Ground Broken On Giant Apartment, Retail Complex In E. Providence

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — City officials, developers and other partners joined together Thursday to break ground on the Newport Center, a mixed-use complex in East Providence, with more than 140 apartment units and thousands of square feet of commercial

The Newport Avenue complex, once complete, will feature two four-story apartment buildings, with 142 units consisting of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

"It is always wonderful to see a developer like Schiavo Enterprises willing to invest in a project that will enhance and create housing opportunities for current and future residents while also expanding our tax base," Mayor Bob DaSilva said.

Outside of housing, the project includes 6,000 square-foot convenience store/gas station, 19,000 square feet of commercial space and 1,338 plants, including 51 trees, 100 evergreens and 4999 shrubs, grasses and flowers.

"We are excited to commence on this project which will help enhance this community," said developer Robert Schiavo, the founder of Schiavo Enterprises."From the initial concept on the eight-acre mixed-use development, the entire city staff have been a pleasure to work with. We understood early on the complexity of achieving a new vibrant development while accounting for the community’s feedback on matters of traffic, landscaping and utilities to support such a development."