Pawtucket City officials have been notified by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation that the City has been awarded a $245,000 Streetscape Improvement Grant from Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, to be matched 30% with $105,000 in Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency funding, to undertake renovations to the City’s downtown parking garage in the amount totaling $350,000.

The City has stated the grant dollars would be applied toward to the removal of the four existing vacant storefronts located at 274 Main Street, and replace them with a new, open concept on the first floor of the garage. The project would also encompass landscaping and lighting in and around the garage structure.

The improvements to the garage are expected to add seven short-term parking spaces to the garage and will also serve to increase visibility of this parking resource for visitors coming to Pawtucket’s downtown. Additional improvements planned for the garage will include exterior LED lighting and public art.

“On behalf of the City, I thank Rhode Island Commerce Corporation for the award of this grant,” said Mayor Grebien. “The revitalization of Pawtucket’s downtown has, and will continue to be a priority of my administration and I look forward to seeing the shared goal of a vibrant, bustling downtown begin to take shape.”

The application for the grant was submitted in February of this year and the grants were awarded based on criteria for consideration. These criteria included; Catalyzing private investment, neighborhood revitalization, elimination of blight, enhancing state and local revenues, environmental sustainability and improvements to public transportation/bicycle transportation.