Good evening, everyone that would like to call the special commission on health opportunity, prosperity, and educationalness for Monday in the eleventh role.

Chairman 14.

Just for us to also call attention, but also know and find out what's going to take place for the FIFA World Cup coming to Providence in about a month.

So it's already here.

As I saw as I walked down Waterplace Park.

So with that said, Madam Clerk, would you like to uh read the first item?

First item of discussion relative to the FIFA World Cup preparations.

The following have been invited.

Allie Bar Barry, Ryan Riley, Alexis Goryen.

Courtney Wilkins and Lieutenant Potter.

Welcome to everyone here.

Excellent.

And also we have final comment if there's anybody also that would like to uh make any comments.

I'd also like to recognize uh councilwoman Jill Davison.

So joining us.

And uh obviously our team uh thank you.

Uh so uh why don't we start off with uh who would like to start?

Courtney.

Uh I see that also I also see Joe Wilson who's the director of ACT.

Make sure that he's on the record that uh he is present with us.

So no doubt.

Um so Courtney ACT team can start and then um we can back up and speak.

Okay, there we go.

You're up uh in the front, please.

Okay, we're gonna actually think we have the lawyer uh law department, please.

Yes, let me just thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

All right, the plan.

Thank you, Allie.

Uh the record, whatever you're ready.

Thank you so much to the committee for allowing us to uh present today, uh tonight, on um uh our plans for what is the largest sporting event on the planet, uh, and that is FIFA World Cup.

Again, my name is Joe Wilson Jr.

I am the director of the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism in my department, along with the Province Tourism Council working together to produce what will be as we are titling this one city every match.

Uh we are producing an officially sanctioned FIFA fan zone uh starting June 11th and going until July 19th in Station Park.

Again, Station Park, as you all know, is the park that's adjacent to both uh it's a uh it's right on Water Place Park and is surrounded by the Province Place Mall, uh the state capital and the train station.

What I would say to start is that to be a host city uh and being able to uh get the um FIFA designation to be able to uh produce this event is a big deal.

Uh we are one of a few cities that are not actual host cities uh being given uh this FIFA fan designation.

Um this is gonna be a 39-day watch party uh that will include, of course, the star of the show is the giant jumbotron, which will sit uh at the corner of Gaspi and Exchange.

And Francis, sorry.

Um, and so that uh screen will be playing every day.

Um we are uh tiering the games, what games we show based upon looking at local interests.

Uh we also have many teams uh that have a particular interest in this region, whether it be uh team Ghana, who is being hosted here in Providence, uh whether that be the House of Portugal, uh uh which is uh gonna be in Water Place Park, the skyline um uh building.

Uh but in addition, there are other fan bases that will be present in Providence, including the Charton Army, which is a group of about 7,000 uh folk who are both local and from Scotland will be here in the city of Providence.

Um and once we were granted this designation by FIFA, uh we have been reached out by several delegations, including Canada and Germany about being present uh and included on the fan zone.

Not only this fan zone be a place to watch the games, but there will be um a beverage service, both non-alcoholic alcoholic drinks on the footprint.

We are lucky that we are being sponsored all by FIFA sponsors in this beverage area.

This this footprint will also include a gamification activities for fans to be able to not only watch the games but to kick a ball around.

This fan zone will also include some activation in terms of local talent on the stage, because this is not only a screen, it'll be a stage as well.

And this footprint will include a marketplace.com.

And on that fan zone, we put out a call for vendors, we put out a call for uh folks who wanted to be involved in the marketplace.

We put out a call for uh those who want to work with us as far as employment over the course of uh these 39 days, and we're also collaborating with uh United Way of Rhode Island to help mobilize volunteers, um, and that'll be soon added to our website so folks can sign up and be a volunteer uh for uh the fan zone.

So this will be the center of fan uh activity outside of uh what's happening at Gillette Stadium.

The most important thing that we'll be doing, apart from watching the games and feeding people and getting people a refreshing beverage and providing gamification, is that there will be player activations as well at House of Fortunat per week.

Uh they'll be bringing in um Portuguese Federation stars in that in that activation.

But one of the most important things I learned recently about uh what we're doing is that we'll be one of the few places between here and Gillette Stadium that you're actually able to purchase FIFA sanctioned jerseys from all the teams who are participating in the World Cup.

Uh we'll have several activations of the footprint that will allow for those kinds of sales, and so it really is going to be a destination.

Um, not to mention we are obviously this is a busy busy time of year in the City of Providence.

Um we'll be playing host to three signature festivals during that time.

Four, really.

When you think about June 20th, it's the 50th anniversary of Pride.

Uh June 21st is Juneteenth.

Uh, we'll be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of our country on July 4th and 5th, culminating with our fireworks celebration at India Point Park.

Um, and we also are partnering with another cultural festival on the 5th of July to celebrate their Independence Day as well.

So it'll be a very busy time uh in the City of Providence.

Um, not to mention, obviously, our immediate footprint is in Station Park, but we're really thinking about how we can activate the entire downtown area from Kennedy Plaza all the way to Station Park.

And so we're also collaborating with Track 15.

Uh, they're doing uh several uh um uh activations which will center uh the Ghanaian community, including a watch party when Ghana Ghana plays England on the 23rd of June.

