Arctic to undergo new look

December 12, 2011

The plan is to remake Main Street, especially the Arctic section because there are empty store fronts in the area and buildings that need to be torn down. Jessica Boisclair. Kent County Daily.

WEST WARWICK — When Governor Lincoln Chafee was elected in 2010 he made it one of his priorities to begin the redevelopment of Main Streets around the state. Now in 2011, his Main Street Initiative is almost in the final stages.

At the Dec. 6 town council meeting, Town Planner Fredrick Presley presented the progress of this initiative to the council.

He said that West Warwick, mainly Arctic, had been selected for this program along with five other communities.

These include Central Falls, the Main street portion of Pawtucket, downtown Woonsocket and the west side of Providence.

He said that Governor Chafee had looked into the areas in the state that had been hit hardest economically.

He said that these five communities are densely populated but have the highest level of unemployment.

Presley explained that the town has been working with the state and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to develop this initiative.

He said that Governor Chafee has been working along side the Governors Institute, which is based out of Washington D.C. and part of the non-profit organization Smart Growth America.