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Once part of the Providence Shipyard which built Liberty ships for World War II, this area was later used for maintenance of “fast trains” which traveled between Boston and New York. The site has been vacant since the University took ownership in 2000. Grant funds will be used to clean up and cap a former train maintenance pit area and return the Brownfields property to active re-use. Plans for development and re-use of the property at this time include athletic buildings and fields, parking and open green space. On Friday, February 10, 2006 the University chose ESS Group of East Providence through a competitive bid process to provide environmental engineering and oversight for clean-up efforts. ESS, Johnson & Wales and the EPA will be meeting soon with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to review the site reports and clean-up plans. Johnson & Wales submitted two clean-up grant applications on December 14th, 2005 for areas known as “Parcels 9 and 10”, located on Harborside Boulevard in Providence and Cranston. Grant awards are expected to be made by EPA in May 2006. want to know more? Information on the grants and the project can be found in “Public Information Repositories” at the Harborside and Downcity University libraries, and the Washington Park Branch of the Providence Public Library temporarily located at the Washington Park Foundation, 1180 Broad Street, Providence. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to contact Susan Mayo, environmental, health & safety/brownfields manager 401-598-2213. Community concerns can be addressed to Everett Brooks, community relations, 401-598-1709. All media inquiries should be directed to Miriam Weinstein, director of public relations, 401-598-1157. For more information on Brownfields, please visit the EPA website. © 2000 Johnson & Wales University. All rights reserved. |