"I'm Done with Elorza," Says Providence Councilwoman Harris Following Housing Announcement
GoLocalProv News Team and Kate Nagle
"I'm Done with Elorza," Says Providence Councilwoman Harris Following Housing Announcement
Elorza's office made the announcement Thursday that RI Housing was financing the sale to OmniNY, the New York-based, minority-owned firm whose leadership includes former Boston Red Sox player Mo Vaughn, who Harris said she had been in close talks with throughout the process.
"I'm done with the Mayor -- this is the final straw. I can't have this happening," said Harris. "It's demeaning me, it's bullying me and he's working against me. I can be your best ally...but don't bring me to the other side. You don't want to see that other side."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTElorza announced the approval of financing by RI Housing to facilitate the sale of the Barbara Jordan I development to OmniNY, to undertake approximately $16.3 million of rehabilitation and will preserve the units as affordable for the next 40 years.
Harris, said she was particularly concerned that she was not aware of the final terms of the deal.
"When I have an event, making an announcement, it's because we've made a deal with this management. I want to know that not raising the rent is still on the table. They said they'll let people stay when renovating," said Harris. "I don't know what he could have done at the 11th hour."
Latest for Barbara Jordan
The effort for financing the sale -- and new management - of Barbara Jordan I was on RI Housing's agenda going back to August 2016.
Meeting minutes showed concerns for the development:
"[RI Housing Development Director] Eric Shorter stated that originally Barbara Jordan was presented at the June 6 Credit Committee where the Board requested additional due diligence. Mr. Shorter explained that the properties are located near the I-95 and Route 6 Exchange and are within walking distance to transportation, shopping, restaurants, churches, schools and entertainment.
Originally constructed in the 1940s and renovated in 1983 and 1984, the current ownership, SCHS Associates, has owned and self-managed the property since the renovations. SCHS Associates has exhibited poor management and oversight of the property, leading to placement of the HAP contract on the HUD Watch list for several years. Moreover, SCHS Associates recently lost the sister project, Barbara Jordan II and its HAP Contract, to a HUD foreclosure."
"All I know is I got the press release," said Harris. "I asked him last week when did he start working on Barbara Jordan? I've been talking with them for months. He has put his foot in a mess."
"This is not about Mary Kay. I work with many people, from Congressman, to the SSNA," said Harris. "I was angry, because I've been at the table. Only 3 months ago I had a follow up meeting with RI Housing saying to them now that I wanted to move forward with [tenants] right to refusal. HUD said it had to be a certain amount of low income, and I said we should allow people to grow."
"I made the deal with Omni, they came to us in 2015," said Harris. "I said make sure these people are part of the process....and they're not just low-income people. If the managers do right by these people, we can continue to build and grow."
"He has finally done it -- it's not the first time," said Harris of Elorza. "Everything was done, without even communicating with me. That's how marriage's fall apart. It's lack of communication."
Councilman Aponte expressed similar concerns to Harris.
"I'm struggling to understand what [Elorza] announced," said Aponte. "RI Housing is financing the acquisition from own private owner to another. I have no idea what his role is in this. Mary Kay and I have been working on this."
"I'm glad a deal is getting done, preserving the units was our priority," said Aponte. "I'm not sure how the Mayor's office got in the mix, there are no city resources involved. It's all RI Housing, and these units are in both our wards."
The Mayor's office defended his role on Friday.
"Mayor Elorza was instrumental in facilitating the funding opportunities that are making this project possible," said Communications Director Emily Crowell. "While I can’t speak to other agencies and organizations roles, I know that Mayor Elorza is grateful for all stakeholders who helped make this sale possible."
Elorza Donors - See 25 Interesting Donors
Chafee & Cicilline Aide
Deb Brayton
$600
Former top aide to Lincoln Chafee and David Cicilline is a big Elorza supporter (following Smiley's exit) and was part of the core group of the failed Anybody But Cianci effort.
She worked for Chafee in DC and came back to RI to serve as Chief of Staff for Cicilline during his tenure that created the City of Providence's fiscal meltdown.
Developer
Alfred Carpionato
$500
Carpionato is the mega developer who is one of the finalists to develop the 195 parcels -- and is the owner of the still yet-to-be developed Fruit and Produce warehouse site in Providence.
He ranks 17th on GoLocal's list of RI's Richest and Most Influential.
Widow of Kim Chace
Elizabeth Chace
$2,000
The founder of Residential Properties, Liz Chace has been active on reforming John Hope Settlement House - she was a former Board member.
Chace is the widow of billionaire Malcolm 'Kim' Chace III.
Director
Michael Corrente
$1,000
Corrente is a film director. His films include Shot at Glory, American Buffalo, Outside Providence, Brooklyn Rules and Federal Hill.
He was one of the early organizers in the anti-Buddy Cianci group.
Corrente is being sued for $5 million.
Son of Governor
Dennis DiPrete
$250
DiPrete is the son of former Governor Edward DiPrete. His brother Tom has donated to Cianci.
Dennis is one of the state's most successful engineers and developers.
