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Committee OKs 10-year lease of six city lots to Southside Community Land Trust for community gardens
Summary
The Providence committee voted to enter a lease with Southside Community Land Trust for six city-owned lots, preserving and expanding a community garden that currently serves about 10 households and has about 20 households on a wait list.
The Providence City Council Committee on City Properties voted on Jan. 8, 2025, to authorize a lease with Southside Community Land Trust for an initial period not to exceed 10 years covering six city-owned lots used for community gardening on North Street.
Andrew Cook, who identified himself as representing Southside Community Land Trust, told the committee the Southside garden is “a thriving community garden” with "about 10 households using it" and "about 20 people waiting or households waiting" for plots. Cook described city-supported services to the site: yearly compost deliveries, free seed distribution, low-cost organic fertilizer, and technical assistance for gardeners. He said a recent council office effort secured funds for a site makeover to replace decade-old raised beds, add a small tool shed and rework the layout to increase space efficiency.
Why it matters: Committee members said the lease will support neighborhood food access and long-term community gardening in an area experiencing new residential construction and rising demand for garden plots.
Details and committee discussion The resolution authorizes a lease for six lots referenced in the agenda (addresses listed in the resolution) and is intended to preserve use of the lots for community gardening and related activities. Aaron (listed in the meeting as deputy chief of staff and director of policy for the council) summarized the city-council relationship with Southside Community Land Trust and said these leases are part of a series of renewals for expiring contracts.
Cook described how the lease would allow modest expansion: existing plots would be enlarged from approximately 60 square feet toward 80 square feet, and the site layout changes could create two to three additional plots. He said the group helps gardeners grow organically, distributes seeds for free and provides technical assistance. Council members complimented the organization’s work and moved to approve.
Formal action and next steps The committee approved the lease resolution; the transcript records a motion to approve by Councilor Andrew Boss and a second by Councilor Esconal and that "Aye" votes carried, but it does not include a numerical roll-call in the record. Cook told members the garden renovation work is expected this winter with the goal of completing improvements before the growing season in May.
