East Bay Bike Path portion at Riverside Square will soon be illuminated

Council authorizes administration to accept bid for lighting project

By Mike Rego
Posted 5/25/23

EAST PROVIDENCE — A quaint part of the East Bay Pike Path that slices through Riverside Square, one that is often traversed in the darkness of the evening hours, will soon be illuminated.

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East Bay Bike Path portion at Riverside Square will soon be illuminated

Council authorizes administration to accept bid for lighting project

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — A quaint part of the East Bay Pike Path that slices through Riverside Square, one that is often traversed in the darkness of the evening hours, will soon be illuminated.

At its second meeting of the month held on May 16 the City Council approved a resolution granting the administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva the authority to contract for the installation of string lighting with poles along the stretch of path between Pawtucket and Bullocks Point Avenues.

Some residents and visitors to the area may be more familiar with the location as being behind the Dari-Bee Ice Cream Shop and the Borealis Coffee Company.

The administration accepted the bid of $88,429 from K. Electric Inc., based in Warwick, to perform all the necessary work related to the project.

According to the Request For Proposal process the city started late last year, "the required construction services shall include all permitting and site work including but not limited to erosion controls, trenching, augering, digging, meter installations, installation of new light poles, pole foundations (either poured in place or pre-cast), outlet installations, lighting controls, timers, electric service panel, cabinet and control panel installation, electric hand holes and pull boxes, mount light poles on bases, wire, lights, etc., general construction and safe work practices, equipment, labor, and materials as necessary to complete this project."

K. Electric submitted the second-lowest proposal for the project. O'Neil Electric Company offered the least costly bid at $63,300. ANJ Electric Eye was next in ascending order after K's at $107,500 followed by Arden Engineering Constructors at $111,755, East Bay Power at $114,700 and Rossi Electric Company with the highest bid at $139,000.

The vast majority of the cost associated with the project is being paid for through a grant via the Rhode Island Commerce "RI Rebounds Placemaking Initiative," described as an "effort that seeks to support the tourism and hospitality (including events) industries that have been negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

East Providence, in 2022, was among the municipalities that applied for an received a portion of the $3 million available through the RI Rebounds Placemaking Initiative's "Outdoor and Public Space Capital Improvements" component.

The city garnered $75,000 based on its submission seeking funding to be used "for the capital investment of lighting including receptacles along the East Bay Bike Path to enable small and large events to be held in the evening hours."

The council gave its unanimous support of the measure, which was sponsored on the May 16 agenda by Ward 4 member Rick Lawson in whose district Riverside Square is located.

Said Lawson after the meeting, "I am very excited about all the positive improvements to The Square. We are are truly working hard to make it a place for Townies to come and congregate. I look forward to working with the local businesses, city administration, and residents to add community events and further aesthetics to the area."

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