The Providence Foundation

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The Providence Foundation

The Foundation originates and advocates policies and projects for the development of downtown and Providence as a whole.

Its primary focus is to create an environment conducive to economic development and the creation of a vibrant neighborhood.

09/02/2026

As of the end of August, Providence Place has new owners... and they’re local.

Paolino Properties, Pyramid Management Group, and DW Partners closed on a $133 million deal this week, ending years of uncertainty for the downtown mall.

It’s a full circle moment: Pyramid built it, and Joe Paolino helped bring it to Providence in the first place.

What are you most excited to see in the mall’s future?

08/31/2026

Rhode Island Public Transit Authority is narrowing down the future of transit in Providence... and they want your voice in the room.

The Metro Connector Study has spent months evaluating how to bring faster, more reliable transit to Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, Cranston, and Warwick. It’s now down to four potential routes, weighing both light rail and bus rapid transit.

This is the input that shapes the decision. Here’s how to be part of it:

🗣️ Attend the public workshop — Tues, Sept 1 | 6–7:30 PM | 10 Higginson Ave, Central Falls (Spanish interpretation available)
📝 Or take the survey online — open through Sept 4

Tell RIPTA what you want that future to look like.

Take the survey: https://www.ripta.com/metroconnector

08/28/2026

What’s really driving downtown Providence’s momentum right now?

Our Chairman, Christopher Marsella, breaks it down on One on One with Ian Donnis: From Track 15’s early success to the case for fixing the state’s Historic Tax Credit, Chris talks through what’s driving downtown’s momentum... and what’s still standing in the way.

Check out the full conversation, also featuring board member Joe Paolino: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxmlsZor2Mo

08/26/2026

Momentum without the right tools doesn’t go very far.

Our very own Executive Director David Salvatore wrote for The Providence Journal about what’s standing between downtown Providence’s current status and its next chapter.

Providence’s story isn’t finished, it just needs policymakers willing to build on the momentum that’s already here.

Read the full article: https://www.providencejournal.com/story/opinion/columns/2026/08/02/providence-needs-policy-tools-to-fix-vacant-buildings-opinion/90882344007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z118808p116450n11----l117750c11----e009600v118808d--67--b--67--&gca-ft=176&gca-ds=sophi

08/24/2026

Big news for Providence’s transportation future.

RIPTA’s engineering study confirmed it’s feasible to build the new transit center right over the Amtrak tracks, and the Board has voted to move into the design phase with Next Wave Partners.

Bringing the train station and transit center together in one location means easier transfers for riders, better access for the workforce, and a stronger front door for businesses. It’s a big step toward a transit hub built to serve everyone, all in one place.

More than a decade of work, since the 2014 bond referendum, is paying off.

08/21/2026

The Providence Foundation was proud to convene our city’s mayoral candidates for a real conversation on what it will take to keep momentum moving forward downtown.

Catch the highlights above, and watch the full forum here: https://www.provfoundation.com/2026-mayoral-forum

08/14/2026

Access like this is what membership means. On Wednesday, trustees got an exclusive seat in the room for our 2026 Mayoral Forum, a conversation with candidates Mayor Brett Smiley, David Morales for Providence Mayor, and Dave Talan on the future of downtown Providence, moderated by Steph Machado - Reporter of The Boston Globe and hosted at Track 15. Candidates fielded questions directly from trustees, the people building this city every day.

Thank you to our sponsors, Santander, Adler Po***ck & Sheehan, Dimeo, MG Commercial, Rhode Island Energy, and Sweeney Real Estate & Appraisal, and to every trustee who showed up for this city.

This is the kind of access trustees get before anyone else: direct conversations with the people shaping Providence’s future. Watch the full forum and learn more about becoming a trustee, link in bio.

08/13/2026

Joe Paolino, Board of Directors member at The Providence Foundation, sat down with Ian Donnis on One on One to talk about the revival of downtown Providence

One of the biggest issues on his mind: housing supply. Joe points to the recent sunset of the historic tax credit as a real setback for turning empty historic buildings into housing — and makes the case for bringing that incentive back.

Want to hear the full conversation?

Catch One on One with Ian Donnis or listen now — link in bio.

08/11/2026

Joy has lived downtown for six years, and she LOVES it here. When the conversation turned to housing in Providence, she didn’t hesitate in getting straight to the point:

“Housing for everyone.”

Not housing for some. For everyone! For firefighters. For nurses. For teachers. For the people who make a capital city work, and who deserve to live in the place they serve.

A city grows and thrives when we have more neighbors like Joy.

Housing for everyone isn’t a talking point, it’s the plan.

08/05/2026

Boston’s population is shrinking fast — and Rhode Island keeps showing up as where people go next. 👀

New U-Haul data shows Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are all naming RI a top destination after leaving Boston, with Providence as a standout. Curious why? Link in bio.

Address

30 Exchange Ter Ste 4C
Providence, RI
02903

Telephone

+14015213248

Website

http://www.provfoundation.com/

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