Broad Street Regeneration Initiative 2.0 Coordinator:
Job Posting
Posted 1/30/17 Download Job Posting (PDF)
Project Background:
United by common opportunities as well as challenges, the Broad Street Regeneration Initiative began in 2007 when the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council was awarded a Preserve America grant from the National Park Service to undertake a regional planning project; as a result, the “Broad Street Regeneration Initiative Action Plan” was completed in 2008. This Plan was implemented for several years in the municipalities of Cumberland, Pawtucket, and Central Falls with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to provide assistance to Broad Street Micro-Enterprises (businesses of five or fewer employees) across the three municipalities. The primary focus of the plan’s initial phase was financial support of local businesses.
In January of 2016, The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, the Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls and the Town of Cumberland convened to reshape the Initiative’s next steps. The Broad Street Regeneration Initiative “2.0” was launched with a focus on infrastructure development, pedestrian safety, landscape, architectural and streetscape improvements along the historical Broad Street.
Specifically, the Broad Street 2.0 initiative is focused on the following:
1. Preparing businesses and residents within the 3.2 mile Broad Street corridor (from downtown Pawtucket to Mendon Road in Cumberland) to participate in the planning of and capitalize on a major $11.7M RIDOT reconstruction project to take place on Broad Street in FY 2018 and 2019. This would include mobilizing businesses into a task force that would provide detailed commentary on RIDOT enhancements for the corridor.
2. Have the task force serve as a sounding board for Community Development Block Grant projects within the corridor.
3. Identify and capitalize on affordable housing opportunities within the corridor.
4. Advocate for progressive streetscape enhancements and design standards sympathetic to the historical quality of the corridor, and for enforcement of zoning violations.
With new goals in place, The Broad Street Regeneration Initiative 2.0 planning team seeks to hire a part time staff assistant dedicated solely to coordination and planning of this initiative. While this position will be based at the offices of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 175 Main Street Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the individual will report to all four entities.
Position Description:
Duties and Responsibilities
Schedule and take minutes of Broad Street Regeneration Initiative meetings
Initiate a strong outreach program to Broad Street businesses, including recruitment, maintain a local business directory and ensure its accuracy; participate in organizing meetings, developing website, and email blasts
develop a survey for businesses to determine local economic development objectives and pedestrian and infrastructure improvements
Coordinate Broad Street small business access to SBA and SBDC services via Cumberland Workshop series in the Spring and Summer of 2017
Enable businesses, residents, and government officials to effectively advocate for desired pedestrian amenities and streetscape improvements
Draft and distribute a summary of planned Broad Street pedestrian and infrastructure improvements through the Rhode Island Transportation Improvement Program (T.I.P) in English, Spanish and Portuguese
Contribute to the design and management of the Broad Street Regeneration Initiative website
Identify and draft applications for additional grant opportunities to expand Broad Street programs
Minimum Qualifications
Required: Bachelor’s degree in Planning, Landscape Architecture, Economic Development, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field
Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize
Strong verbal and writing skills. Ability to produce written reports, letters etc.
Flexibility to work in both informal team environments and formalized
government settings
Preferred: skills in developing a social media campaign
Ability to work with diverse populations ranging from neighborhood leaders to
elected officials as well as ethnically and culturally diverse populations
Preferred: 1-2 years experience in local or state government with a focus on planning, economic development
Preferred: Bilingual in English and Spanish, English and Portuguese, or trilingual in the three languages
Salary
This position is grant-funded through the Rhode Island Foundation, and will include a one-year $35,000 stipend for a part time position. The hired position will work out of the offices of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at 175 Main Street Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Application Instructions
Please submit a resume and cover letter that elaborates your interest in the position. Place “Broad Street Coordinator” in the subject line and send electronic submissions to Joan Loos via email at joan.bvtc@gmail.com
The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. This position will be filled without regard to religion, race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or sexual orientation.
Contact Information
To apply for this position as Broad Street Initiative 2.0 Coordinator, please contact:
Joan Loos
Tourism Development
Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
175 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
401-724-2200
Joan.bvtc@gmail.com