Providence closes off downtown streets for celebration and preview of Kennedy Plaza upgrades

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza and community partners closed down parts of Washington Street and Kennedy Plaza Saturday for the “One Providence Family Celebration” to preview the investments and upgrades coming to the city’s “front yard.”

The mayor and city leaders billed the event as a preview of what a “…reclaimed, people-centered Greater Kennedy Plaza can be.” The showcase includes more pedestrian and biking space, along with the construction of a small food pavilion.

Elorza said the project aims to changes public perception of Kennedy Plaza. “We want them to think of Kennedy Plaza as a park, so we’re going to create a big shade, we’re going to create some kind of infrastructure for events and programming,” said Elorza.