Uh so that's also if you you know do your calendar, that's also that's also right after the weekend of Juneteenth in Pride.

Uh so that'll be uh really five days of act of dense activation downtown.

And of course, water fire will play an important part with one major lighting on the 4th of July, but there will be additional basin lightings during that time as well.

One in cell there'll be a basin lighting uh in celebration of the English and the um Ghanaian delegation being in town, and there's also a Juneteenth fire uh that will be over by uh RISD and the Memorial Park area.

Um so there's gonna be a lot going on.

We're really proud to be a city of our size, chosen to be able to host these games.

I think part of what is so far made us successful in what we, in my opinion of what we've been doing, is that we are we often like to say and and feel a certain kind of way about being the smallest state in the union, but actually our size has been an asset in this process.

We we've been able to be nimble, to be responsive, we all know each other.

Uh we were able to pick up the phone, um, really understand what our resources and capacity are, and so there really has been um a wonderful collaborative spirit among our city and our state partners as well as other cities across the region.

So just want to shout out and be thankful first of all to Boston FIFA and their leadership in securing the games at Boston Stadium in parentheses to see Gillette Stadium.

Um, and also want to uh give a shout out to our state partners uh in our iCommerce in the summer of soccer for all of the support that they have been giving our city and other cities uh in the state to make sure that we put our best foot forward uh as we welcome the world uh to this region and more importantly uh to the creative capital in 30 days.

Sorry.

There's literally a countdown calendar on our website, and every time I look at it, it gives me a little bit of osta.

But we're excited, and it's gonna be a really great time for our city.

This day's gone already, so 29 minutes.

Yeah, right.

Thank you for that overview.

Um questions for them.

Um presentation or um, I just have a couple questions, like new director uh team.

Is uh is there a cost either to us or uh to FIFA for being a designated uh fan zone?

Is that what was that what it's called?

Yes.

Um like is this like you do we have to pay FIFA or is FIFA paying us as one of asking for that?

There's no cost process, but it was a grueling process.

Cool.

Um that's really the only question I thought.

Matt, yes, uh that they are supporting or subsidizing the additional public safety and other resource costs that providence will accrue.

So the public safety, um, there was a federal appropriate.

And can you speak up because uh the microphone at times doesn't pick up the audio as well when people are watching I already complaints from constituents that uh when they watch the meetings?

So you can just pick up more.

Sure.

On public safety, there was a federal appropriation made to Boston, and Providence is really benefit from that, so we're gonna get some of that to cover public safety costs.

Um, the Rascal Fund race for through sponsorships that Joe mentioned, there's been some um funding provided through um Summer of Soccer, um, and you know, there will be revenue generated in the fan zone through sales of food and drinks and other things.

Um, for the questions uh Consulwar Davison Not right now, although eventually it would be nice to sort of see a breakdown of that, how much we're getting, how much we need to fundraise, just so we have it set to how that money's gonna flow.

Yeah.

Sure.

Consulin Sanchez.

How many people can station park safely accommodate 15,000?

15,000.

But we are working very closely with our public safety team uh to be mindful of uh the capacity in that park.

Um we've done an extensive work with our city service team.

The great thing about us uh as a department produce as producers is that we also permit every special event in the city of Providence, and so we have a wonderful relationship with our uh city service team, uh, and we have been vetting this for months even before we received a FIFA designation and making sure that this event uh can be safe and will be safe.

Uh so in terms of um of the footprint uh attendance, our public safety uh or our security details at each of the entrances will be keeping a close count on that capacity to make sure uh that we're not in any way jeopardizing those who come to the fan zone.

Um I'll have some questions later on, but uh uh like to hear the whole presentation and then I'll uh chime in.

Any anyway.

I would love to allow Alexis Orieron, who is the executive director of the Providence Tourism Council, to also say a few words.

We um my department and the PTC, we really operate lockstep in everything that we do.

Um, you know, we provide grants uh to small 501c3s.

We also uh produce signature events here in the city of Providence, and so it is an honor to be able to work with them.

Um, and um, and together we um are pulling this all together.

So Alexis.

Yes, no, thank you.

Yeah, we uh, you know, a couple of highlights that I just want to mention.

Uh you know, you all received uh a copy of the kind of work in progress schedule of events, you know.

I think it's uh noteworthy to just comment on that a little bit because we'll continue to build this as we go.

Uh but you'll see some of the highlights not only of what's happening at Station Park, but as Joe kind of mentioned, many of the things that are happening throughout the city.

So all this information will be continue to be populated at the website at PvDfanzone.com.

So for all the residents and visitors coming into town, we really want to drive everyone to that website that's gonna be the main source of information.

And not only will it have the schedule, the calendar, the entertainment, things that are happening throughout the city, uh, but then also even for now, uh, you know, we're getting a lot of questions of how people can be involved.

And so we do have a page dedicated on the website where people can be part of our marketplace.

Uh, we're working a lot of different food purveyors to be a part.

There's an opportunity for entertainment.

So uh, you know, that's the number one question we're kind of getting out there.

There's a lot of excitement building throughout the city and throughout the state as we welcome soccer fans from around the world to Providence.

And so that's really kind of the number one thing that everyone out there is asking, like how they can be a part.

