When it comes to building a lasting Cranston, laying the groundwork is essential. In reflecting on the city’s successes and challenges this past year, Mayor Ken Hopkins identified 2022 as a year of advancing infrastructure. While there were some challenges along the way, he is optimistic about the city’s future.

Beginnings of a new Budlong Pool

Hopkins said Thursday the city recently received a $750,000 congressional grant for Budlong Pool and had architectural drawings completed for the new proposed facility. The administration is waiting on projected costs from the architect before soliciting bids for the project.

Conceptual drawings show a reduction of the pool to a third of its size while the remaining two thirds would be used for a splash pad and pavilion for barbecues and picnics; there will also be a shaded seating area and pickleball courts on the property. The city would also renovate and fix the existing bathhouse, making it handicap accessible.

Hopkins said the area could be beneficial for community events. Currently the city hosts its annual mayoral senior picnic on the Sprague Mansion lawn but, since the city would have a pavilion and picnic tables already set up for the occasion, the event could be held at Budlong Pool. Hopkins also likes the idea of closing the pool at 5 p.m. and reopening it from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for adults only.

When developing this plan, the administration visited at least 10 sites throughout the state to see what other communities were doing in terms of splash pads and pools. They visited East Providence, Jamestown, North Kingstown and others to gain ideas of what they would like to see at Budlong Pool.

When talking to other communities, the cities and towns have seen young families out using pools and splash pads with their kids. Hopkins said the projected facility is set up so everyone in the city can use it.

“We want the adults playing pickleball, we want the families doing barbeques, we want older kids swimming, young kids using that, so it’s multi-purpose,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins said the city’s splash pad could have slides in it – this all depends on pricing. Once the city knows the project cost and makes necessary adjustments, they will put the plan out to bid. Hopkins isn’t sure the project will be completed this year and said it’s a process that takes time.

A focus on recreation

Athletics has always been near and dear to Hopkins and he is looking to leave his mark on the city through recreation.

“Cranston’s lagging in terms of recreational facilities owned by the city and I’d like to put my thumbprint on that to increase the facilities that we have right now,” Hopkins said.

In 2022, the city started phase one of its ice rink project by selling the bubble rink at the Phenix Avenue facility. Hopkins said the city is now in the talking stages of building a new ice rink where the bubble once stood.

According to the mayor, Cranston is reevaluating the current 50-year-old rink to see if it’s sustainable. There is a lot of structural damage to the facility – including beams that have rotted over the top and leaks in the pipes that use Freon to freeze the ice. Hopkins believes the rink only has two to three years left.

As an option the administration is exploring  privatizing the rink.  The mayor said Cranston realizes a $50,000 to $75,000 profit from the facility – all of which goes back into the facility.

The project’s next phase includes obtaining architectural drawings. Hopkins has some ideas for the old rink – citing projects he’s seen in Massachusetts where ice rinks were hollowed out and made into indoor softball/baseball facilities once clay was put down. Hopkins said the facility’s curtains could be raised so individuals could play indoor soccer.

In regards to baseball and softball fields, Hopkins would like to turf these facilities as well. He said a lot of communities are turfing their fields and doesn’t want Cranston to be left behind. Turf lasts 10 years if properly maintained and, after the initial cost, the city would let the facility pay for itself by renting it out. Turfing would eliminate field maintenance. He shared that the cost of caring for Cranston Stadium’s baseball field is $200,000 to $300,000 a year.

The mayor added that the city will redo the Cranston West track this summer. The work would have been completed last summer, however, supply chain issues caused delays. The city will also be adding handicap access at Cranston West so anyone in a wheelchair can go to a tennis match or baseball field to watch a game. The new access point for the sloping ramp and pathway will be to the right of the tennis courts.

Hopkins added that the building across from Cullion Concrete Corporation on Phenix Avenue is being used to make cement for a state project and, once the work is complete, the business will give Cranston the building for recreational purposes. The city is roughly two years out from obtaining the facility, but Hopkins says there is potential there.

Brick by brick

In 2022, the city also saw the development of 14 new stores to Garden City Center and the construction of Topgolf across the way from the shopping center on Sockanosset Cross Road.

“The beams are up and now they’re putting up the exterior of the building,” Hopkins said.

Topgolf should be open by this summer, and Hopkins is anxious to see how that adds to the tax roles and generates interest in people coming to Cranston.

“I can see a lot of people coming in, going to dinner and then going over and playing some golf and enjoying that,” Hopkins said.

Word of Costco coming to Cranston made the news halfway through 2022. Hopkins said he met with members of the Carpionato Group last week and said there is one more step needed before the business comes in. He added that there’s a third company – which can’t be named yet – that will be going into the former Citizens Bank building.

