ADVOCACY

Commercial Space in Providence:  A Diminishing Reality

High commercial tax rates, five mill redevelopments since 2004 displacing over 100 businesses, sq ft costs shifting from an average $2-6 before redevelopment to over $20 after development:  contributions to a grim reality towards the preservation of creative and industrial businesses and jobs in the city of Providence.  PCIS writes about it here and suggests updated policy initiatives to change this ever evolving issue.

The West Side Arts District - Tax Exemption Act 2005

PASSED!  In 2005, PCIS worked with legislators to introduce the West Side Arts District Tax Exemption Act and lobbied its passage into law.  Introduced by House Finance Chair Steve Costantino and Representative Peter Lewiss on the House Side and Senator Frank Caprio and others on the Senate Side, this bill creates a Artist Tax Free District in the the Valley, Olneyville and West Broadway neighborhoods.

The passage of this bill provides economic incentives for artists that rent or purchase space in these areas (offsetting the increased cost of these areas due to redevelopment), and encourage artist groups to obtain ownership of some of these buildings. It is also an important step towards keeping the existing artists as a part of the community in this economic development zone.

This  Artist Tax Exemption provides relief from Sales & Use Tax, and State Income Tax for artists who are living and working in the district, which includes many of the mills, in the Valley, Olneyville and West Broadway neighborhoods. It is modeled after similar districts in cities throughout Rhode Island as well as the Providence DownCity district and requires certification by The RI State Council on The Arts (RISCA) for artist eligibility.

See the map here.

For more information on the benefits of this bill, click here.

Visit the RISCA website for information on the artist tax exemption or contact us with any questions. 

obs in the city of Providence.  PCIS writes about it here and suggests updated policy initiatives to change this ever evolving issue.

The Policy Recommendations

Currently, the City of Providence has an automatic live/work variance on mill buildings listed in the Industrial Commercial Buildings District (ICBD). Coupled with eligibility for State Historic Tax Credits and a real estate tax abatement program provided by the Urban Mill Initiative, these incentives have spurned the rapid development of these properties into residential condos. We are currently watching this happen at alarming speed due to the housing demand in Providence. As much as this is good for city revenue and the preservation of our historic mills, we are currently displacing the industrial and creative sector of Providence.

Based on our research and discussions with various groups within the development, arts and business communities, PCIS has moved forward in working with the City of Providence's Department of Planning and presenting policy recommendations that will sustain creative and industrial commercial space in Providence, encourage responsible development of these spaces, and integrate community accountability.

A condensed version of these recommendations are available in a downloadable pdf format here: