PAWTUCKET – The restaurants and stores will come, say officials, but both sides the city’s riverfront first need to be attractive and inviting places.
On Monday morning, local and state officials announced a $30 million infrastructure investment “to unlock Phase 1B” of the Tidewater Landing project, which they noted is already drawing tens of thousands of people to the area for soccer games and events.
Mayor Donald Grebien, joined by Gov. Dan McKee and development partners, announced the investment “in critical infrastructure to help realize the full potential of Phase 1B of the Tidewater Landing project.”
Financed through low-cost loans from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, the improvements will transform the Seekonk River (Pawtucket River) “into a fully integrated, mixed-use destination,” states a release.
The Phase 1B infrastructure plan includes the construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the eastern and western sides of the Seekonk River, linking new housing, retail, and restaurants into one cohesive district. Additional projects include stormwater infrastructure essential for supporting planned developments, new sections of the public riverwalk, landscaping, lighting, and expanded public recreation spaces.
“Just a few years ago, this land was a vacant former brownfield. Today, the vision of a mixed-use district including entertainment, new housing, and park space is fast becoming a reality,” said Grebien. “These infrastructure investments are the elements needed to unlock the full housing and economic development potential of Tidewater Landing. We are making it happen right here in Pawtucket.”
He mentioned the lack of investment on the horizon as of 15 years ago.
The announcement comes as the Tidewater district experiences a surge in residential growth, with 600 new units in the development pipeline. Projects such as Wood Partners’ 325-unit riverfront development, which recently received approval to move forward from the Pawtucket City Planning Commission.
“I’ve proudly backed the Tidewater development from day one, and today’s announcement represents the next step forward in revitalizing Pawtucket and the Blackstone Valley through this project,” said Gov. Dan McKee. “This investment will build on our state’s economic momentum, add more good-paying jobs, and help us deliver a space for all Rhode Islanders to enjoy. I’m grateful to Mayor Grebien and our partners for their work and support of this project.”
“As a lifelong Pawtucket resident, I relish the fact that this long vacant tract of land along the river is finally going to fulfill its promise,” said Pawtucket City Council President Terrence Mercer. “The new pedestrian bridge, public spaces, and housing will truly connect this area of our riverfront into a vibrant new neighborhood.”
Mercer noted that no one would have been there Monday if it hadn’t been for the deciding vote by McKee. He said these are exciting times for Pawtucket, and officials have worked very hard with their partners to make this evolving project a reality.
“It’s going to be a heyday for the city of Pawtucket,” he said.
Officials emphasized that it will take years for these upgrades to be complete, but that work should begin shortly.
“We are proud to see the vision for Tidewater Landing continuing to come to life,” said Dan Kroeber, Managing Partner at Fortuitous Partners. “This phase marks another meaningful step forward in advancing development along the riverfront and delivering new housing and community-focused spaces to the community. We’re encouraged by the steady progress taking shape and look forward to continuing to work alongside our public- and private-sector partners to move this transformative project ahead.”
“We are excited to be part of the momentum at Tidewater Landing,” said Jim Lambert, development director at Wood Partners. “The city’s commitment to high-quality public amenities, like the new pedestrian bridge and riverwalk, makes this an ideal location for our 325-unit riverfront multifamily development. This infrastructure is the catalyst that allows us to bring high-quality housing to this vibrant new district.”
Quinlan Locke, vice president of development at Wood Partners, said this isn’t just about a next phase of the project or one aspect of it, but about something much larger coming to the riverfront, an effort that will bring an “entire district to life.”
Officials said Phase 1B builds on the success of Centreville Bank Stadium, which opened last May as the home of Rhode Island FC, attracting an average of 8,000 fans per game.
The cost of the project has grown over time due to rising costs of inflation, a reality that at one point cast its future in doubt.
McKee mentioned the jobs being created with projects such as this, also sounding a familiar refrain when he declared that while others have turned their backs on Pawtucket, he won’t.
