Ward 3 PVD News: April 17th

Hello Friends & Neighbors,

Happy Spring & Happy Earth Month! I love walking around our Ward 3 neighborhood and seeing the tulips popping out & all of the lovely gardens.

It’s been an incredibly busy start to 2026 on Council — several pieces of complicated legislation, lots of committee hearings, and late nights at City Hall. Doing the work of the job sometimes leaves less time for communicating about it — my usual newsletter cadence the last few years has been about every 3 weeks or so! But in between newsletters, I also post regularly on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. — definitely also follow there!

Upcoming City Council Meetings + Events

• The full City Council meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 6 pm at Council Chambers at City Hall. You are always welcome to attend or watch online — and agendas and links can always be found on the City’s Open Meetings Portal

• Budget Season is kicking off! On April 15th, Mayor Smiley presented his proposed FY27 budget to the Council. From there, it will be referred to committee, and we will spend the next 6-8 weeks reviewing it. We are working to finalize the hearing schedule, and I will share it and opportunities for public comment as soon as I have it!

• April 18th at 10 am: Annual Ward 3 Earth Day work day at North Burial Ground! Join us for a park clean-up and work day to prep the pollinator garden!

• April 20th at 5:30 pm: Special Committee on Environment and Resiliency (which I chair) will meet on the 3rd Floor of City Hall to discuss several items, including Stormwater Management, updates from the Dept of Sustainability on implementation of our Carbon Neutral Buildings Ordinance, and more.

• April 20th: First day for yard waste pick up! Leave it in paper bags by your regular trash/recycling!

• April 25th at 10 am: Coffee & Community Conversation at the Mount Hope Community Center!

• April 25th at 10 am: Earth Day Celebration in Lippitt Park with the Friends of Lippitt Park!

• May 2nd: Kick off the Farmers Market and Artisans Market season at Lippitt Park!

Issues of Interest

Friends of Lippitt Park:

The Friends of Lippitt Park want to know what events, activities, and programs YOU want to see in the park this year. Whether you’re dreaming of outdoor concerts, family fun days, fitness classes, or something totally new — your ideas matter. Neighbors of all ages are encouraged to weigh in. It only takes a few minutes, and it will go a long way towards making 2026 a great year in the park. Fill out the survey here >>

Green Revolving Fund:

Two years ago, I wrote and passed an ordinance that required all municipal buildings to be “carbon neutral” by 2040. This was important timing, as the City undergoes a historic volume of renovations and rebuilds of our schools and other buildings across the City. Last week, Mayor Smiley and I announced that I will be introducing a Green Revolving Fund ordinance. This will include an initial investment of Capital Improvement Plan funds and then also house savings from clean energy improvements that can be reinvested in future projects! The clean energy investments are already saving the City money on our energy bills, and we’ve also tapped into state and federal resources that will continue to be reinvested back into our City. I’m proud to sponsor legislation that’s a win/win/win for the environment, for Providence infrastructure, and for good jobs in the City!

 TAKE THE SURVEY  

Miscellaneous Topics For You

Rent Stabilization Update:

A big thank you to the hundreds of people who submitted testimony or spoke at one of our public hearings or listening sessions on the rent stabilization ordinance. We received well over 1000 pieces of written comment, and I personally listened to over 20 hours of public comment at meetings, in addition to smaller neighborhood and stakeholder conversations I had. I voted yes on the ordinance, in line with my public statements sharing that rent stabilization is part of a whole package of work we have been engaged in to address the housing crisis – from increasing density and supporting new building across the City – and also trying to help renters not get priced out of their homes.It’s a complicated ordinance — and while it does not have a veto-proof majority of support — I want to commend everyone who came to City Hall with their support and their concerns and their constructive ideas on how to improve it. Many of my colleagues and I spent countless hours reviewing testimony and studies, talking with experts from other places — and also discussing with each other. We will continue the work of supporting our residents during this real affordability crisis in our city.

Reporting Potholes on City Roads:

There’s a new place to report issues with State Roads — 511! Reach out to 511 to report potholes or other issues on state-run roads.

New Trash/Recycling Bins:

The Mayor’s Administration is mid-process on replacing all of the trash and recycling bins across the City. Just leave your old carts out when you put out your trash, and on your street’s designated week, they will be picked up, and new trash bins will be dropped off! To learn more, check out this website: https://www.providenceri.gov/public-works/trash-bins/

Nathan Bishop:

I know folks are eagerly awaiting the opening of the Nathan Bishop courts (as am I!). After the long winter we just endured, the contractors are just doing some final work, painting, and putting up the nets. It should be back in action by the end of May or early June! I can’t wait to celebrate with you all — and literally bought myself some pickleball equipment so I can try it out and see what all the excitement is about!

It continues to be an honor of my life to serve you on the Providence City Council. As I enter my last budget season, I will continue to fight for the resources and programs that I know we need, while keeping our taxes stable. I appreciate you all — please reach out any time! And keep in touch between newsletters by following me on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.

With Gratitude,

Sue AnderBois