Coventry expects $500M with incoming developments at Centre of New England

Source: WPRI.com
Author: Alex Torres-Perez

COVENTRY, R.I. (WPRI) -- Driving down Centre of New England Boulevard, you'll notice some closed down businesses while trying to dodge a countless number of bumps and potholes on the road.

The view is discouraging for Coventry residents like Ralph Uva, who has lived nearby for almost as long as it's been there.

"It's been in constant disrepair," Uva said. "No one wants to take any responsibility for it. It's impossible to find anyone who will take responsibility for it."

The road has been repeatedly patched up since it was first built in 1997, but never repaved.

"For context, I think I was in first grade at Greenbush [Elementary] School in West Warwick," Coventry Town Council Hillary Lima said with a chuckle.

However, that will soon change thanks to a court approved sales of eight parcels at the center that will bring new businesses in the area. The town of Coventry expects more than $500 million in tax revenue within the next three to seven years as a result.

"It would appear to be a win for the town of Coventry, you know, in a lot of respects and puts this nightmare and quite frankly, this eyesore behind us," Town Solicitor Stephen Angell said.

Angell said developers will use the money from the sale of the parcels to finish the Centre of New England, as well as the so-called wetlands crossover that extends to Hopkins Hill Road.

Work could begin as soon as August, but the timeline is still in the works.

Angell said he plans to make sure everyone is notified about when the road work will begin.

A public hearing to go over future development plans for the Centre of New England is also in the works, but it's unclear when that will happen.