Elorza Backtracks on "Slow Streets" Initiative After Council and Small Business Complaints

Elorza Backtracks on "Slow Streets" Initiative After Council and Small Business Complaints

After being criticized by a leader of the Providence City Council and small business owners, Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza has backtracked on his so-called "Slow Street" initiative.

On Sunday, GoLocal first reported that the founders of Hometown Poké took to social media on Saturday to criticize Elorza’s program.

The women -- Becca Brady and Tiffany Ting -- started with a food truck and then opened the restaurant in October of 2018.

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In January, GoLocal reported that the restaurant was selected as the #40 "Top Places to Eat" in America, according to Yelp users.

They posted to Facebook on Saturday night:

"We are still open for business, against all odds. We’ve gotten a lot of calls, dms, and walk-ins today expressing confusion and asking about how they can access the store. You can drive right around those barriers and pull on up to our storebaby. @mayorofpvd hasn’t changed his mind about this program. The impact within the first hour and a half of us being open is clear - this is confusing to customers and delivery drivers. This creates additional burden on already hard-hit small businesses and non-profits. ⁣

This program serves wealthy residents who have the luxury of staying home, collecting a salary, and being able to walk the streets and parks during the day. There was no thought at all about essential workers who have to get around the city or small businesses or non-profits who are suffering right now. Poorer communities are being inconvenienced to benefit wealthier ones. ⁣

Please contact the mayor’s office and urge them to open our streets back up. We love you. The fight continues. Thanks for fighting for small businesses alongside us."

Council Concerns

On Saturday, GoLocal first reported that a top-ranking City Councilman criticized Elorza's program for its cost. 

This week, the city announced that in a "new effort to make it safer for residents to walk, run and ride bicycles" while maintaining social distancing, the city will limit through traffic on select city roadways.

"I’m confused, if we are opening [the parks], then why are we closing streets and wasting $15,000 of taxpayer money. Each neighborhood will have a park, path or trail for use," said City Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia in Ward 6. 

"Both the reduction of traffic and increase of space will provide a safe environment for residents to maintain physical and mental health in their neighborhoods. Additionally, select greenspaces and parks will be reopened for active use only," said the city in their release.

Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune also expressed her concerns over the weekend. 

"From what I am hearing, our community's main concern is that the Mayor did not reach out to residents, either to seek input during the planning process or before implementing his final decision," said LaFortune. "Also, many residents, myself included, have observed people walking, running, or cycling without a mask when in close proximity to others, despite the signs and photos asking people to wear face coverings."

After initial deployment this weekend and feedback from residents and businesses, the following changes have been made to Slow Streets segments:

Oxford Street between Elmwood Avenue and Prairie Avenue has been removed 
Parade Street between Wood Street and Cranston Street has been removed
Camp Street between Doyle and Stenton Avenue has been removed
Pleasant Valley Parkway has been temporarily removed to accommodate construction through mid-May. Green spaces and off-road trails will remain open.

“We saw folks enjoying our streets in new ways and exploring their neighborhoods at a safe social distance,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “Traffic is hard to predict on the streets our neighbors live on and our business owners work on, so we’ve adjusted and will continue to evaluate the current streets and add or remove streets and spaces accordingly as we respond to COVID-19 together.”

Throughout the weekend, the Department of Public Works installed signs and temporary barricades along designated streets to divert and slow down traffic. These barricades are being reinforced and/or updated as use is evaluated.