Providence Working Waterfront Alliance

Since 2007, the Providence Working Alliance ( PWWA ) has worked diligently to educate Providence city officials and the public about the critical role of water dependent and industrial business located along allens Avenue's historic working waterfront. Collectively, these business generate hundreds of millions of dollars in GDP for Rhode Island's economy, it supplies critical energy resources to the region, it provide hundreds of good paying job to the local community, and it also provides thousands of related jobs. Providence Waterfront is considered one of the top 50 ports in the United states and plays a key role in bringing hundred and millions of dollars to this economy of New England reason. Over 9 million tons of cargo are moved through this port every year.
The Providence Planning Department's Waterfront plan continues to portraya construed vision of mixed-use residential and hotel business next to marina and industrial business but this goes against the agreement reached during the June 2008 Waterfront Charrette. The agreement reached by experts, business in the area, and the public was that residential living and hotel use use would not work together in harmony with existing heavy industrial businesses.
PWWA members remain opposed to mixed-use zoning to which would allow for the construction of residential building or hotels in which would be located next to existing heavy marinas and industrial operations. Local business are concerned that future resident owners and hotel guests will complain them out of business. The current strategy outlined in the Waterfront plan does not guaranty that future resident owners and hotel guests will force business out of the area.

At last, The Providence Working Waterfront Alliance is trying to protect Allen avenue water dependents and industrial business that already exist in the area. PWWA has been trying to convince the city of Providence officials and increase awareness so that the city and citizens will see the importance of Allens Avenue waterfront is to them. Protecting Providence working Waterfront means saving good blue collar job which is has a great economy impact. PWWA is allowing mixed use zoning with the support of city officials, having residential and hotels next to heavy marina and industrial businesses, which would crush existing businesses in the area and cause more job in a difficult economical time.