Spending any time with Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera, one thing becomes clear right away. This is a mayor who means business.
With RIPTA Wave cards in hand, we set out for the bus stop right next to City Hall. And of course, the transit-housing conversation started right there. You see, the bus stop had been temporarily moved one block south to accommodate a construction site that’s producing more affordable housing. Three months into her first term in 2021, the first woman ever elected to be Mayor of this city (and the first Latina Mayor in Rhode Island) convened a 3-Day Housing Summit to begin addressing the critical need for more affordable housing in Central Falls. And since then, she and her staff have been laser focused on doing what it takes to meet the challenge. It’s one of the reasons she was recognized with a 2023 Outstanding Smart Growth Leader Award in 2023.
As we walked past what used to be a Dunkin’ Donuts and adjacent surface parking lot, we observed construction underway for 30 affordable units with an additional 17 across the street in a prominent city building that was once a police station. It’s part of a package that the Mayor took the lead in brokering with nonprofit housing developer ONE Neighborhood Builders.
As we boarded the RIPTA bus, she warmly greeted a few residents, seamlessly shifting from mayor to neighbor. Central Falls, Rhode Island’s smallest city, is densely packed with hardworking families, and Mayor Rivera’s approachability reflects her deep connection and commitment to the community.
We were on our way to Life Cafe, an innovative coffee shop and workforce development initiative within easy walking distance of the Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center in the heart of the Conant Thread transit-oriented development district. “All I see is opportunity” said the Mayor as we stepped off the bus and she surveyed empty lots and those under construction with new housing development. Just last week $2.8 million in competitive State grants were awarded to support the development of five affordable housing projects representing nearly 1,000 new units of housing production.
During our return bus ride, Rivera pointed out additional sites where new affordable housing initiatives are taking shape. Her plans aim to preserve Central Falls’ tight-knit identity while embracing innovation. “Transit and housing go hand in hand,” she remarked, noting how improved access to public transportation connects residents to jobs and education while alleviating the financial strain of car ownership.
By the time we stepped off the bus, it was clear that Mayor Rivera’s transit oriented housing strategy isn’t just policy—it’s personal. Her leadership stems from her lived experience and her determination to make Central Falls a community where every resident can thrive.
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Learn more about Rhode Island’s Transit Master Plan, a data-driven, publicly-vetted and adopted vision for getting more Rhodies where they’re going when they need to get there, conveniently, affordably and with dignity.