Uh so encourage everyone to go to PBDFanzone.com for that.

You can also follow us on our Instagram channels and our social media channels at Providence Tourism and also at Providence ACT.

Those channels will be your primary areas for information.

And we'll continue to share things out there.

There's also a whole communication strategy on PBD 311 to all of our residents, but we're encouraging people, even if they're visiting into town to sign up, but obviously encouraging all of our city residents to sign up to stay in communication with all of that.

The other thing I wanted to highlight because I think this is a key differentiator for us as official designated FIFA World Cup fan zone in the surrounding areas.

Joe mentioned our footprint is really kind of throughout the downtown area through Water Place Park, but House of Portugal will also be located at Water Place Park.

And to me, that's a really exciting opportunity for not only a immersion of the history of soccer for the country of Portugal, but they're going to be bringing in a cultural infusion of entertainment and food and their history, not only as a soccer team, but through their culture.

So that's really kind of a I think a really unique differentiator from what you're seeing in other programs in the area.

So just wanted to highlight some of those opportunities that residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy and experience here in the city.

Great, thank you.

I want to welcome also Councilwoman Shelly Peterson, Vice Chair Woman.

So no, it is so a quorum is now established.

And we do have quarter.

Within the half hour.

Family seats.

So if we needed to vote on something, we could.

This is not up for any vote.

It's more of an update on the big world events that we're going to be daily in about 29 days.

Anyone else would like to uh any questions directly?

Consul and Sanchez.

Anyone there?

Consumman?

Any questions?

Alright.

Anyone else?

Yes, I would love to uh to give and cede the space to uh Ali and Ray.

Um they have been working tirelessly with our city service team to make sure that uh you know we permit we go through a permitting process as well, even though we're the city throwing an event, and so they've been working on uh the operation security plan um for months and would certainly love for them to talk a little bit about that process of what we go through as a city.

We do this every year with PBD Fest as well.

Uh we bet ourselves and we work really closely with Belize Fire PEMA licensing, uh everyone to make sure that uh number one that we want it to be a fun event, but our most important priority is that it is a safe event.

So if Allie can speak a little bit about the permitting process, uh, because it's also obviously been a process um we're not on land that we own as a city, and so we've also been working closely with the state uh to secure the necessary um permissions that we needed to be able to uh procure that space.

So I would love for Allie and we just speak.

Sure.

Um, so we're going through two permitting processes.

Hi everyone, and we just finished uh our permitting process with the state.

That's through um the DCAM department, so they manage um the space at Station Park, and uh for I think since December, we've been meeting with them monthly or bi-monthly to make sure that we're thinking of all of the different areas that we have to uh regarding Station Park, one being that we can't have vehicles on the property, so everything is being craned into the site.

Um, additionally, the train runs underneath, so all capacity limits and weight restrictions, those are things that we've been uh working through along the way, and like Joe mentioned, um we're sitting here, but also there are so many city department team members that have thought this through with us, and so really grateful to Senator Potter, Sophia for being here.

We've all been in the mix on everything from contracts to the vetting of public safety um plans with the experts that um guide us to make those uh you know decisions.

So this year we are collaborating with Northeastern Security, they'll be on site for um 37 days, so they will have security there 24-7, and depending on the anticipated capacity that we'll have for you know the games that are playing that day based on local demographics and then those we anticipate traveling in.

We've created um three tiers of a security plan with them, so a low activation day, medium and high, and so um our goal really is in the first two weeks to see what works, and our team is really good at problem solving and um you know adjusting based on what we need to.

So while we have that plan and that tentative schedule, we're ready to make the changes along the way.

But um part of that is things like meridian barriers, um, these areas that make sure that everyone's safe who's coming to visit.

So um that plan has been worked through uh many times, and we continue to get it closer to perfection.

Um and then similarly, we're going through the city service process, which is the city of Providence's permitting process, and like Joe mentioned, Ray and I um work with that same team on permitting large festivals and birthday parties and everything in between in the city, and so we are also vetting ourselves through that process to make sure that all licensing that we need to have through the city um and that we are uh you know ready with all teams understanding like what we're coming into this summer.

So just really grateful for Department of Public Works, um, parts department, province emergency management, fire, police, um, board of license, everyone who's really been meeting with us weekly to go over all of these details and catch the areas we're not thinking about.

Um so wanted to name that the four of us are here, but there's a very large team involved that we're grateful for.

I don't know if you want to add anything to that too.

Oh, yeah, we're gonna be working with local artists, um DJs.

Um we're re bringing them in through the city.

Um just different activations that will be happening, trying to keep it as local as possible province.

Yeah.

Um questions?

Consulwoman Peters.

Thank you.

Um I apologize again for being late.

Um, like I said, family applications.

Um my question is surrounding you had mentioned security, and forgive me if you said how many people you're expecting to be here in this time.

Would you be able to tell me um how many people for attendees or for the security team?

Um attendees and then a follow-up question of the security.

Sure.

So much of this, and of course, and you understand this councilman is uh is unknown.

Yeah.

Uh the footprint has a maximum capacity of 15,000.

Okay.

But we expect that to range uh to to have wild swings um from day to day, which is why we're really, as Ali said, built on a plan that allows us to be as responsible as as responsive, I should say, as possible.

