Providence's 195 District breaks ground on a new waterfront park pavilion, set to offer dining, restrooms, and infrastructure upgrades. The project promises to transform the area into a year-round destination, featuring local businesses and iconic Rhode Island brands. Funding from voter-approved bonds contributes to the development, aligning with the city's economic goals.
Rendering courtesy of 195 District Park
The 195 District Park Pavilion will be geared to offer year-round food and beverage concessions to park users and the surrounding community, as well as provide public restrooms, storage space for the park and a small office for park staff.
Shovels hit the dirt Sept. 24 as the 195 District in Providence, R.I., broke ground on a brand-new 3,500-sq.-ft. pavilion set to bring dining, public restrooms and essential infrastructure upgrades to the bustling waterfront park.
"This is a win for Rhode Island," Gov. Daniel McKee said during the ceremony. "We're thrilled that local businesses will be at the heart of this pavilion, offering locals and visitors a true taste of the Ocean State all year long."
Newport Buzz reported that with the facility promising Wi-Fi, grading and drainage improvements, and electrical upgrades, the transformation is poised to make the 195 District Park a year-round destination when it is completed next summer.
Mayor Brett Smiley was quick to echo McKee's enthusiasm, heralding the project as "a game-changer" for downtown Providence.
"It's more than just a building — it's a new chapter for the waterfront," Smiley said. "This pavilion will bring economic vibrancy and create a dynamic hub for everyone to enjoy."
Marc Crisafulli, chair of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission, noted the pavilion's potential to boost the district's appeal.
"With 5,000 daily visitors, this is already a hot spot," he said. "Now, it's only going to get hotter."
One of the pavilion's feature attractions will be The Guild Brewing Company, partnering with Seven Stars Bakery to provide food and beverages throughout the year.
Jeremy Duffy, co-founder of The Guild, is excited about elevating the park experience.
"We're bringing two iconic Rhode Island brands to the table," he said. "And we can't wait for everyone to dig in."
Designed by the New York-based Architecture Research Office (ARO), the new building will feature cedar shiplap siding, operable storefront doors for indoor-outdoor dining, and panoramic views of the Providence River, making it clear that the pavilion will be as much a visual attraction as a functional one.
The general contractor for the downtown project is Shawmut Design and Construction, a national building company with a Providence office.
Old Freeway Property Transformed Into Vibrant Park
The 195 District Park Pavilion will be geared to offer year-round food and beverage concessions to park users and the surrounding community, as well as provide public restrooms, storage space for the park and a small office for park staff.
Plans call for it to be located at the junction of the Ship Street and Elbow Street paths on the west side of the park. The site was chosen after significant studies were undertaken by ARO and multiple community review meetings.
The overall 195 District was developed after a stretch of Interstate 195 through Providence was relocated in 2011, freeing 26 acres of land for redevelopment.
Since then, the city and developers have been creating the 195 District to be a thriving neighborhood and innovation center in the downtown area.
The redevelopment commission noted on its website that, so far, 13 projects totaling 2.1 million sq. ft. have been either completed, planned, or are under construction, including 958 housing units and 270,000 sq. ft. of wet lab space. Among the anchor developments in the district is 225 Dyer, home to Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) Providence, which provides flexible work space to more than 240 companies; and Venture Café Providence, a business development service.
With a focus on high-quality housing and a growing life sciences cluster, there are still opportunities available for investment in the 195 District, according to development officials.
The project was made possible in part by a 2021 voter-approved bond and represents a major aim by the city to keep Providence on the map as a go-to destination. Expected to be a year-round staple for the district, the pavilion should bring people together and fuel the local economy.
A portion of the new building's funding came from Rhode Island's "Beach, Clean Water, and Green Bond" approved by voters in a special election held in March of 2021. According to 195 District developers, the bond will only permit the district to utilize these funds for infrastructure improvements in the park.
The pavilion is intended to activate the park year-round, serve as an amenity for park users and the surrounding community, and support the 195 District's economic development goals.
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