Tuesday, November 26
Mayor Brett P. Smiley and Providence City Councilor Oscar Vargas today announced that the City of Providence will provide free 30-minute parking outside of City Hall on Washington Street to make it easier for residents to access city services. Mayor Smiley also announced the return of complimentary two-hour parking for shopping in Providence business corridors throughout the holiday season. The City Hall parking program begins today, November 26 and is available from 8:30AM-4:30PM, while City Hall is open to the public, for up to 30 minutes. The two-hour free holiday parking program begins on Small Business Saturday, November 30, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
“We are pleased to announce that free year-round parking is now available at Providence City Hall, providing residents with greater convenience when visiting City departments and accessing essential services,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “And remember — this holiday season and throughout the year, we can make a tremendous impact by shopping in the small, locally owned businesses that make Providence such an incredible place to live, work and visit. Whether you live in Providence, or are just in town for an afternoon, please enjoy complimentary two-hour holiday parking while you support our tremendous small business community.”
“Free parking at City Hall ensures that all of our neighbors, regardless of income or mobility, have the access they deserve to the critical resources and information available at City Hall,” said Councilman Oscar Vargas (Ward 15). “This is an initiative I have wanted to carry out for our community since I was first elected, and I am thankful to Mayor Smiley and the Department of Public Works for making City Hall a more accessible space for all of our residents and small businesses.”
In announcing the return of complimentary holiday parking, Mayor Smiley emphasized the importance of supporting Providence businesses and invited the Providence community to celebrate the holiday season at the annual City Hall Tree Lighting, which will be held on Friday, December 6 from 5:30-7:30PM and at the City’s Hanukkah Spectaculah on Thursday, December 26 beginning at 4:45PM. The Providence Rink, currently under renovation, is slated to reopen in mid-December.
Complimentary 2-hour holiday parking will be available in the following commercial districts:
Broad Street
- Public Street to Montgomery Avenue
College Hill
- Angell Street-Brook Street to Prospect Street
- Brooke Street to Bowen Street
- Euclid Avenue-Brook Street to Thayer Street
- Meeting Street-Brook Street to Brown Street
- Prospect Street-George Street to Angell Street
- South Water Street-Crawford Street Bridge to Wickenden Street
- South Main Street-Wickenden Street to College Street
- Thayer Street-Bowen Street to Waterman Street
- Waterman Street-Prospect Street to Hope Street
Downtown
- Downtown Providence-bounded by Sabin Street, Memorial Boulevard, Dyer Street, Clifford Street and Dave Gavitt Way.
Federal Hill
- Atwells Avenue – Bradford Street to Sutton Street
- Brayton Avenue-West Exchange Street to Spruce Street
- Dean Street-Atwells Avenue to West Exchange Street
- Spruce Street-Dean Street to Acorn Street
Fox Point
- Ives Street-Wickenden Street to Preston Street
- Wickenden Street-Benefit Street to Ives Street
Hope Street
- Rochambeau Avenue to Blackstone Boulevard
Jewelry District
- Jewelry District-bounded by Clifford Street, Eddy Street, Point Street and East Franklin Street
- Point Street-Point Street Bridge to East Franklin Street
State House/Train Station
- Canal Street-Smith Street to Park Row
- Francis Street-Hayes Street to Smith Street
- Gaspee Street-Smith Street to Francis Street
- North Main Street-Steeple Street to Smith Street
- Park Street-Smith Street to Orms Street
- Park Row & Park Row West-North Main Street to Exchange Street
- State Street-Orms Street to Smith Street
Olneyville Square
- Bounded by Route 10, Delaine Street, Atwood Street, & Magnolia Street
Wayland Square
- Angell and South Angell Streets-Butler Avenue to Gano Street
- Wayland Avenue-Angell Street to Waterman Street
The holiday parking program is designed to make it easier for shoppers to visit local businesses. While parking meter violations will not be issued during free 2-hour parking in the specified districts, 2-hour parking limits will be enforced to allow all residents and visitors to take advantage of the campaign.