Um we do have a capacity of 15,000.

There'll be some days where there are a thousand, there'll be some days maybe that there are 500.

Um obviously we would uh love for that number to be as high as possible because part of how we you know we want to be able to maximize our capacity to earn revenue uh on this.

Not to mention we want we want to see a nice we want people to be in our city and enjoying our city and be outside in our city.

Um and and and and not it's not just about the fan zone, it's about what this will do for all of our you know, small businesses uh here, uh not only in downtown, but you know, throughout the city.

So we want as many people out there as possible.

Um but again, we know that there's gonna be a wild fluctuation.

There are things that we're doing that are building in also different capacities.

For example, you know, one of our fan um uh groups will be, for example, taking their buses from the fan zone to go to Gillette Stadium, which you know, so they'll be spending three hours before the match there and then hopping on buses to go.

We work with them to help facilitate that process.

Um, and again, you know, how support you will be a draw for the Portuguese community in the area, those days when there's a when Kate Bird is playing, you know, there may be a flux on the footprint, and we're also working with other um federations to do these things called fan zone takeover days, which means, for example, uh there's one day when the Ghanaian uh it will be gonna stay at the fan zone because the day that we uh can't Canada will be taking over the fan zone as well as the Scottish well, it's the British uh consulate.

Um they will have a Scottish day uh at the fan zone.

So it will flux, um, but we're hoping for maximum participation each day.

Thank you.

Um, so in terms of security for the area, I know that you're teaming up with uh um with a security company to be able to do all of that.

Are we having any sort of what is the projection in terms of police that we're gonna be having in the area and how is that kind of projecting out into the city?

Yeah, for the good question.

Again, we've got to speak our slides uh yes, please.

So uh I like to say we're we're used to hosting these large scale events to the case.

We should say I'm Lieutenant Patrick Potom the downtown district commander.

So I'll be putting the uh scheduling the operations plan for the police department for this event.

Um I like to say we like we host these large scale events all the time, we just host them 39 days in a row.

So I built a scalable um layered plan that takes into consideration traffic control, pedestrian crossing, entry points for NES security with who we work pretty closely with for PVD and Pride and other events, so we have a good relationship, and then overall just some of the security threats that a mass gathering brings.

Um I'm taking all those into consideration, and I'm forecasting on high days, you could see upwards of 20 to 24 police officers uniform uh presence but again it's it's scalable.

So I'm really using the 11th through the 14th, those are the first four days, opening ceremony to the 14th, to be a good driver of building that schedule after that.

Okay, okay, great.

Um I pass out.

Thank you.

Uh I appreciate it.

Okay, so then um, so then there really isn't going to be too much of a change in terms of what like if you're bringing on you're not bringing in extra overtime for police officers outside of this particular area, there's no need for it kind of thing.

Is it I mean it's kind of day-to-day you're gonna be able to make that that number that I was discussing, the 20 to 24, those are extra on top of police officers that are already out in the city.

I mean, I put you in.

It's it's a it's a large math gathering in the middle of the city.

So this is particular for that site, um, separate and aside from the offices that are out on the patrol.

Okay.

Um, and then my next question is actually with regards to DPW, and I'm not sure if there's anybody here that may be able to assist me with the question, but um as I'm sure you guys all are doing, this is such a great opportunity for us to highlight our city and show people what Providence is about.

And um, I take that opportunity very seriously.

I agree with you, this is an opportunity for us to generate money, revenue, which we desperately need in the city.

Um, and I kind of wanted to understand what the DPW flow was gonna be like.

Who's like are we gonna have consistent people downtown and not just maybe up downtown, but also kind of in the peripherals.

We we're assuming that um all of our neighborhoods will have an opportunity to partake in extra, you know, fans coming in to all the different neighborhoods as part of what makes us Providence.

Um so I kind of wanted to understand what that was gonna look like for the rest of the neighborhoods, not just the fan zone area that we're kind of solidifying here.

So is the question what are the opportunities for what are we doing?

Is DPW going to be projecting out more of a series of like cleanup daily, um upkeep daily, upkeep in general as we're preparing for this to come out?

Like there's you know, we have some crosswalks that could be repainted, things like that, things of that nature that allow us to highlight our city that much more.

Um I look at this as a as you clean up and you go you go to you go to church on Sunday and you go and you dress to the nines, right?

I think that this is a perfect opportunity for us to really highlight how beautiful, how clean, and how um how great our city is.

And so I'm looking at like the before the middle and the after plan because um I think that's also really important.

We have a we have a chance to show off, and I think it's we should be doing that.

So kind of wanted to know what all that would look like.

Well, what I can say is that we obviously we can't do this alone, and Ali spoke to a much larger team, even when you look at our city service team, it's a much more expanding team, but every department in the city of Providence has been mobilized around trying to put our best foot forward as it relates to what will be uh potentially an additional million to a million and a half people between here and Boston.

Um, and so we are hyper aware that we will be under a national international spotlight, um, and whether it be for the fan zone or whether it be for the city at large, uh, everyone is on higher order to make sure that you know we indeed uh put our best before.

I mean, even when you think about some of the events that we do, um kind of a funny anecdotal thing.

