Committee approves 10-year lease with Southside Community Land Trust for six garden lots

Providence — The Committee on City Properties voted Jan. 8 to authorize a lease of six city-owned lots to the Southside Community Land Trust for an initial period not to exceed 10 years.

Policy staff summarized the request as an extension of existing long-term relationships the city holds with community land trusts. Andrew Cook of the Southside Community Land Trust told the committee the garden at the site is “a thriving community garden” used by about 10 households and that the wait list contains roughly 20 households. Cook said the trust provides technical assistance, delivers compost annually and supplies seeds, and that a recent contribution will allow the garden to replace decade-old beds, add a small tool shed and improve layout to increase space efficiency.

The lease covers six city lots described on the record with addresses that were read into the record. Committee members said they were supportive of the garden’s community role and of increasing plot size and capacity for neighborhood residents.

Councilor Andrew Boss moved approval; Councilor Esconal seconded. By voice vote the committee approved the lease.

Cook said the expansion would likely add two to three additional plots and increase individual plot sizes from the prior layout (the prior plots were described as about 60 square feet; new plots would be closer to 80 square feet). He said the garden allows some gardeners to sell modest amounts of produce and that the land trust aims to keep food affordable for the neighborhood.

The committee recorded no further questions and closed the item with an approval vote.