Rhode Island to close Reservoir Ave office amid customer service overhaul

The House Committee on Finance Subcommittee meeting held on April 2, 2025, focused on significant changes to service locations and transportation support for Rhode Island residents. A key discussion point was the planned closure of the office at 1 Reservoir Avenue in Providence, which is set to be replaced by the new Shepherd Building, designed for customer-facing services on an appointment-only basis.

During the meeting, it was confirmed that the closure of the Reservoir Avenue location will not result in a reduction of staff. Instead, employees will have the option to transition to either the Shepherd Building or another office on Holden Street. The transition is expected to be smooth, with a brief period where services will be offered remotely to ensure continuity for customers.

Concerns were raised about the accessibility of the Shepherd Building, particularly regarding parking and public transportation. Representatives emphasized that they are working to alleviate these concerns by validating parking for customers, ensuring that they will not incur costs when attending appointments. The parking facility being utilized is located near the convention center, which was noted as a potential challenge for some visitors.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the increase in monthly bus passes for Rhode Island Works clients, which are projected to rise due to an anticipated increase in demand. The cost of each bus pass is set at $82.50, and the increase in budget allocation reflects the growing caseload of clients utilizing these services.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the state's commitment to improving service accessibility while managing operational changes effectively. The next steps involve launching an educational campaign to inform affected communities about the upcoming changes and ensuring that transportation support remains robust for those in need.