When we do a parade for PvD fest, you know, we make sure that that parade route is that we you know fill holes and that there's no cracks that people can fall when they're you know um traversing the streets, and so there really is an attention to that that kind of detail when we do even the simplest of parades with PvD fest.

Um and so obviously that kind of attention is going uh into this effort, and even speaking um as far as security is concerned, that this is not just a Providence thing or a Boston thing, this is a regional thing.

You know, even when these teams, these teams will be, for example, a team may play one game at Gillette Stadium, and they're staying in one city, but they could be playing their other two games in two different cities.

And so the coordination between our our cities, uh, city uh safety teams and the coordination between our city internal teams are what they always are.

Uh we're anticipating having a big event, and we want to make sure that again we put the best foot our best foot forward.

Another example is when Ghana comes into child.

Um they're uh coming, and I won't get into the details of that because I think it's a security issue.

Of course, there'll be a way that folks can help welcome that team into town.

But if we're thinking about even the routes that they'll take into the city, um obviously we'll make sure that uh those routes are ready to receive uh the team and and and importantly, ready to receive all the visitors that are in the city.

Parks always always do a great job.

Our DPW team, um, and we're working you know, I think about the DPW team in partnership with the Yellow Jackets downtown.

That we we do this, we do this.

This is what we do.

Um, and so I'm confident that we'll um the city will shine.

Alan, do you have something awful?

Yeah, I think um to add to Joe's point, um, we meet with departments weekly to bi-weekly, depending on the department, and so tomorrow morning is our next check-in with DPW, and um I think that's um something that we were saying before, like really relying on the expertise of those who know it best.

You can connect with their team to better understand what it looks like, and maybe come back with some more information.

But um, in terms of the sanitation plan for the fan zone, it's getting to be airtight, which is really exciting, and then it allows us to start thinking about the kind of next step of to your point the neighborhoods and community that's going to be here, was here before the fan zone and will be here after.

So we can definitely continue to connect with Brendan, Sal, and me and figure out what that looks like, and um yeah, keep it in mind.

I'm excited, and I think you guys for all of the work that you've put in here.

I think my one final ask um, because I'm really to me, this is an uh kind of a once in a lifetime opportunity to highlight and spotlight, just as you said, um, our beautiful city, and I think it's an awesome chance that we get to really do um put on our best, like put put out put a great, great, great um plan forward.

The only the only ask that I have um for you is Emily, when it's all done.

I would love to know, I would love for you guys to just come and chat with us about what worked, what didn't where you guys think you would need a little bit more support because that's something that has me as a counselor and I'm sure my other fellow counselors kind of want to understand so that we can um support in a different way for the coming years, and if we ever get another chance to do something that's caliber, so I just want you all to have confidence that we're not only planning an event, but that we're also thinking about how can we maximize the opportunity for evergreen benefit within the city of Providence, and so in thinking about our small businesses, you know, what ways can we provide support and platform them during this time?

Even small things that people don't sometimes notice in that the way the PVD Fest website is built out, the way the PvD fan zone is built out, we're not just talking about a schedule, but like a schedule of activities of what's happening in the fan zone.

We're platforming events that are happening all throughout the city.

So trying to do our best to drive traffic into these areas.

You know, we're looking at plans around how can we you know increase the amount of transportation from the fan zone to other areas within our city that the PTC is helping us work on.

Um, and so we've heard two, we all we've heard stories about Olympic games in the past.

I come from a city that hosts the Super Bowl all the time in New Orleans, uh, and we really want to find ways to maximize the impact, not just in terms of fan experience and and our local uh residents' experience, but how can we make this the gift that keeps on giving moving forward?

Our city needs this.

Yeah, our city deserves this.

Um, and I hope the one thing that happens as a result of this 39-day activation, is that this can make the people of Providence feel proud of the city that they live in and the city that we call home.

Uh, this is a beautiful city.

Um, and oftentimes the narrative of this city is shaped by people who don't live in the city.

Um, and so it's time for us as a city, those who live here, to take back that story by showing everyone in the world what makes us so special.

And so we are keenly aware of your concern, and that is a guiding principle in everything that we do as we plan this fan zone and think about opportunities for our residents and for our businesses.

Well, I appreciate your legislature, so thank you very much.

Thank you.

Okay.

I have a one-no wonder you've got the job.

Uh, kind of open this.

Okay.

Um, first of all, super psyched about this.

It's gonna be great.

Um and thank you all for all of your hard work.

Um live with and sort of associated with a lot of young people in their late 20s and they're fired up.

So speak for them too.

Uh I I have I'm not necessarily critical questions, but just like a lot of wonderings during transportation.

Um, and sort of two levels.

One is just the simple sort of sorting cars out for parking.

Um, sometimes it's not that evident.

I was just peeking at the spot here on this now, and some of the fake garages are not on it, obviously, because they're not making garages.

So just you know, wondering what we're doing to communicate to people who might be coming to us by car, where they can say we're car and not get frustrated and how all that's gonna work.

And then um, you know, also really wondering about what we're gonna be doing about all different forms of service transportation once people get here.

Are there gonna be any changes in the work to schedule?

Are we increasing our um micro mobility fleet?

Like, just love to hear you talk a little bit about that, like once we can get a high get around.

