The Providence City Council is challenging a tax deal made with developer Arnold "Buff" Chace's real estate firm.

At issue are approximately $42.5 million in tax breaks for 10 downtown properties under a state law for affordable housing.

The council's lawyer alleges the deal was an "unlawful scam," while the developer's lawyers argue the council has no standing to intervene.

While the court decides the case, Providence has passed a new ordinance clarifying requirements for future affordable housing tax breaks.

Hello r/providence!

PVD Things, your friendly local library of things here!*

We're coming up on four years of lending items to the Providence community and we're celebrating on Saturday with a party and open house.

If you've been meaning to check us out, this is a great time to stop by! We'll have food, cyanotype making, and a clothing swap.

When: Saturday, 10/24 from 2pm-5pm

Location: 12 Library Court, right off of Olneyville Square

(if you're driving and able to, please park on Olneyville Square or Dike St-- we'll be using a lot of the parking lot)

Who: Everyone's welcome! Whether you're a regular borrower or just hearing about us for the first time, come say hi!

What to Bring: If you'd like to make a cyanotype, feel free to bring something to print on (piece of fabric, etc). We'll have materials for those who didn't bring anything, too. If you have clothes to contribute to the clothing swap, bring those too.

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*Wait, what is PVD Things?

We're a nonprofit, volunteer-powered library where you can borrow things instead of buying them! Our collection includes power and hand tools, electronics, camping and recreational equipment, and more. We also offer workshops and other events.

Membership is sliding scale: $20–$120 per year, depending on what you can afford, with unlimited borrowing for members.

You can browse our full catalog here: https://www.pvdthings.coop/the-things

Hope to see some of you tomorrow!

Looking for suggestions.

When safer streets and better public transit is on the ballot, it’s time to activate the ALL POWERFUL BICYCLE LOBBY! Come bike with the Providence Streets Coalition and Democratic mayoral nominee David Morales to city hall for early voting!

Saturday Oct. 24

MVL Pedestrian Bridge, Providence

10:30am meetup; 11:00am rollout; 11:30-12:30pm VOTE EARLY at city hall

More info on PVDStreets Instagram

Hi all! I’ve been designated the event planner for my homebody friend group to find somewhere fun for halloween where we can dress up and be someplace in a low key way. Trying to find events online is a bit rough so what are any recommendations you would have for someone who knows her group isn’t big on clubbing and wants to chill somewhere and keep the holiday? Backup plan may be snookers to play pool but open to all ideas if it helps narrow anything down!!

"JJ Apineda Noticias, as well as volunteers with the Deportation Defense Network, reported several sightings of ICE in Providence in the past week.

In one video posted on October 18, agents with tactical vests appear to be placing a man in the back of a car on Chester Avenue. On Thursday, October 22, volunteers with the Deportation Defense Network hotline returned to Silver Lake to witness federal agents detain a man on the corner of Dorchester Avenue and Laurel Hill Avenue."

We have rat burrows in our parking lot. A couple years ago, I think, a guy came out and treated them with CO. Rats went away until reappearing this summer. It was far more effective than the bait boxes they would randomly put out over the years. So I'm looking for an exterminator to come back.

Frustratingly, when you search online or on google maps, you get a lot of listings for "local" companies, but once you call, go through a phone tree, and get connected to a totally different company. Then they want to take huge amounts of time getting all your info -- was on the phone for 10 minutes with one co just to schedule a quote visit. Another time I was connected to a company out of Lynn, MA and the Cape!

I just want to have a guy pick up a phone, talk for a couple minutes, and have the same guy come out and tell me how much it will be. I can only guess that private equity or whatever has come for exterminators and now there's all these layers of BS to go through. Just kill my rats!

Has anyone seen (house, car, and a mini camera) on the blocks of Lloyd around Eastside Mart? Grateful for any help.

Is it some stupid state law or something? I’ve never once encountered it anywhere else, but it feels like literally every single gas station I’ve gone to in RI makes me stand there like a fucking jerkoff and squeeze the trigger to keep the pump on. What gives???

Taking a couples trip Christmas Day to New year's day with another couple. Kid free. What is there to do in Providence that week? Is everything closed? I am down for any and all suggestions. Even things within driving distance! Let me know your favorite things about the holidays in Providence.

Super scary run-in while walking my dog tonight. Right as I stepped into the park at 10 PM, I noticed a coyote within about 100 feet of me. I slowly walked away, and I crossed the street by Jazzy’s restaurant. I watched the park and within two minutes two coyotes ran through the street and behind my apartment building. Huge scare! My dog did absolutely nothing LOL. Relieved we are both ok! Neighbors, be careful!

