The start date and some added details surrounding the much-anticipated redevelopment of the Kent Field, in the eponymous neighborhood in the center of the city, were the main take-aways from a community meeting on the project held Wednesday night, Feb. 28, at the Fuller Learning Center on Dover Avenue.

The project, referred to as the "Kent Field Recreation Facility" for purposes related to the plan, is expected to start on Monday, April 15, "tax day," when Johnson Landscaping, Inc., based in Pawtucket, will serve as the lead contractor.

According to the administration and the council, barring any weather or supplies issues the renovations are expected to be complete late summer/early fall, September or October of this year.

Johnson's bid, the lowest of four submitted during the RFP (Request for Proposal) process, was recommended by the administration of Mayor Bob DaSilva and approved by the City Council. 

Johnson, which also took the lead on the recent renovations of the Rock/East Providence Senior Center grounds, proposed a figure of $1,429,486.50. The other bids submitted were by: Site Tech Corporation of Providence, $2,031 million; East Coast Landscaping & Construction, Inc. of Portsmouth, $2,365 million; and Central Nurseries, Inc. of Johnston, $2,386,296.

The project, designed by the Wickford-based Kevin M. Alverson Landscape Architectural firm, entails renovations of the existing elements of the park (playground, baseball/softball field, basketball and tennis courts) with major additions (complete walking track, pickleball/fútsal courts, full-size soccer field, recreational/cricket field/pitch and a dog park).

Two other items of note, the renovated playground area will included "adaptive equipment" for children with special needs and so-called "compost toilets," at the suggestion of Ward 3 Councilor Frank Fogarty, who represents the Kent Heights neighborhood, are also expected to be installed.

The main aspects of the Kent Park effort are being funded by two sources.

The city gained a $400,000 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management "Recreational Grant," written by Patrick Hanner of the East Providence Planning Department. RIDEM’s “Rec Grant” program requires at least a 20 percent match.

That and more came from the current City Council, when it allocated $1 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic "American Rescue Plan Act" (ARPA) monies to the project. The Council also earmarked an additional $500,000 in ARPA funds for the purchase and installation of the adaptive playground equipment, which will be a feature of the centrally-located park.

Key to the winning bid from Johnson was its "Composite Base" bid ($398,519.75), which came in at nearly two-thirds less than its competitors (East Coast, $957,865.00; Central Nurseries, $1,148,980; and Site Tech, $910,954). The rest of the winning bid included: Pedestrian Walkways and Plaza Construction, $286,954.25; pickleball/fútsal construction, $285,460; basketball and tennis courts, $278,857.50; dog park, $88,705; miscellaneous plantings, $90,990.