Absolutely.

On the website, we're continuing to build out the tab that uh speaks to transportation.

Uh, first of all, one of the reasons we chose one of the reasons we chose Station Park was number one to try and just to try and limit the amount of disruption to so many other cultural festivals who lose our public spaces in the city.

But another reason we chose it is because we're next to a gigantic amount of parking uh at the mall.

But we will be continuing to build out in that drop-down table all the places that people can park, uh, encouraging folks to ride share, encouraging folks to take public transportation, uh, encouraging folks to take micro mobility.

We're also building on a transportation plan places that people can actually get ride share adjacent to the footprint, that'll be listed on the website.

Obviously, places that people can park, you can park at the mall, you can, you know, you can even, I know people have a complicated feeling about I don't want to walk a few minutes to get to a thing.

We have to park in front of where we want to go.

But the fact is it's like 15 minutes away, even at district park, there's a parking garage.

There's lots of surface parking in the property.

Absolutely the convention center.

All of that will be listed uh on the website, and uh as far as additional transportation, uh the uh convention and business bureau is in a really great job of standing up additional um transportation that will be located at the convention center to take folk uh to and from the stadium.

Again, we have worked with um certain groups to make sure that they can have transportation uh that is uh housed adjacent to the footprint.

Um and Ripta is also continuing to work with us to provide um to diversify or at least to um to build out more, uh build out a more robust robust schedule uh to support uh folks who will be uh traveling throughout the region.

So every day we're working on this.

Um it's this is not a fixed plan, this is not a fixed plan.

Uh no one's ever done this before.

We've certainly never done this before.

Um, and so we will be working on this.

It's like you know, when I was an actor, I was still working on my lines and running my lines and all of that, even up until the run of the show, and even while running a production, I would I would come to the theater and look at my script and continue to hone my my my part, and we'll be doing that every single day of the stand zone.

Um, and that's why we really are focused on being fully staffed that first weekend to sort of fully understand the uh the number of people that will be in this city.

Um, but all of our transportation partners and those adjacent to transportation have been working very diligently to make sure uh that not only fans can get around, but that we are limiting the amount of disruption uh for residents.

But all of this will be on uh some of it's there now, but we are continuing to populate our website with everything that has to do with transportation uh transportation.

And I have a follow-up question to that if I may, uh probably three uh you returned pattern, which is once people are on the ground, and we do have a walkable city and the people who enjoy walking.

I hope that they do.

Those people may also have imbibed a little bit or you know, sort of otherwise being maybe a little less cognitive than it's ready, plus they're new here.

So my question really relates to how are we gonna help people at Tricky Intersections?

Are you gonna is there a possibility of staffing with extra crossing guards and extra support?

Like what are your initially?

I have three intersections that I'm concerned about.

Gasping Francis, uh the crossing point from the mall, because a lot of people are gonna come out of the mall.

Um, those crosswalks and then memorial uh memorial in France is a huge intersection where people come off the highways.

So those are the four we're gonna focus on first.

Um we're gonna have flexibility built into the plan that if we have to extend it down into uh you know short of where Cafe Nero is in that area, we can we can extend offices down there.

Um I think the best thing we have going for us is the time, like this fan zone goes for upwards of 15 hours on Sunday.

So I don't think you're gonna see that huge influx of people that are coming in to a game for nine o'clock and then everybody's leaving at the same time.

So but we'll there's gonna be enough flexibility that I can adjust offices to uh any issues.

It's definitely something we took into consideration.

And if I can add to that, we're gonna have street teams of people out on the streets, so positioned at Kennedy Plaza, Biltmore Park, then we're gonna help navigate them through different areas, and so we're gonna anyone that's kind of looking at like how do I get to the fans or whatnot, if they're coming from like KP and Billmore Park, we're gonna drive them through track 15 and through Waterplace Park so that they really stay away from those uh challenging areas of of Memorial Boulevard and whatnot.

That's a much safer route.

Um, but we're gonna have street teams positioned throughout the area to not only help people get around but also provide information of questions of like people visiting maybe like where can I go grab some food, where can I go with this, where's my hotel, whatever it might be?

So uh those people will be really ambassadors out there to kind of help and direct people uh in addition to what's in place with public safety.

We've also worked really closely with them all, we have a relationship with them, so they're gonna stack their details, and they may even add extra details to uh to facilitate a little bit of uh better traffic flow.

Okay off the back side of the mall, especially promenade on the pleasant valley park.

Great.

Thank you.

Thank you for helping me see that a little better.

And I expect that people will be sort of going on the backside of the ball and exploring there too.

But now there's a little bit more infrastructure that can do that.

That's cool.

Thank you.

Right.

Um, just uh stepping back uh from a budget perspective, uh, and you've been planning this for almost a year now.

Uh but coming into the new year in December as you indicated.

Uh any specific budget that has been allocated for this from the state perspective, and also uh the local perspective, and then you know, in terms of uh uh added cost to overtime uh within departments, and particularly when it comes to public safety, police, BBW, and so forth, as as uh through BBD and the pride parades, you usually deploy uh the equipment and personnel to block off streets.

This is gonna be 39 days, so it's gonna be consistent.

So can you speak a little bit about that?

