a lean and efficient mass transit system that so many Rhode Islanders depend on. We hope that the review of RIPTA now underway will be swift and that any necessary changes to improve and strengthen the agency will be implemented quickly.

Scott Wolf
Executive Director
Grow Smart Rhode Island

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An Ohio project shows one way to get to get to Complete Streets

by Coalition for Transportation Choices on August 30, 2012

This post is republished from the Coalition for Transportation Choices (CTC). The CTC calls for a 21st century transportation system that enhances our economy and provides all Rhode Islanders with healthy transportation choices. Grow Smart RI is a member of the Coalition.

At its regular public forum in June, Rhode Island Women in Transportation discussed how a city in Ohio is using Context Sensitive Solutions design principles to build Complete Streets that encourage and allow for safe use by pedestrians, cyclists, businesses as well as cars.

CTC is a proponent of Complete Streets (you can read about some of our work here and here). So far, eight Rhode Island cities and towns have passed Complete Streets resolutions, and an equal number are considering resolutions. We supported legislation that passed the General Assembly in 2012, which requires the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RI DOT) to report annually on progress in implementing Complete Street design. The CTC will be monitoring the implementation of the new Complete Streets law, as well as, watching for the annual reports from RI DOT.

Context sensitive solutions (CSS) is a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach that involves all stakeholders in providing a transportation facility that fits its setting. It is an approach that leads to preserving and enhancing scenic, aesthetic, historic, community, and environmental resources, while improving or maintaining safety, mobility, and infrastructure conditions.

For instance, if a state highway that passes through a downtown main street, applying CSS principles would entail creating a street where the movement of vehicles does not impede pedestrian activity and sidewalk commerce, rather than a street that is simply widened and straightened to increase speed, capacity and mobility for vehicles as a singular transportation objective.

Speakers at the June forum included Barbara Breslin from the local office of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA),
Luisa Paiewonsky of Mass DOT, and Bob Smith of RI DOT.

Those in attendance heard representatives from Cleveland describe a project in that city – the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project – that is utilizing Context Sensitive Solutions to create Complete Streets that link a university medical center with downtown and a recreation sector, while creating two bus lanes and two auto lanes for more than 9 miles with ample landscaping and public art.

You can read more about the Euclid Corridor Transportation Project here and here:

Want to find out more about CSS?

You can watch a Web Cast of workshops on Complete Streets and Context Sensitive Design from the Illinois Department of Transportation on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 1:00 to 5:00 EDT.

This will be the first in a series of CSS National Dialog 2 Workshops will include an up-to-date overview of Context Sensitive Solutions plus presentations on exemplary CSS projects, plans and programs from the surrounding region. The case studies were drawn from submissions received from across the country, and were selected as examples of effective application of CSS principles to regional transportation projects, plans and programs.

For more information on the National Dialog visit: cssnationaldialog.org or e-mail cssnationaldialog@ncsu.edu. For information about CSS, you can got to contextsensitivesolutions.org.

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Five elected to Grow Smart Board

by GrowSmartRI on August 21, 2012

At its May Annual Meeting, five new members were elected to serve on the Grow Smart RI Board of Directors.

Founded in 1998 to engage with elected leaders to think and act more strategically about identifying, nurturing and capitalizing on Rhode Island’s many strengths, Grow Smart is a diverse alliance of business and civic leaders who are passionate about Rhode Island’s future.

New Board members elected to serve a 3-year term include:

Board of DirectorsWilliam Ashworth, PE, Rhode Island Office Manager/Principal at Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Bill oversees the operations of a team of transportation, land development and environmental professionals. He has played an important role in helping to solve transportation challenges in many significant state, municipal, institutional and private development projects in Rhode Island.

John A. Chambers, PG, LSP, Vice President/Principal, Fuss & O’Neill, Inc. John directs Fuss & O’Neill’s Brownfield and Urban Redevelopment team in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He has completed a wide range of environmental remediation, water resource planning and development and site redevelopment projects and is a recognized leader in environmental justice regulation and policy.

David Cunningham, Vice President, Commercial Real Estate, BankRI. David has over 20 years of experience in commercial banking, real estate financing, underwriting and portfolio management of residential, commercial and mixed-use properties. His background also includes project management for a real estate development company in Providence.

Gail E. McCann, Esq., Edwards Wildman, Palmer, LLP. Gail has served as the chair of the Firm’s Real Estate Department and has particular knowledge in a wide variety of construction and project financing, including affordable housing, apartments, hotels, mixed-use, office and industrial space. Her experience includes finance transactions and projects involving historic tax credits, new markets tax credits and low income housing tax credits.

Barbara van Beuren, Managing Partner, Anbau Enterprises. Barbara, a trained architect, specializes in the development and construction of residential properties and oversees design, marketing and sales as well as acquisitions. She also oversees her family’s charitable foundation which focuses on land conservation, community planning and historic preservation throughout Rhode Island.

Grow Smart RI Board Chair, Howard Kilguss, thanked the newest leaders for joining the Board and recognized their wealth of talent and generosity of spirit, adding that “Grow Smart’s success in recruiting so many dynamic and engaged leaders is a testament to the urgency of the work before us and the enduring hope and confidence that Rhode Island can leverage its vast untapped potential.”

He also recognized and thanked two Board members whose terms expired in May, Steve Durkee, Principal at Cornish Associates and Akhil Gupta, Vice President of the Providence Campus at Johnson and Wales.

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