‘City Centre Warwick’ to generate 2,000 jobs
By Dana Griffin
WARWICK, RI- The idea of City Centre
Warwick began way back in the 90's when Governor Chafee was Mayor Chafee.
The thought is linking the
highway, rail, and airport, will help turn the area into an economic generator.
“We knew we had
these assets; we had to tie them together. So, it's taking some time but slow
and steady wins the race,” said Governor Chafee.
The city is developing
95–acres surrounding T.F.
Green Airport;
turning the area into a mixture of residential, office, and retail space.
Senator Jack Reed said, “This
is the beginning we hope of job expansion, attracting business to Rhode Island. All that
being driven by a new improved airport, better commuter rail and great
highways.”
A $400,000 federal grant
will be used for highway infrastructure.
At the airport, runway
extensions and upgrades will make international flights possible.
The state is also
interested in expanding the commuter rail.
All of the plans sound
good to local business owners like Joe Piscopio.
The Hilton Garden Inn,
owner said, “Geographically, it's perfect for the train station and the
airport and the highway to get in and out of here. We have business meetings here
all the time and they all tell me how comfortable it is, in and out.”
Donut shop owner Lino
Correia says the day the commuter rail stopped running due to an electrical
outage was the day he realized how important it was to his business.
“Our business was
slow that day and I couldn't figure out why. And then I figured it out; wow the
train station really does affect us,” said Correia.
If it goes well, the
state could generate 2,000 jobs.
It'll take several years
for the project to be finished, although the runway extension is expected to be
done by 2017.
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