And is there any expectation of uh revenue generated throughout the state and city?

Yeah, try to do all of that.

Yeah, I know.

So um the summer of software made an allocation of provenance of um almost 500,000.

That includes state commerce money but other money that was raised.

We have a local appropriation of the budget that was passed this year for 250,000.

Um we're raising money through other sponsorships.

So um Airbnb is a sponsor, for example.

We're gonna raise as much private money as we can.

Um to your question about revenue generating, that will be a big part of how we pay for this.

Um, most of the product that we'll be selling is being made to us uh available to us at cost by sponsors of FIFA and of the World Cup.

Um so we're able to mark up those items and the revenue from that will go back into the fan zone.

Um to your question about does the city make money at having visitors here?

Um, you know, most of the revenue goes to the state, right?

That would be meal and beverage tax, sales tax, things like that.

We get a percentage of those.

Um, but we know that people are gonna be spending money in our businesses and it's good for our economies, so that's why we're so motivated to make this happen.

The budget that is before you now that's proposed does provide for like a little bit of an increase in mail and beverage tax, which we expect because of this, um, but most of the direct money will go to the state.

Right.

Um is the state putting uh any additional dollars and also dollars for public safety.

So the public the public safety money is federal money that's coming through Boston to Providence.

Um the state money that's that 500.

No, that's uh part of a bigger um allocation that will come through Rheima.

The 500 is includes money from the state of commerce, so that is the state contribution.

And when you say uh that is coming through Boston, you said federal money?

There was a federal appropriation for public safety for all of the host cities, and Boston is giving Providence some of their money based on the fact that workers are so close to the stadium and we have so much activation at the what is that amount to be determined to be determined.

And what is the estimated cost on those things?

Do you know?

That is the guy's there will be overtime.

That will depend on as Lieutenant Potter said how much activation we end up needing, but those costs that the federal money will be allocated towards those costs.

But we don't know yet what that is.

Um all this is happening in the downtown area, pretty much.

Um permanent.

And um can you speak a little bit about that?

Where are we there and um within the state and then locally and what is the thinking behind open uh uh um having this establishment open so late?

Yeah, that has not passed at the state level yet.

Um the most recent version does like it provides for each city and town though to have control over how many how much of that is allowed to happen.

So um entities that would like to apply for a late closure, whether it's a 3 a.m.

or 4 a.m.

or whatever, would have to come to the board licenses.

Um game days where there are late matches, you know, we might work with entities to do that if it can be done safely because on some nights the matches are limited.

Um and so we want to give businesses the chance to like finish games.

Um I think we could see if the board of licenses was inclined to approve it, allowing for some of that on those days only, but it wouldn't be for all 39 days.

Um is this only applied uh for for the licensing and uh opening to that late, whether it's three or four a.m.

applied only in the downtown area or throughout the city, the cities.

Uh we're speaking about specifically Providence.

Would this be allowed for anyone in the city that has an establishment of eating that they could open?

Um if they come before the board and have a plan and it is aligned to one of the late night games, the board can consider it.

Um just like they do now.

Um the board hasn't started doing that yet.

Um that will come in the next month or so.

And that's the that's the plan within with this big 39 event uh 40 day event.

Is that the way we're going in that direction that at the end uh businesses throughout the city can actually apply to the board of licensing for the extended hours?

It can be considered by the board for the days that have there aren't that many days that have very late right now.

Our position is that we would consider it on those days.

Um in terms of uh public safety of the police, um having uh you mentioned how many uh officers throughout the down uh the area.

Um how have you guys taken into account the impact that this uh event is gonna have on the neighboring uh uh neighborhoods and the response times and so forth and having more personnel available?

It's not gonna affect the response outside.

We're still going to stick with our minimum manning numbers in the surrounding districts.

This is gonna be a separate and aside added uh added officers at this specific site.

And again, it's it's an estimate right now, depending on the crowd in the first four days.

I can scale it down or scale it up if need be if this robust among people but it's not going to affect our uh calls for service outside of the chair, yeah.

Um yeah, just quick questions.

Oh, thank you.

Um I mean you kind of answered it right there then.

So I mean, say 40,000 people showed up, like we we have the capability to double the police footprint if needed.

Yes, um, we also could discuss mutual aid at that point if it gets that or those numbers that are that high.

Yeah, and the state police are also involved, yeah.

Yeah, we do have state partnership with this too.

I didn't mention it, but we I speak to the state police on a regular basis.

They're tied in with the Ghana movements from uh here to Bryan.

Um so they're they're another part that we can lean on in that in that event.

We had a public safety law through last week, and there were representatives from like 10 different law enforcement agencies.

Amtrak police, the National Guard, you know, you know, Lieutenant Potter is running the show, but like there's a lot of people interested in helping and bringing essence to do that.

Along those lines with the uh extra park uh security, you uh you mentioned uh uh a company that's gonna uh provide the security.

Um was this uh sort of um put out there for uh RFP or is just more of selecting this the best are there gonna be other opportunities for other security companies to participate in this event uh that may provide those services?

Is that part of the plan?

At this point, no.

Uh we selected NES because we've had a long relationship with them as it as it relates to um producing big events.

Uh we've had a very limited amount of time to be able to get to where we are.

