Committee on Five Hands Regular Meeting – February 17, 2026
Committee on Five Hands Regular Meeting – February 17, 2026
The Committee on Five Hands met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to consider two resolutions authorizing the sale of city-owned properties. The administration presented both items as routine sales following the city charter's requirements for public bidding, and the committee voted unanimously to approve both resolutions, forwarding them to the full council.
Discussion Items
Item 1 – Resolution Authorizing Sale of City-Owned Parcels (Master Street Properties)
- Courtney Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer, and Nicholas Chipotelli, Director of Real Estate, testified that the bundle of Master Street properties had been through the Board of Contract and Supply for RFP approval. The highest responsible bidder was selected at $1.5 million, with plans for approximately 50 units of new housing, 20 units offered at 80% Area Median Income (AMI), and a historic renovation of the 1876 school building. The appraised value for all properties combined was $180,000 (the building had negative value). Three bids were received; all bidders included affordable housing commitments.
- Councilwoman Andebor asked about the process for determining a responsive bidder and why the sale was not done through the Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA). Hawkins explained that the property is outside a redevelopment area and that the charter requires sale at no less than 90% of appraised value to the highest responsible bidder.
- Councilman Taylor expressed support for the project, noting the property had been a nuisance and praising the developer's plans.
- Council President noted the property sits on the edge of Wards 8 and 15 and shared excitement about the future, while committing to facilitate a community discussion on historical preservation.
- Councilwoman Andebor also commended the proposal and the developer's track record.
Item 2 – Resolution Authorizing Contract Award (Former Fire Station at 155 Humble Avenue)
- Administration testified that the property was put out for bid through the Board of Contract and Supply (not in a redevelopment area). Six bids were received; the highest bidder, Richard Gavaran Mark Alvark (Providence Redevelopment Agency), bid $1,150,000. The proposal includes three residential units with a garage and historic renovation. The second-highest bidder was Montessori Children's House at $1,100,000. All bidders met the minimum responsive threshold, so the award went to the highest bidder per charter.
- Councilwoman Davis Hendry (Ward 2) provided extensive testimony noting that she was not sworn in until December 17, 2025, after the RFP process had begun, so she had no opportunity to weigh in. She highlighted the Montessori Children's House proposal, which would have expanded early childhood education and provided public gathering space, supported by a petition of 312 signatures. She acknowledged the charter constraints but urged consideration of community needs.
- Councilman Taylor argued that the charter requires the highest bidder, and deviating from that would set a precedent for favoritism. He expressed sympathy for Montessori but stated the committee's hands are tied.
- Councilwoman Andebor asked about recourse if the winning bidder fails to meet historic preservation commitments. The solicitor noted that the purchase and sale agreement would include covenants recorded in public records, and the city could reclaim the property if terms are not met.
- Councilwoman Andebor also questioned the level of detail in the winning proposal, particularly regarding unit sizes. The administration explained that zoning dictates the number of units and parking, and that the proposal must meet zoning standards during the permitting process.
- The city solicitor confirmed that the RFP and bidding process complied with the charter and that the committee was obligated to follow it.
Key Outcomes
- Item 1 – Approved: Motion by Councilman Taylor, second by Councilwoman Andebor. All in favor (voice vote). Resolution will go to the full council.
- Item 2 – Approved: Motion by Councilman Taylor, second by Councilwoman Andebor. All in favor (voice vote). Resolution will go to the full council.
- Both sales will generate revenue for the city’s capital fund (not general fund), and both properties will return to the tax rolls after renovation.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the committee on five hands regular meeting. It is Tuesday, February 172026. And we are staffed by the wonderful Eti solicitor Schwab. We've got a full house. Okay, please read the first item into the record. Resolution authorizing the sale of city owned parcels, AC Messing. Okay, who do we have to testify? Please wear everyone else. Please raise your right hands. We are under penalty of perjury that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And please state your names for the record. Courtney Hawkins, Chief Operating Officer. Nicholas Chipotelli, director who's the channel. So maybe you're in the public property. Wonderful. And they provided a um proposal to this package. Um I'd like to make a motion or accept a motion to enter this exhibit into the record exhibit uh 1A, we will call it. Motion made by Council One and the Boss Second Right, Councilman Taylor. All in favor, aye. Any closed ayes have it motion carrying? We have an exhibit entry. Okay. Please take it away. Thanks, Chairman. So we're here tonight on two purchasing matters, both happen to be a city property. I just want to take a minute to thank Nick Chick and Tommy or Director of Real Estate. I think our administration is moving more city property to market than maybe in the industry. Um it's a lot of work. Um so thank you now. The two uh for both of these properties that are reported today, they both went through the Board of Contracted Supply, uh, which approved the RFPs that were excuse me to you intend to talk about these two together. I'm not just gonna give the RPG. I was just gonna change the motion if that was your desire. Okay. So they went through Board of Contracted Supply for approval of the RFP. Um, and then we're opened in that uh same meeting uh with the response of bidders. So as it relates to uh master street properties, it's actually a bundle of properties um that uh was put out together. Just for a general background, the city charter is very specific as it relates to the sale of properties, which is why sometimes we transfer properties to the PRA because the redevelopment authority has a little bit more flexibility. Um but as it relates to a property going from the city, um the pro we cannot take less than 90% of the appraised value. Um, and then we have to take the highest responsible bidder. Um and the RFP lays out what a responsible bidder is. So in the case of this property, the proposal before you is that it is the highest responsible bidder uh valued at 1.5 million dollars a bid. Um it provides for approximately 50 units of new housing, um, 20 units offered at 80 percent AMI, um, and then you know, make some commitments to pursuing additional affordability based on um availability subsidy through word island has anything with all to that um three bids select the highest bird, each of the bidders have all that affordable housing to it, and um they will be responsive to allow us to go to the uh section 416 of the charter, which always no less than 90 percent of the accredited volume to the highest bidder. Anyone else? Mr. Wishing, do you want to say anything? I'm good. You're good? Okay, does anyone want to talk just briefly about the proposal? What the plan is? Yes, so the proposal has the historical school order from 1876, I believe.
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