Coventry expects $500 million with future projects at the New England Center

COVENTRY, RI (WPRI) — Driving down Center of New England Boulevard, you’ll notice a few closed businesses as you try to avoid countless bumps and potholes in the road.

The sight is disheartening for Coventry residents like Ralph Uva, who has lived nearby for almost as long as he’s been there.

“It was in a constant state of decay,” Uva said. “No one wants to take any responsibility for this. It is impossible to find anyone to take responsibility.”

The road has been repaired repeatedly since it was first built in 1997, but has never been paved.

“For context, I think I was in first grade at Greenbush (Elementary) School in West Warwick,” Coventry City Councilwoman Hillary Lima said with a chuckle.

However, that will soon change thanks to court-approved sales of eight downtown parcels that will bring new business to the area. The City of Coventry expects more than $500 million in tax revenue over the next three to seven years as a result.

“It would seem like a win for the city of Coventry, you know, in a lot of ways, and it puts this nightmare and frankly this mess behind,” said City Attorney Stephen Angell.

Angell said the developers will use the money from the parcel sale to complete the New England Center, as well as the so-called wetlands intersection that extends to Hopkins Hill Road.

Work could begin as early as August, but the timeline is still being worked out.

Angell said he plans to make sure everyone is notified about when the road work will begin.

A public hearing to look at future development plans for the New England Center is also in the works, but it’s unclear when that will happen.