Um, and literally we've been working for months in collaboration with our public safety team to create the plan that is our safety plan.

So going out to bid on this really would not have been an option for this for this particular um uh project.

And NES does the security at Boston Soccer and Festival, so there's uh opportunity to they'll have the benefit of understanding what's happening at those places also and will be able to leverage that knowledge.

They get paid through the money uh uh who pays them?

Well, kind of accommodation of homeland security money and other sponsorship money that's raised.

Um you were indicating that it's uh open and free to the general public.

Uh need those any specific tickets or anything like that.

No, sir.

All right.

Uh you mentioned the selling of products in the city or the city services.

Who's actually who's actually selling these products?

Uh is that private vendors?

Yes.

Uh products as far as the beverages are concerned, or jerseys or jerseys and FIFA uh merchandise and so forth.

Are they going to be also being authorized and given license that they're gonna be paying fees?

Or is the city collecting vendor fees for those vendors?

That is correct.

And also um, in terms of uh the city services, how many employees uh are currently uh employed with city services?

And are you gonna be able to add more besides volunteers to that personnel to service?

And then in your department, ACT or tourism, is there are you increasing the uh opportunities for uh people to work in this environment?

As you mentioned, employment, but uh how do they go about that and how many by each department?

So on our website at PvDfanzone.com, there's a get involved page.

So that is an opportunity that people can sign up and express their interest in either working at the events in various roles and capacities.

Uh so that everything from event support, logistics, uh, and then uh people can sign up also if they're a business uh with as mentioned we have our marketplace that people can sign up if their business is if they're interested in being there.

So that's all available on the site that people can sign up for.

But if you're if you're asking, will my team, the six of us become seven?

Or ten or fifteen or two?

No, no.

Um we are working through our website to uh get people to apply to be a part of our staff.

Uh and then my team, of course, um, we're working to our own internal staffing plan because we also have you know other things that we do.

And so that's why we it's important for us to lean on uh folks to apply uh for these various staffing positions, and we've created a whole staffing plan as it relates to what the um what the family zone needs.

Well, what is the expected numbers of staff or people that you're your your plan calls for?

It's uh the scale, it it does scale based on you know, Allie was talking about the three different tiers of events based on our capacity uh what we're expecting between low, medium, and high.

Um, but on average uh we're looking at anywhere from uh 25 to 30 people a day of staffing uh throughout the site, and that's everything from we have information, kiosk, vendor relations, event support, entertainment, all that kind of all that's listed on our website.

Right.

All right, I think that's uh it for me.

Anybody else?

Alright.

Um just uh uh I know you've been working on this for a while.

Any role that the city council uh is playing, or that you've engaged uh throughout these months.

Uh the role that you could play is you know talk to your constituents and get them excited about what the city of Providence is about to undertake.

Um get them excited uh to show off their city.

I think what you can also do is there are lots of resources uh in the zeitgeist that folks can take advantage of.

First of all, um our um uh RA hospitality is been doing a really great job of creating trainings for folks in the hospitality sector um to welcome international visitors.

Um a lot of protocol, um, you know, for example, you know, folks aren't gonna be probably using cash or you know, learning how to identify different forms of identification.

So they would do a really really great job of preparing local businesses uh for uh FIFA.

Um also you know, on our website uh or go to Summer of Soccer for any of our local businesses who have any questions about showing the games in their establishments.

We encourage them to please look at the FIFA regulations as it relates to uh showing these games, uh FIFA to be colloquial, they don't play when it comes to the guidelines around how people can uh show uh these games in public establishments or in outdoor spaces, so you can go to summer of soccer to get that to get that information.

We can also go uh to PVD fan zone and get that information, but we're also working with groups like uh Skills for RI, um, you know, and in collaboration with them all, finding every way that we could uh create space for small businesses to be able to activate within these indoor spaces.

Um, and so you know, economic development has been really great about getting out to the community and again sharing if businesses wish to do any kinds of expansions of premises uh and the like.

We've talked a lot about licensing, and so we've really been proactive in making sure that people have as much information uh as possible, uh not only to be safe but to make sure that they can capitalize on what will truly be a once in generation opportunity.

Um, and so um all those resources exist um and you can also you go to um dvdfanzone.com if you just simply question and we'll be able to answer those questions.

That's gonna be exciting.

Everybody everyone seems to be just waiting for that moment.

When is it?

At one o'clock.

Formal invitations will come.

Yeah, yes.

We do have a uh committee member or uh in your planning from the city council, correct?

Uh that is the point of contact.

Yeah, or just planning this uh FIFA World Cup.

Uh is it our residents?

And are you planning group?

No.

No, we don't.

We don't.

Well, perhaps we could uh we should have uh someone designated to uh work with and keep us in the loop with all this uh besides I know you're all gonna be busy, so I think we should uh we would love somebody.

Great.

Uh yeah.

Sounds good?

Sounds great.

Excellent.

Any uh further questions?

Thank you guys.

Thank you guys.

Thank you.

I know we've been doing a lot of work.

We look forward to it.

This was just information.

Since we have a quorum, I would like the motion to adjourn.

Second motion has been moved to adjourn, second by Councilman Sanchez.

All those in favor, uh a meeting adjourned.

Thank you very much.

I would really