Committee approves transfer of 19 Dorothy Avenue to redevelopment agency to pursue housing bids

The City Property Committee on July 9 approved a resolution to transfer 19 Dorothy Avenue to the Providence Redevelopment Agency, authorizing the agency to use its disposition flexibility to pursue subdivision and a competitive bidding process aimed at housing development.

The resolution was introduced by the clerk and described by real estate staff. Nick Chikataly, director of real estate (representing the Providence Redevelopment Agency and the planning department), said the parcel is long and rectangular, fronts three streets, and may be subdivided to produce up to four lots depending on planning recommendations. Chikataly noted the city would seek opinions of value and that any disposal via the agency would proceed by competitive bid.

Chikataly framed the transfer as an example of using the agency’s flexibility for housing disposition, saying, "This isn't the ordinary course of transferring from the city to the agency," to explain why the agency route was proposed rather than a direct city disposition. Committee members asked no substantive questions in the excerpt provided.

Councilor Graves moved approval of the resolution; Councilor Peterson seconded. The chair called for the vote and announced that the ayes carried. The committee then had no further business recorded in the excerpt and took an additional procedural direction concerning the director (the transcript cuts off before the full text of that direction was recorded).

Why it matters: Transferring municipal parcels to the redevelopment agency can speed disposition and allow alternative terms intended to encourage housing development through subdivision and targeted bids. The committee’s approval advances the agency’s ability to prepare the parcel for market competition.

Next steps: Staff indicated the parcel will be appraised and offered via competitive process; the transcript does not specify timelines for appraisal, bidding, or selection.