To the Editor:
With regard to the editorial “Doubling down on RI” in the March 17 Sun Rise celebrating Citizens Bank decision to relocate west of I-295 in Johnston, I can see why Johnston might think this is a good thing, but the bigger picture is troubling.
Shifting jobs from Cranston, East Providence, and Providence to Johnston has no net benefit for the state. The “tax treaty” Citizens apparently will get just means the big bank will pay less taxes than before, putting the burden on others. Worse, building on what is mostly green space degrades our environment, totally unnecessary considering all the developed land available all over the state.
Further, ratepayers and taxpayers will have to pay part or all of the needed sewer extension and for building a new interchange on I-295, an interchange likely to spur even more sprawl, more traffic, more congestion more runoff, but less beauty in the area, likely degrading residential property values in the area.
Perhaps this move is not something to celebrate.
Barry Schiller
North Providence
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aricci
There is plenty of open undeveloped land at the Hartford ave exit in Johnston. With the exits already in place and the sewer infrastructure, wouldn't this be a better choice for Citizens new location? Also the 3200 employees would be closer to our business center to spend money to boost the local existing business. Maybe if the public had input to this project before the surprise announcement, a more rational plan could be developed.
Friday, April 1, 2016 Report this