🌱Food Hall Being Constructed Downtown + Man's Throat Slashed At Park

Up and at 'em, Providence! It's Thursday, so let's get you started with everything you need to know going on today in Providence.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 60 Low: 45.

Here are the top stories today in Providence:

1. Complete with 13 food stations, two premium bars, and 30,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor space a major food hall, with a price tag of upwards of $23.5 million dollars is being constructed in the historic Union Station in downtown Providence. The massive project, which is expected to be a major destination spot is reportedly, expected to be completed by the spring of 2023. (GoLocalProv)
2. The downtown Providence arena known as The Dunkin Donuts arena or"The Dunk" will keep its name through June, however, the 20-year naming rights for the building expired Wednesday. The Convention Center Authority has reportedly gone out to bid for new naming rights proposals. What name the arena will don next is unknown. (The Providence Journal)
3. Jesus Acosta, 41, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital in critical condition Tuesday night after a woman reportedly slashed him in the throat in Conlan Memorial Park. No arrest have been made at this time, said police. (WLNE-TV (ABC6))
4. To get a real feel for a house, you really have to visit in person. There are five Providence area open houses coming up soon. Check them out! (Providence Patch)

Today in Providence:

• Spring Local Author Lunchtime Series Kicks Off April 21 -- Join us weekly this spring! (12:15 PM)
• Chess Club - Community Libraries of Providence (6:30 PM)
• Folded Book Art Workshop - Community Libraries of Providence (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Rhode Island: "Check out this drone's-eye view of beautiful Bristol. Boats dotting the seascape, and a sunset that is almost volcanic" (Instagram)
• Rhode Island School of Design: "Graphic Design senior Dora Öncül shares his current interests, including theater marquee color schemes and lo-fi Japanese printing techniques." (Instagram)
• Rhode Island State Police: "Last night Corporal Dan O'Neil and K-9 Ruby were at Fenway Park where Ruby was honored as the Red Sox "Service Dog of the Game." Congratulations Dan & Ruby!" (Instagram)
• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management: DEM is restocking 40 freshwater areas following a successful opening day of trout fishing season. (Facebook)
• Providence Animal Rescue League: "Happy National Volunteer Appreciation Week! Thank you to our wonderful, dedicated volunteers. We are so very appreciative of the time and energy they give to PARL every day and for the love and care they show our animals."(Facebook)

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Events:

• National Hug A Plumber Day (April 25)
• Independent Bookstore Week at Curiosity & Co.! (April 27)
• Bring Mom! Chocolate Brunch Fundraiser to benefit Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice (May 1)
• West Bay RI Strides for Independence 1K/5K Walk (May 14)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love Providence and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.