PR
Patricia Doyle
$1,000
Doyle's clients include Twin River Casino, Frank Caprio and the Airport Corporation. She was formerly a partner in RDW Group for a couple of decades.
Adrain's Campaign Manager
William Foulkes
$1000
Foulkes was the campaign manager for Lorne Adrain and a member of the ill-fated Anybody But Cianci group. Foulkes' wife, Helena, is a top executive at CVS and was recently named one of the top women in business in the US by Fortune magazine.
Developer
Aram Garabedian
$1000
Garabedian made millions with the malls in Warwick and downtown real estate like the former Amica building.
He was the biggest opponent of the development of the Providence Place Mall.
Gilbane
Nancy Gilbane
$1000
While William Gilbane of the mega-wealthy construction family is doanting and betting on Cianci, Nancy is going for Elorza. The family Gilbane has an estimated wealth of $1.4 billion.
Former Top Cicilline Aide
Carol Grant
$1000
Former Chief Operating Officer for then-Providence Mayor David Cicilline, Grant was the go-to person in City Hall.
Previously, she had been an executive with Verizon, Textron and now she is with Second Wind.
Thomas Guerra
$500
While Tom donated to Elorza, his father and visionary behind the transformation of the former Brown & Sharpe complex into the leading live-work environment in the City of Providence - now the Foundry office complex and the Promenade apartments -- donated to Cianci.
His family made GoLocal's Richest and Most Influential.
Former Hosp. President
Constance Howes
$500
The former President of Women and Infants Hospital is now an executive with Care New England. Her husband Kelly Sheridan has ben a lobbyist for everything from the Providence Chamber to big tobacco.
#19 on GoLocal's ranking of the Richest and Most Influential.
Waterfront
Chris Hunter
$500
Hunter is lead consultant for the Working Waterfront in Providence - the group is at the forefront of the battle between the pro-industrial users like Sims Metals (Elorza) and the mixed use plans of Cianci. This week the two Mayoral campaigns made charges and counter charges about what is the right plan for Allens Avenue and the Port of Providence.
Founder of BIF
Saul Kaplan
$500
Saul Kaplan is emerging as the biggest thought leader in RI. His BIF Summit attracts many of the country and world's biggest thought leaders in business.
His Business Innovation Factory is a business think tank and consulting firm. He is the former EDC director and a business MINDSETTER™ to GoLocalProv.
Real Estate Mogul
Sally Lapides
$750
Lapides is the CEO at Residential Properties and was one of the organizers of the anti-Cianci group. She is recognized as a leader in the community and a major East Side influencer.
Set Designer
Eugene Lee
$750
Lee is a Tony Award winning theater designer. He started at Trinity and has designed TV sets for Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
He has designed many of Trinity's Reps' most elaborate sets.
Union Leader
Karen McAninch
$250
While police, fire, teachers, Teamsters and city workers' unions have gone with Cianci, McAnnich is one union leader to sign on with Elorza.
She is with the United Service and Allied Workers of RI.
Beer Distributor
Timothy Moran
$500
Moran's beer distribution company - McLaughlin & Moran - is one of the largest in the region. He has now relocated to Florida.
Taveras' Lawyer
Thomas Moses
$1000
Moses is the boss of the firm Moses & Alfonso - one of the top political firms in the City. Recently, the firm paid a $4.4 million settlement for the firms involvement with 38 Studios.
The firm has been a strong supporter of sitting Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.
Former Fleet Bank CEO
J. Terrence and Suzanne Murray
$2000
The former CEO of Fleet Bank built the bank into one of the largest in America before selling to Bank of America. The bank has the tenant at the now vacant Superman Building. Murray now lives in Palm Beach, Florida.
While the Murrays lives outside of RI for most of the year, they still ranked #36 in GoLocal's Richest and Most Influential.
Former GOP Leader
Lila Sapinsley
$500
Once the Minority Leader of the Senate Republicans in the 1980s, Sapinsley has been a leader in the moderate wing of the GOP in RI for years.
She was a regular guest on A Lively Experiment for more than a decade.
Former BankRI CEO
Merril Sherman
$1000
The former BANKRI CEO was once rumored to be a candidate for Mayor of Providence. Sherman has been active in politics and the community.
She is now a special master in resolving the federal forclosure crisis. She ranks #23 on GoLocal's Richest and Most Influential.
Former Brown VP
Richard Spies
$120
Spies came to Brown from Princeton and served as the #2 for Ruth Simmons for a decade. He drove the negotiations with Cicilline and Taveras.
Spies continues to live in Providence.
Former Hasbro
Alfred Verrechia
$500
Verrechia was the longtime executive and ultimately CEO of Hasbro.
Today, Verrecchia serves on the boards of Iron Mountain, FM Global and Lifespan -- and previously, RIEDC and CVS.
He ranks #20 on GoLocal's Richest and Most Influential.
Super Lobbyist
Christopher Vitale
$1000
Vitale is a big time lobbyist up at the State House and close ally to former Speaker Gordon Fox. His Capitol City Group represents healthcare and energy clients.
