Providence pursues legal action against buildings that paid lower property taxes

PROIVDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council Finance Committee voted Thursday to pursue action against a group of downtown buildings that payed significantly lower property taxes over 30 years.

If the council votes to approve pursing action, lawyers will file a suit against an agreement that allowed 10 downtown buildings controlled by Arnold Buff Chace and affiliates to pay significantly lower property taxes to the city.

The buildings payed approximately $42.5 million.

The decision comes after a report by the city’s internal auditor in December 2022 that identified legal concerns with the settlement of Harrisburg Associates, LLC, et al. v. The City of Providence et al.

The auditor recommended the city hire outside council to review the case, and the Providence firm Wistow, Sheehan, and Loveley was hired in May.

The council will vote to authorize the action at its next meeting on July 20.