North Main Street Task Force Meeting - September 23, 2026

The North Main Street Task Force met on September 23, 2026, at 21:19 UTC. Chair Sunder Bois called the meeting to order with 7 members present and 1 absent. The agenda included three major items: an update on the traffic calming pilot at Doyle and Randall Street, a presentation on the North Main Street corridor improvements project, and a proposal for a mixed-use development with a transit-oriented development (TOD) overlay extension. Public comment was heard at the end.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were on the agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathleen, a former resident of Sixth Street and current resident of Grandfield, expressed concerns about the proposed six-story building at North Main and Fifth Street. She argued that the building would dwarf nearby single-family homes and set a precedent for similar developments, potentially eroding the residential character of the neighborhood. She suggested that the TOD overlay on the west side of North Main Street is more appropriate for such density and noted other vacant lots (e.g., near Walgreens) that could be developed instead.

Discussion Items

• Traffic Calming Pilot at Doyle and Randall Street Intersection: Dylan from the Streets Coalition presented plans to install 10 planters and flex posts, building on a successful 2025 pilot at Olney Street. The intersection has seen two fatalities and several crashes. The project is funded by a Bloom grant and AARP, with RIDOT support. Planters are on order from British Columbia (2–3 weeks) and installation is targeted for early to mid-November. Maintenance and winter removal were discussed. RIDOT's Sean Raymond noted that the right-turn-only lane on Doyle downhill has been striped, and flex posts will reinforce compliance. The task force supported the pilot and discussed trash receptacle needs and long-term lighting.
• North Main Street Corridor Improvements Project: Rosie Joswell (task force member and transportation engineer) and Tim from Civic presented the project. Funded by RIDOT and led by the city, the 18-month project has three phases: (1) long-term conceptual design for Smith Street to Hillside Avenue, (2) 30% preliminary design for a priority segment, and (3) final design and implementation of targeted safety improvements with available funding. The project aligns with the Providence Safe Streets Plan and the North Main Street Road Safety Audit. Public engagement includes stakeholder meetings, pop-up interviews, and demonstration projects. Task force members asked about expediting short-term improvements and coordinating with the Metro Connector project.
• Proposed Development and TOD Extension at North Main and Fifth Street: Jack Brian and Trevor from Greenwich Bay Development presented a proposal to build a six-story mixed-use building on the northeast corner. The site currently has a two-story building and a parking lot. They requested a TOD overlay extension to their C2-zoned parcel (currently not in the TOD district) to allow six floors as-of-right. The proposed building would have 35 market-rate apartments (five one-bedroom and two studios per floor), ground-floor retail, and 17 parking spaces, with a 5-foot setback from the north property line. The alternative as-of-right four-story option would require a larger footprint and structured parking, which they argued is less neighborly. Shadow studies showed minimal impact on adjacent homes. The task force discussed the rationale for the TOD district boundary, bike parking, and the potential for catalyzing further development. Chair Bois noted the site's strategic location near other underused parcels.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on any agenda items. The task force received updates and provided feedback.
• For the traffic calming pilot, the task force expressed support and encouraged coordination with RIDOT for flex post installation and trash receptacle placement.
• The North Main Street corridor project will proceed with ongoing public engagement and design work; the task force will continue to receive updates.
• The development proposal and TOD extension request will be referred to the City Plan Commission for consideration. The task force discussed the merits and potential impacts, with some members expressing openness and Kathleen offering public opposition. No formal recommendation was made.