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PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee announced today that the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will be launching a Request for Proposals on January 17, 2023, for the joint development of a new, modern Transit Center on Dorrance Street in Downtown Providence. The RFP will be released via Ocean State Procures (OSP), the State procurement portal. RIPTA is seeking the expertise of private developers across the country for bold, innovative ideas to guide the design, construction and operations of the new facility.
“The new Transit Center will modernize Rhode Island’s transportation system, improve the experience for riders, lessen our impact on the environment and create a more functional downtown,” said Governor McKee. “Bringing our transit system into the 21st century will attract more riders, reduce cars and emissions on our roadways, and create more opportunities for mixed-use development. A modern transit system is a key factor in attracting businesses with new jobs and economic development to our state.”
“We are excited to move ahead with a state-of-the-art transit center that will benefit our passengers, the environment and our economy,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA CEO. “This progressive RFP model will allow us to tap into the expertise of industry experts to develop a world-class transit center to accommodate a growing transit system while also maximizing the opportunity for community input regarding the project.”
The RFP invites qualified and experience entities from the private sector to submit proposals to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Transit Center through a progressive joint development project delivery model. Responses are due April 17, 2023 and a winning bid will be selected in the spring. From there, a robust period of public dialogue and input with the selected partner will begin the process of creating designs for the new center.
The new transit center will serve as RIPTA’s central bus depot, with Kennedy Plaza serving a reduced number of routes. Initially serving three million transit users annually, and considering anticipated growth, the transit center will feature a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled passenger arrival and seating area, and amenities including multi-modal accommodations for bicyclists. RIPTA is also weighing the creation of a public meeting space with an open-air terrace, as well as other amenities to serve the community at large. In contrast to the current sprawling footprint of Kennedy Plaza, spread out across an urban park, the Transit Center will provide a single organized location.
Overall, the proposal envisions a mixed-use development that will include an enclosed intermodal transit center and RIPTA administrative offices, as well as an adjacent mixed-use transit-oriented development (TOD). The TOD is envisioned to include first-floor retail and residential housing on the upper floors, offering economic development opportunities for the city.
RIPTA has been engaged in numerous, lengthy discussions over the past year with state, local and community leaders about the possibility of building a new, multistory, mixed-use transit center at the intersection of Dorrance and Dyer Streets. The proposal has garnered broad-based public support. The project, in part, is supported by a bond referendum to improve RIPTA transit services via a new transit center in the downtown area, and was incorporated into RIPTA’s long-range Transit Master Plan, “Transit Forward RI 2040”.
For more information, visit RIPTA.com/TransitCenter.
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PROVIDENCE, RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is announcing today that it will extend the renewal period of commercial fishing licenses, previously set to expire Jan. 13, until Jan. 31, 2023. DEM is experiencing a license renewal backlog as it continues to transition from combining several outdated licensing systems into one modern computing platform called Rhode Island Outdoors (RIO), which will have the functionality to handle nearly all the agency’s outdoors licensing and permitting services.
While DEM continues to integrate data from the old IT systems to the new, it is asking users to renew by mail or in person at the DEM Office of Boat Registration and Licensing located at 235 Promenade Street, Room 360, Providence, RI, 02908 or call 401-222-6647. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Until close of business, Tuesday, Jan. 31, it will be permissible to fish with a valid 2022 license if your renewal has not been processed in time. DEM sincerely appreciates customers’ patience and regrets the delays and inconveniences experienced by some who have traveled to the main DEM office in Providence to process their applications.
DEM has mailed license renewal notices to all 2,800 current individual license holders in its system. The renewal window runs from Jan. 1 to midnight on Feb. 28 for the three categories with the most license holders: resident and nonresident standard fishing license (ranging from $150 to $425 for RI residents and from $300 to $1,750 for nonresidents, depending on the number of endorsements), multipurpose ($450 for RI residents, not available to nonresidents), and shellfish over 65 (available at no fee to RI residents 65 and older, it allows participation in the quahaug fishery sector at basic harvest and gear levels).
