PADS is Back!

After a hiatus, PADS is reorganizing and getting active once again. There is some exciting movement afoot to discuss and help along, and we'd like to make sure you – the residents of Pawtucket – are well-informed. Here are some issues and initiatives we are following: 

Mayoral Race 2010

For the first time in many years, Mayor James Doyle is not seeking reelection. This opens up the race to a new Democratic Candidate for the September primary. PADS is not organizing a debate or event per se, but we will keep the public informed and encourage attendance for an upcoming debate hosted by the Pawtucket Times and the Gamm Theatre. 

PAWTUCKET 2020

The Mayor's 2020 Committee has convened and a new report is out for public review and comment. The 2020 Committee has been working on a series of recommendations for more economic development in the City, and this latest study has some interesting impacts on our Downtown. 

ZONING

The Mayor has appointed several new members to a task force charged with reviewing the City's zoning code and enforcement practices. This is the first step in what we hope is a comprehensive zoning overhaul. 

TRAFFIC STUDY

The City if Pawtucket and the Pawtucket Foundation has selected Thurlow Small Architecture to lead a team of consultants on revisioning and reorganizing the City, both in some of its internal procedures, like zoning, as well as in its traffic patterns, circulation, and transit applications. The goals of the study are to:

  • Propose traffic circulation patterns, intersection and traffic signalization redesigns, pedestrian and bicycle access improvements, parking management approaches, streetscape and lighting recommendations, and locational signage which will help make the downtown district a better place to live, experience as visitor/customer, invest in and conduct business.
  • Consider land use/zoning code modifications to the downtown district which reference and incorporate "smart growth", "transit oriented development", and "form-based" design principles.

The citizens of the City as well as key members of local organizations will have input during the process. A kick-off meeting was held on June 22 where the group solicited ideas and known problems from the public attendees. Three ideas will be worked on over the summer and presented for public feedback in September. 

We will keep abreast of these developments as best we can in the coming months.