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Providence Council Considers Lease of Downtown Building to WaterFire Arts Center

Providence City Council · December 4, 2025
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Summary

Council members heard a presentation supporting a lease of a city-owned building to the WaterFire Arts Center, with supporters citing cultural and tourism benefits; the transcript records the motion to consider the lease but does not record a final roll-call outcome for item 8.

PROVIDENCE — On Dec. 4, 2025, the Providence City Council heard discussion of a proposed lease that would place a city-owned downtown building under the stewardship of the WaterFire Arts Center.

Councilwoman Ryan outlined the proposal, recounting that the council had already approved bonding for the building purchase and that WaterFire had repeatedly sought the council’s support over the years. "WaterFire has become synonymous with Providence," Ryan said, and the lease would help stabilize the organization and sustain events that "uplift downtown restaurants" and support hospitality businesses.

Supporters cited testimony attributing substantial tourism-related economic activity to WaterFire. "We've heard testimony that WaterFire contributes about $162,000,000 of economic dollars to Rhode Island annually," Ryan said; the figure was presented as testimony rather than an independently verified city estimate.

Councilman Gonzales echoed those remarks, calling WaterFire a "cultural cornerstone" that spurs economic activity for small downtown businesses. The presentation also referenced recent organizational changes at WaterFire under its new executive director, Mark Allen.

The transcript records a motion to waive reading and to pass item 8 on a roll call vote, and supporters urged passage, but it does not include an explicit roll-call tally or clerk announcement of a final vote for item 8 in the provided record.

Why it matters: WaterFire is an established, recurring large-scale cultural event in Providence whose operations influence downtown foot traffic and hospitality revenues. Leasing the building to the nonprofit would shift long-term stewardship and carry implications for the organization’s fundraising and facility maintenance.

Next steps: The council proceeded to other agenda items in the same meeting; the transcript does not record a final roll call result for item 8 in the provided segments. If council action on the lease is required for implementation, the administrative record or subsequent minutes should be checked for the final vote and any contract terms.