Failure to renew licenses by Feb. 28 will result in the assessment of a $200 late fee if license holders opt to renew their marine licenses during the 60-day grace period that follows immediately for late renewals. It runs March 1 through April 29. Deadline dates and renewal grace periods do not extend the validity of expired licenses. Until further notice, from Jan. 31 onward, it will be unlawful to fish without a valid 2023 license. The license year runs Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023.
Licensed fishers are obligated to comply with possession limits for finfish as provided in the Division of Marine Fisheries listserv, by dedicated phone line at 401-423-1920, or on the webpage. Licensed shellfishers are obligated to comply with conditional closure areas as provided on DEM’s dedicated phone line at 401-222-2900. Also, all applicants who harvest shellfish must complete a 30-minute online tutorial, which is located here. For more information on marine fisheries meetings and notices, please subscribe to the listserv by clicking here to stay up-to-date on marine fishery meetings and notices.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that 2023 State beach season parking passes and gift certificates are available for the 2023 beach season. They are available for purchase online and are for resident, non-resident, or senior State beach season parking passes.
“It might seem counterintuitive to already be planning for this summer’s hazy, hot, and humid beach days, but now is the perfect time to buy your 2023 State beach season parking pass for some of the best beaches anywhere,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Beach parking passes make a great gift for loved ones, friends, and co-workers any time of year, and allow for quicker entry into beach lots during the busy summer season.
Beach passes and gift certificates may be purchased at the current state beach season parking rates for residents, non-residents, and seniors. Resident passes are $30, non-resident passes are $60, resident senior passes are $15, and non-resident senior passes are $30. When redeeming a gift certificate to purchase a resident or senior pass, the recipient must provide proof of residency and/or senior status to complete the purchase. The gift certificate cannot be redeemed for cash value. Customers will be notified about approval of their season pass within seven to 10 business days. Please visit www.riparks.com/beachpass to purchase your State beach parking season pass.
If a gift certificate is misplaced, please contact rhodeislandbeaches@lazparking.com as soon as possible. For a full list of restrictions on state season beach passes and gift certificates, please click here. No-cost disability passes are available for those who are eligible. Please contact RI State Parks Headquarters at 667-6200 for questions or to confirm you have your proper paperwork before you arrive to get the 2023 pass.
Season passes allow entry into parking lots at all eight of Rhode Island’s state beaches: Charlestown Breachway, East Beach in Charlestown, East Matunuck in South Kingstown, Misquamicut in Westerly, Roger Wheeler, Scarborough North and South, and Salty Brine in Narragansett. However, it does not guarantee admission on high-capacity days or provide preference over other passes. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis at all locations. Resident and non-resident status are based solely upon the state in that the vehicle is registered. If you purchase a resident pass, your vehicle must be registered in Rhode Island. The only exception to this regulation is military personnel who are stationed in Rhode Island and provide proof or permanent duty papers. All others are required to purchase a non-resident pass. If the pass does not match the state registration status of the vehicle, the pass will be voided, and the occupants will be required to pay the day-use parking fee. Passes are non-transferable. A parking pass is tied to the specific vehicle.
A discounted senior citizen State beach season parking pass is available to individuals who are 65 or older. An eligible senior must be present in the vehicle and may be required to present identification as proof of age. If a senior is not present in the vehicle, the car will be required to pay the day-use parking fee. Season passes are non-refundable. Please make sure you purchase the correct pass based on your residency and/or age. More importantly, please do not wait until you plan to go to the beach to get your 2023 State beach season parking pass. This process takes a minimum of 24 hours during the summer months to verify residency as well as those who qualify for senior or military rates.
Please note that if you are purchasing a pass for a second vehicle, you will need to use a different email address. Only one email address can be used per vehicle.
For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.