Providence City Council overrides Elorza's Hope Point Tower veto

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The Providence City Council has voted to override Mayor Jorge Elorza’s veto of a zoning variance requested by the developer of the Hope Point Tower.

The council overrode the veto on a 10-3 vote during a special meeting Thursday night. Council President David Salvatore abstained, while Councilman Seth Yurdin was absent.

The vote now clears the way for construction of the proposed 46-story tower, which would be built along the riverfront in Providence. But neighborhood critics say they plan to fight it in court.

Elorza, who vetoed the zoning change be he wanted more say over the design of the building, said he is disappointed with the vote.

"As a city, we will not bend to the wishes of multi-millionaires who seek to change the rules for their own benefit, who seek to take advantage of every subsidy and benefit they can grab and yet who fail to consider the interests of the local community,” Eloza wrote in a statement. “Providence is in the middle of a building boom that hasn't been seen in decades. We are a city on the rise and we are excited about the amazing projects we have in the pipeline that will continue to make Providence such a special place.”

Ward 11 Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris was the deciding vote to override the veto, which grants height relief for the massive tower. She said she initially voted against the tower in support low-income residents, adding that the decision was not easy.

“I prayed about it. I talked to whoever would speak to me. I asked folks the right questions, and asked them all the same questions I always ask -- what are the threats and what are the opportunities for my community? And I have concluded that opportunities far outweigh the threats,” Harris said. “So today, I stood to override the Mayor's veto, and I pledge to all those who have been so vocal about affordable housing: I heard you, and I am with you, and we will have it. By the end of my term, we will be a City that puts people to work, that pays them fair and livable wages, and we will have the equity, the income and the equality that every person needs and deserves.”

Elorza said he is “saddened” she flipped her vote.

“Every responsible expert has indicated that this project is not financially viable and will fail under its own weight,” he said. “It's disappointing that our City Council ignored these warning signs and caved to continued political pressure, instead of siding with our residents.”

Others, including Providence resident Noah Hoffman, shared similar sentiments.

"We have a housing crisis and we're not doing anything to fix it,” he said. “This body here is not doing what they need to to fix it. They need to. We voted them into office."

In addition to Harris, Councilors Luis A. Aponte, Carmen Castillo, Michael J. Correia, John J. Igliozzi, Wilbur W. Jennings Jr., Sabina Matos, Nicholas J. Narducci Jr., Jo-Ann Ryan and Terrence M. Hassett all voted to override the veto.

• Ward 1 Councilman Seth Yurdin: Absent
• Ward 2 Councilman Samuel Zurrier: No
• Ward 3 Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune: No
• Ward 4 Councilman Nicholas Narducci: Yes
• Ward 5 Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan: Yes
• Ward 6 Councilman Michael Correia: Yes
• Ward 7 Councilman John Igliozzi: Yes
• Ward 8 Councilman Wilbur Jennings: Yes
• Ward 9 Councilwoman Carmen Castillo: Yes
• Ward 10 Councilman Luis Aponte: Yes
• Ward 11 Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris: Yes
• Ward 12 Councilman Terrence Hassett: Yes
• Ward 13 Councilman Bryan Principe: No
• Ward 14 Council President David Salvatore: Abstained
• Ward 15 Councilwoman Sabina Matos: Yes

Hassett, who is the senior deputy majority leader, said he believes the tower will be “one of the most important developments” in Providence history.

“I was there when neighbors said ‘no’ to the Renaissance Hotel. I was there when neighbors said ‘no’ to the Providence Place Mall,” he noted in a press release. “I went to bat for both and followed my gut that these projects were good for the City and the State, and they were. Today, I feel the same about this project, and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”

New York developer Jason Fane is looking to transform a vacant piece of land along the Providence Riverfront into luxury living and retail. In a statement, he said he is thrilled the council overrode the veto to accommodate the proposed 600-foot skyscraper.

“The Fane Organization appreciates the support expressed by the City Council in this evening's vote,” Fane noted. “It represents an opportunity to help move Providence forward with growth and new development. As we have said before, we remain bullish on Providence and Rhode Island. Hope Point (The Fane Tower) will be an exciting and successful project within the Innovation/Knowledge District, where entrepreneurs, innovators, makers and the movers of today and tomorrow will want to work, live and play.”

The override now gives Fane the green light to work with the I-195 Commission on the project, which, according to a press release from the City Council, is expected to generate more than 1,500 high-wage jobs in total for the three years of its projected construction period.

Rhode Island Buildings Trades President Michael Sabitoni compared the project to a Providence landmark.

"it’s a very significant project. The only thing similar to this would be the Providence Place Mall,” Sabitoni said.

The release also noted that the tower is expected to generate $70 million in property taxes alone over the next 20 years. It is expected to pay Providence about $250 million in property taxes over the next 40 years.

“The 2017 Appleseed Study estimated that Hope Point Tower could generate $273 million in statewide economic impact, as well as a one-time increase of $146 million in the Rhode Island economy,” according to the release.

(NBC 10's Ashley Cullinane contributed to this report.)