Centredale scores big with $150,000 state grant

Piche now owns three buildings on Smith Street

NORTH PROVIDENCE – Shane Piche says everyone thought he was crazy when he started investing in Centredale a year ago. No one’s laughing anymore, he says.

The future of this village is even brighter after state officials last week announced a $150,000 Main Street Improvement Fund Grant to breathe new vibrancy into the area, says Piche, who has now purchased three buildings in the Smith Street area and is renovating all three of them.

Mayor Charles Lombardi, speaking at an announcement of the grant last Friday, Oct. 26, thanked Piche for investing in Centredale and thanked state leaders for their support of a blossoming initiative to bring Centredale back.

Lombardi said there’s an estimated $120 million in construction happening across town right now, with cranes in the sky everywhere one looks. He said the restoration of the village is the next step of “selling” what this town has to offer.

The grant funding was a big win for the town, he said, as it will help revitalize an area that’s long needed it. To attract new business and retain existing business, it’s important to invest in infrastrucure, he said.

Planned as part of the project are a revamped Centredale roundabout, with a statue placed at the center of a raised island, new lighting throughout the village, stamped concrete and decorative pavement, better roadway markings, and retaining walls, new seating and plantings.

The $150,000 “is meant to help revive the corridor along Route 44 within Centredale Village with greenery that will help foster foot traffic to small businesses,” according to a release.

Grant writer Lisa Andoscia said the state funding will be dedicated to beautifying the Centredale gateway into a modern streetscape initiative “that will thoughtfully stimulate mixed-use in the residential and commercial areas.” She thanked everyone involved in the project.

Piche said his purchases of three properties over the past year have given a great head start to the comeback of the village. He now owns 1985 Smith St., where he’s planning a high-end corner cafe, the triangle-shaped building at 2025 Smith St., where he’s planning a neighborhood watering hole/eatery modeled after “Cheers,” and the Mazey’s restaurant building at 2017 Smith St., which will keep the restaurant but receive upgrades. Mazey’s had its “best summer on record” after extensive efforts to promote the restaurant, he said.

Piche is working with Lombardi and others to analyze buildings that might come down to create more parking for businesses in the area.

Gov. Gina Raimondo and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation announced that nine cities and towns throughout the state were awarded Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund grants, including North Providence.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they often find their home in Main Streets across Rhode Island,” said Raimondo. “By investing in our Main Streets and making them more attractive places to spend time and money, we’re supporting our local economies.”

Other towns receiving funding were Barrington, East Providence, New Shoreham, Pawtucket, Providence, Warren, Westerly, and Woonsocket. The Main Street Rhode Island Streetscape Improvement Fund awards grants or loans on a competitive basis for improvements to the state’s commercial districts, and projects can receive up to $300,000 in funding. Applicants must have matching funds of at least 30 percent of the total project cost.

“The Commerce Corporation’s Streetscape Improvement Fund breathes new vitality into Main Streets across our state,” said state Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. “The beautification efforts are good for local businesses and the pedestrians who use the area, and they may help as a catalyst to additional development.”

The announcement marked the third round of grants under the Main Street Improvement Fund, with the fund now awarding 25 projects totaling just under $3 million.

“We are pleased to receive news of this Main Street Improvement Fund award,” said Lombardi. “This beautification project will spark new interest, civic pride, and economic activity into the important village of Centredale corridor. We thank Gov. Raimondo, the General Assembly, and the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation for this initiative, and their tireless advocacy for commerce throughout the town and the state.”