Our little family has been going through a lot lately. We’re facing some really scary and unexpected news about Koda’s health, and there’s still so much we don’t know.

To say this has been heartbreaking is an understatement. Koda is my first baby, my familiar, my first unconditional love. We’ve spent a decade growing up together, and I genuinely can’t wrap my head around not having another 10 years with him by my side.

The one thing I do know is that we’ll do absolutely everything we can to get him the care he needs.

If you’re able to donate or share his fundraiser, it would mean the world to us.

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/loving-koda-furever
Venmo: KaitVMaim

Blowing a decade's worth of "Transit Investment" $$ on a project that will lengthen more bus trips than it shortens.

It locks in the century old hub and spoke route system established to provide a one-seat ride downtown from everywhere. But the city evolved, and now too many neighborhoods are unconnected to employment centers except via a winding, congested route to an out of the way transfer point.

Also, a map showing density of existing riders and destinations is just part of the picture. When considering changes to the system it would be much more useful to locate dense areas of jobs and residents who do not presently use transit because there is none where there could be.

PVD did an amazing job showing up for the primary election, but the fight is not over yet - still gotta cast those general ballots! Join Providence Streets Coalition for a "Bike to Vote" ride with David Morales this Saturday, October 24 at 10:30am at the pedestrian bridge! Roll out at 11am. We'll ride a few loops around downtown (including South Water St, ahem), and then head to City Hall for an early voting party. Please check out and support all of our endorsed candidates here: pvdstreets.org/vote

If you want to keep rolling with us, our annual Halloween Fam Jam is also happening that day at 1pm at Lippitt Park - costumed bike ride for the kiddos! Will be a beautiful day on bikes in our city!

Hello, r/providence,

Open Valley 2 is a big, fun open studios event. Hope you can make it, and thank you in advance for reading on.

*

Open Valley 2
Saturday Nov 7, 2026; 12pm-5pm
Free, All Ages, Self-directed
Welcome Center is at 50 Sims
50sims.com/open-valley

Walk the amazing Woonasquatucket River Greenway Bike Path and consider the area’s central role in the industrial revolution. Visit studios and galleries, and learn how organizations like the Creative Reuse Center of RI, The Steel Yard, Teatro ECAS, WaterFire, Wilbury Theatre, and 50 Sims put the Creative in Creative Capital. You don't need to know a thing about art to attend.

Studios like:

+ Anyhow Studio (ceramics)
+ Binch Press / QAW (printmaking)
+ Olneyville Video (VHS, horror, goods)
+ Womxn Project's A|R|T Lab (radical activism)
+ Glu Factory (visual arts duo)
+ Shellflife (recycling oyster shells)

Food and Drink From:

+ Buttonwoods x Screaming Unicorn
+ The Industrious Spirit Company
+ Providence Winter Farmers Market
+ Ja Patty and more

Exhibitions on view at:

+ WaterFire Art Center
+ Aunty's House
+ The Gallery at Make Do Studios
+ and more!

+ Recap / Preview in Boston Art Review (Oct 20)
+ Photos from Open Valley #1

Hey Providence! I am downsizing and getting rid of a bunch of stuff, included in this is a 4 screen press and about 50 screens, a flash dryer, and a whole bunch of extras. If anyone is interested hit me up. If this breaks rules of r/providence cast me into the abyss.

Now that days are getting shorter and colder at an alarming rate - what are some things I can do with a 4 year old this winter, when it’s just too cold for the playground?

That’s all, that’s my whole question.

Going to keep details to a minimum to play it safe, but long story short, over the past few months I've been dealing with a pretty outrageous case of identity theft that really screwed me over. Investigations are proceeding and the worst has been resolved, but I'm starting to think about potential legal steps.

What local attorneys or law firms would you recommend for representing someone that's been a victim of identity theft? Bonus if they have pro bono options or are understanding about rates, I'm completely broke, which has made dealing with all this even tougher.

I spotted a ton of them on a tree when walking down camp st towards rochambeau. Id stomp them myself but unfortunately was in a rush :(

So sick of seeing them

Costco plans to open its first Rhode Island store in Smithfield in 2028, according to a source with knowledge of the project, ending a long wait for Ocean State fans of the big box discount supermarket.
The new Costco is expected to employ 250 workers when it opens. The location within Smithfield was not immediately available.

Ideally on the East Side?