EAST PROVIDENCE — At the heart of developing the coastline of East Providence is a belief by those in charge that the process will only enhance and strengthen the city's financial fortunes in the future while also helping reposition it as destination for residents than rather a stop along the way or a place to leave once they've reached a certain point in life.

And though outside factors have hindered progress through the years, the entire project, for the moment at least, is prospering and moving in the direction aspired to when the Waterfront Commission was formed over a decade ago.

"Obviously we had hoped to be a bit farther along, but 'The Great Recession' impacted significantly from '08 to 2011. Things were definitely put on the sideline. We actually lost a few projects that were permitted and ready to go, one up in Phillipsdale and in the Summit Street area as well, but unfortunately those projects fell off because of the financial collapse. There was just no capital," said Acting Commission Chairman Bill Fazioli, who was East Providence's city manager when the body came into being.

"But one of the things we like to do, when you look at cities across Rhode Island, there's not many that can boast from here to Phillipsdale the amount of commercial, industrial and residential development," he continued. "And we're using innovative tools. We have a very highly regarded permitting process. We've gotten very high marks from officials at the state level. We've gotten some awards for what the city has done.

"So I think overall, yeah, sure, we'd like to have it a little bit faster, but some of those factors are out of our control. It's about what the market will bear. And I think Rhode Island is finally at the point where it's starting to pivot."

Financing and the ability of the city to assist developers in the process have been at the core of what has been able to be achieved almost from the start of the waterfront plan, according to Mr. Fazioli, who also noted that, despite what some detractors say, some state officials have been proactive in attempting to lift Rhode Island's economic fortunes.

"Unlike Connecticut, which has serious financial troubles as a state, Rhode Island made some adjustments in its spending and other taxes a few years ago where it's now able to participate in the resurgence of the economy," he continued. "We're not Massachusetts, but I think we're starting to get some of that spill-over effect. The GE (General Electric) jobs are a perfect example. They didn't have to come to Providence, but the fact that they decided to give Providence a shot is a real boost in confidence for the state."

General Electric recently announced its intention to open an information-technology center in Providence for its Digital Division, which, according to the company “will be responsible for developing new software applications and driving innovation in High Performance Computing.” Some 100 jobs will be available initially with expansion a possibility in the near term.

In making the announcement, GE officials noted Rhode Island's location in the Northeast corridor between Boston and New York. Mr. Fazioli also emphasized the city's proximity to Massachusetts' state capital as well, calling it another advantage East Providence has over similar municipalities in Rhode Island.

"We can benefit from their prosperity. We're 45 minutes from Boston. And the housing prices in Massachusetts are prohibitive. By offering some housing opportunities here where you can get from East Providence or Downtown Providence to Downtown Boston in less than an hour is very beneficial for us," Mr. Fazioli said.

Although it isn't the only part of the wide-ranging plan, accommodations have and will continue to play a key role in enticing developers to come to the city. As the overall economy of the state and region gains traction, the belief is folks will want to return to the area or stay. Mr. Fazioli sees developments like the ones currently underway at Kettle Point and Village on the Waterfront, the Ross Commons completed long or others on the table at Phillipsdale Landing being able to the city as a destination spot.

"Rhode Island and East Providence, we've lost population, the workforce has shrunk a little, but I think that has stopped. I think we're at the point now where I think our proximity to Boston and the lower cost of living is going to allow East Providence and the state to bounce back," he added. "There are other parts of the country that are doing a lot worse. And I think these projects are an example of giving the market some leeway where they feel they can make a substantial investment and still make a reasonable return."

For over a decade, city administrators and those who have served on the Waterfront Commission have invested countless hours seeing a vision for East Providence's shoreline come to fruition. Mr. Fazioli, for one, has had a unique perch. He took his seat on the board when he was city manager from 2004-06 and has remained steadfast in his belief in the spirit of its mission. He's also a decades-long participant in economic development around the region in the private sector as a municipal financial advisor.

"The Waterfront Commission has some great folks," Mr. Fazioli said. "They're all volunteers who all have their specialities whether it's real estate or labor or environmental issues. But from a staff point of view, a lot of work is born through Jeanne Boyle's time as capacity as (East Providence's) Planning Director and that of her department. The developers have all been very complementary of the Planning staff. There are pockets of activity that are happening in the city and as long as the economy continues to have some positive momentum and interest rates stay reasonable it will give developers confidence."