The city is also in early discussions with the Friedman brothers on the Mulligans property and how to properly develop it. Hopkins said he is interested in housing for that area.

“I think what you’ll find in Cranston is if you can develop a 55 and older community of townhouses and apartments, they’ll [older individuals] start selling off their houses for younger couples to come in,” he said.

He added that there will not be a big box store there.

He cited improvements to Pawtuxet Village for the 250th Gaspee Days celebration and the completion of Rolfe Square with the Park Theatre. Hopkins said the Park Theatre completed the Rolfe Square area and was pretty significant to him.

“I want to make sure that survives and becomes a staple in the community,” Hopkins said.

The mayor noticed there’s a lot of foot traffic up and down Rolfe Street when there is a show at the entertainment center. He thinks the area could still use a couple more shops and said there will be a microbrewery opening up across from Durfee Hardware.

Following the completion of Pawtuxet Village and Rolfe Square, the city broke ground for phase one of the Knightsville project. The future pocket park will be for civic events and have a pergola, gazebo and fountain; phase one wraps up no later than June 30.

“If you go by there now, the base foundation for the fountain is in,” Hopkins said.

He added that phase two will commence after the start of the St. Mary’s Feast and will include new lighting and sidewalks that are pressed concrete – all of which is meant to mimic Itri, Italy, since historically the area has a large Itrani population.

“I’m anxious to see the vision come to reality and see what it’s going to be like, because I think it’s going to be not just a place for Cranston, I think you’re going to see a lot of people who want to come to dinner in Knightsville will use that for entertainment,” Hopkins said.

The city received $500,000 from Congress for the project’s second phase and $10,000 from the Rhode Island General Assembly (sponsored by Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi) for the gazebo. Hopkins added that Gov. Dan McKee has agreed to share the cost of the lighting for the streetscape.

The ultimate goal is to extend the revitalization all the way to Cranston Printworks on Cranston Street.

Challenges with the council

Hopkins noted that one of his challenges from 2022 was trying to get on the same page with the council. He said there were a lot of new, young faces on the council that really didn't understand the process of how government works.

“They’ve got to understand that their job as the legislative branch is to make the laws. That’s their job. Handle, but not demand constituent affairs,” Hopkins said.

He hopes the administration and council will be able to work together, and he recently met with the new council president, Jessica Marino, to discuss trying to do what’s in the best interest of the city.

The mayor recalled former Gov. Edward DiPrete telling a story about President Bush and Tip O'Neill coming together even though they were from different parties and compromising for the best interest of the people.

“Sometimes, people think you have ulterior motives or play politics. I can’t stand politics. I really don’t like it,” Hopkins said. “The biggest challenge I had was the politics of us versus them. The administration versus the legislative branch.”

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds also proved to be a point of contention with the council.

“Right now we’ve reserved the ARPA funds for the purpose that they were designed for. To help cities get through the tough economic times by filling budget gaps that were created because of Covid,” Hopkins said.

He said the pandemic created budget gaps – for instance, the city’s budget has increased almost 25 percent in trash haul from a person’s house to the landfill and caused a $1.5 million increase within the budget.

Additionally, the city’s fire hydrants (which the city rents from Providence Water) increased half a million dollars in rent. Hopkins said across the country the general cost of living is up eight percent.

“The city has the same problem. We have to pay electric bills and bills we have to pay for normal daily bills,” Hopkins said.

There were other budget elements like increased labor contracts that were already signed and payments to injured firefighters. To help with the budget’s fiscal challenges, the mayor discussed the measures he took to save the city money. Cranston saved $1.1 million after making cuts to city staff. Twenty-four individuals were laid off or took early retirement with a $10,000 bonus. The city also helped the individuals find employment elsewhere.

The city still has a hiring freeze and Hopkins thanked the staff for their hard work during this time when most departments had a two to three person reduction.

Becoming mayor has a learning curve, and for Hopkins that included growing a thick skin and not letting the little things bother him.

Looking down the road

Focusing on the future, there are several multiple projects Hopkins would like to take on. He said the city has some space off Pontiac Avenue that could be developed. Currently, the area is wetlands but the city is working with DEM to see what’s possible for the area.

“I’m trying to think out of the box what we can do with it to get some revenue,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins is having the Planning Department conduct a study on vacant properties that the city owns since he has potential plans that involve housing. While this is all in the early stages and there’s a lot on the table, he would also look to have housing that would be favorable to groups like veterans.

He would also like to see updates to the city’s fire houses, help out the Sprague Mansion, get several solar projects moving along and move city employees on the opposite side of the city closer to City Hall.