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April 10, 2008

New buffer against eviction for artists, small businesses

PROVIDENCE -- Mayor David N. Cicilline, City Councilman Luis Aponte and others announced the passage of an ordinance that will keep artists and small business owners from being evicted from their buildings on short notice.

Sponsored by Aponte, the measure requires building owners to pay relocation costs for displaced artists and businesses and inform them 80 days in advance that they will be no longer be able to to lease the space.

At today’s news conference on Hartford Avenue, Cicilline said that the redevelopment of historic mills and former industrial buildings should not take place at the expense of artists and small businesses that create jobs and stimulate commerce.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our knowledge-based economy,” he said, “and, as we continue to grow, it’s critically important that we ensure small businesses continue to thrive.”

“Providence has many designers, inventors and entrepreneurs who are the driving force behind small businesses in our creative sector,” said Erik Bright, co-director of the Partnership for Creative Industrial Space, a private city organization that dreamed up the measure. “This relocation ordinance provides a degree of protection and insurance for these small businesses and the mayor and City Council should be commended for taking steps to ensure the future job growth and expansion of the city’s tax base.”

-- Journal staff writer Linda Borg

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 5:02 PM | Permalink

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