2016 US ballot measures - Rhode Island

From HousingWiki

The YIMBY and development-oriented November 2016 election ballot measures in Rhode Island relate to bonds:

"Shall the action of the general assembly, by an act passed at the January 2016 session, authorizing the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes of the state for the capital projects and in the amount with respect to each such project listed below be approved, and the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes authorized in accordance with the provisions of said act?"

Rhode Island Port Infrastructure Bonds, Question 5

This ballot measure would approve the $20-million purchase of up to 25 acres of property of Allens Avenue waterfront in Providence, Rhode Island in order to expand the city’s port facilities as well as fund infrastructure repair and modernization to the port of Davisville at Quonset. Creating employment and trade hubs on currently underutilized land is the proposed benefit of the plan. The proposal has met with some opposition from Allens Avenue property owners who are wary of the possible pollution an expanded port could bring.

The proposed allocation of monies for Question 5 is as follows:

  • Port of Davisville Infrastructure at Quonset $50,000,000 Provides fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) to fund infrastructure modernization and repairs to the Port of Davisville at Quonset, including Pier 2.
  • Port of Providence Infrastructure    $20,000,000  Provides twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) to increase terminal capacity at the Port of Providence by funding the acquisition of up to 25 acres of land located between Allens Avenue in the City of Providence and the Providence River, and associated infrastructure improvements.

Result: PASSED

Rhode Island Environmental and Recreational Improvement Bonds, Question 6

The proposed allocation of the monies for Question 6 is as follows:

  • State Bikeway Development Program    $10,000,000    To design and construct bikeways
  • Brownfield Remediation and Economic Development    $5,000,000    Provides up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants to public, private, and/or non-profit entities for brownfield remediation projects. 
  • Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program    $3,000,000    Provides up to seventy-five percent (75%) matching grants for public, private and/or non-profit entities for projects that reduce stormwater pollution. 
  • Local Land Acquisition Matching Grant Program    $4,000,000    Provides fifty percent (50%) matching grants to municipalities, local land trusts and non-profit organizations to acquire fee-simple interest, development rights, or conservation easements on open space and urban parklands in Rhode Island. 
  • Historic State Park Development Program    $4,000,000    Provides four million dollars ($4,000,000) for major capital improvements to State properties, including Fort Adams State Park, Brenton Point, Colt State Park and Goddard Memorial State Park. 
  • State Land Acquisition Program    $4,000,000    Provides four million dollars ($4,000,000) for the State to acquire fee simple interest or conservation easements to open space, farmland, watershed, and recreation lands. 
  • Local Recreation Development Matching Grant Program    $5,000,000    Provides up to eighty percent (80%) matching grants to municipalities to develop public
    recreational facilities in Rhode Island.

Result: PASSED

Affordable Housing Bonds, Question 7

The proposed allocation of the monies for Question 7 is as follows:

  • Affordable Housing Development    $40,000,000    To enable the Housing Resources Commission to develop affordable housing opportunity programs through the redevelopment of existing structures and/or new construction.
  • Urban Revitalization and Blight Remediation    $10,000,000    To provide funding for the improvement of properties that are blighted or in need of revitalization, including residential and commercial properties and public and community spaces.

Result: PASSED

Sources:  

Rhode Island Legislature, "Article 5 as Amended," Retrieved November 1, 2016 

Anderson, P. (2016). Voters to decide if $20 million spent on port will make R.I.'s ship come in. Providence Journal. Retrieved from [1]