Providence city councilors to meet on Smiley’s veto, bike path

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council is set to meet tonight at 6 p.m. to discuss a variety of topics that will impact the city of Providence, from housing to the South Water Street Bike Path.

City councilors are seeking approval for the use of any unspent capital improvement plan funds to be used on the bike path.

If approved, Mayor Brett Smiley would need to move ahead with a $750,000 plan to remove the lane and relocate it to the sidewalk.

The bike path is one of many infrastructure changes to ease traffic around the Washington Bridge, while easing the weight limits on roads for trucks throughout the city.

Providence city councilors approved a resolution earlier this year opposing the removal of the lane, in which residents have since voiced that the vote was a step back for the city.

A 13-2 vote from councilors to tighten up protection on low-income housing and tax relief for developers in the city will also be discussed Thursday, as Smiley has since vetoed the vote.

Councilors are looking to overturn the veto of the ordinance, which helps define the work in the housing sector.

Smiley said the ordinance was poorly written and will cause greater strain on city resources.

Lastly, the council is also looking to officially condemn and call for the closure of Rhode Island Recycled Metals. The scrap yard burned for hours earlier this month that sent thick plumes of smoke throughout the city.

City councilors will meet on the third floor of city hall.