PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WHDH) – Fire crews from several communities are working to extinguish a huge fire that broke out at a commercial building in Providence, Rhode Island on Tuesday night.
Fire crews could be seen using ladder trucks to battle the flames on Westminster Street.
Officials say there have been no reported injuries.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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A nearly $96 million federal grant will round out the funding Rhode Island requested to replace the I-195 westbound Washington Bridge, Rhode Island’s Democratic congressional delegation announced in a joint statement with Gov. Dan McKee Wednesday.
That money combined with the $125.39 million in Mega grants the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) secured in September brings the total amount available from the federal government to replace the bridge to $220.98 million — the full amount the state requested when it applied for grants back in May.
New Washington Bridge rebuild contract won’t be awarded till June 2025
The sum likely won’t cover the entire cost of the project, which has been previously quoted at $368 million for construction, a number which does not include the $58 million needed for demolition of the existing, defunct bridge lane.
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The new injection of the $95.5 million announced Wednesday comes from the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program in the form of an INFRA grant.
Additional funding, up to $140 million, was authorized by Rhode Island Commerce in July, and the fiscal 2025 budget allotted $80 million of state money for the Washington Bridge’s revival.
“We know that ensuring this complex project is done right will take time, but it’s encouraging to see demolition resuming this week, the rebuild bidding process moving forward, and additional federal dollars coming in,” McKee said in a joint statement.
U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse supported the legislation which made the new funds possible — the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in 2021. One outcome of the act was a 50% increase in federal funding available for INFRA grants. The $125 million for the Washington Bridge rebuild came from a $1 billion pool of funds available for Mega grants across the country.
“This INFRA Program infusion for the Washington Bridge fills in a major missing piece of the funding puzzle to ensure the state can get the job done right,” Whitehouse stated.
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“I commend the Biden-Harris administration for its leadership, support, and commitment to a modern and resilient infrastructure system,” Reed added. “The state must put this money to work and keep the public updated with a clear timetable for progress.”
The funds won’t be used for some time. A Tuesday press conference at the Rhode Island State House estimated that a contract for construction of the new bridge won’t be awarded until June 2025.
NEWPORT, R.I. — After nearly two decades in business, the owners of The Fifth Element are shutting their restaurant down, marking the end of another Newport institution.
“We’ve made the bittersweet decision to pass along the 111 Broadway location to a Rhode Island based, community oriented seasoned restaurateur,” the owners of the restaurant wrote on social media on Tuesday.
The Fifth Element initially opened at 111 Broadway in 2005. For 17 years, it was owned by Brad Cherevaty and Frank and Anna Doyle. In 2021, the three owners announced they sold the company to a group of investors operating under Carpe Noctem Restaurant LLC, which is controlled by Derek Savas, Aryn Hawks, and Sebastian Grasso. At the time, the investors purchased the property as part of a $4.5 million sale, but the space where Fifth Element was located was sold for $2.49 million, according to city real estate records.
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Burger joint Chomp Kitchen and Drinks will open its third location inside the former Fifth Element space sometime in 2025. Chomp, which is owned by restaurateur Sam Glynn, already has a location in Providence and Warren, R.I.
“We are honored to be the new stewards of the iconic Fifth Element restaurant and join the thriving Broadway restaurant community,” Glynn wrote on social media.
The owners of the Fifth Element said they plan to move on to their “next venture,” but it’s unclear if that could include opening a different restaurant. Hawks and Savas purchased a nearby building on Broadway that was known to many locals as the Salvation Cafe, which closed in late 2021. Callum McLaughlin, a New York City restaurateur who is a partner of the Grey Lady, opened Cabana in the summer of 2022, but the Caribbean-themed restaurant was short lived.
Alexa Gagosz can be reached at alexa.gagosz@globe.com. Follow her @alexagagosz and on Instagram @AlexaGagosz.
The Better Bay Alliance is excited to announce the launch of its newly revamped website, designed to reignite interest in the organization and provide essential tools for the Rhode Island boating community. As part of this launch, the Better Bay Alliance reintroduces its unique product, LIVE CHART, an interactive Google Map of Rhode Island waters available free to the public.
LIVE CHART offers boaters a unique, chart-like view of all boating activities across Rhode Island waters, providing a real-time tool to enhance safety. By offering a clear and interactive overview, it allows all water users—from recreational boaters to paddle sports enthusiasts—to plan safe and enjoyable activities on the water. With the ability to visualize the busy waterways and adjust plans accordingly, boaters can be better informed, more aware, and ultimately safer.
In addition to LIVE CHART, the new website also highlights the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to boating safety through a schedule of safety seminars, which will be offered during the winter months. These seminars are designed to educate and prepare the boating community for the upcoming season, reinforcing best practices for safety and cooperation on the water.
The Better Bay Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the boating experience on Rhode Island waters. By fostering collaboration between governmental, corporate, and private stakeholders, the Alliance promotes safety, accessibility, and cooperation for all who wish to enjoy the natural beauty of Narragansett Bay and surrounding waters.
With its new website, the Better Bay Alliance continues to serve as a critical resource for boaters, working to enhance the shared experience of Rhode Island’s maritime community.
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For more information, visit betterbayalliance.org or email betterbayalliance@gmail.com.
About Better Bay Alliance:
The Better Bay Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the boating experience on Rhode Island waters by identifying, communicating, and promoting safety, accessibility, and cooperation while sharing our wonderful natural resource. Through collaboration with governmental, corporate, and private stakeholders, the Better Bay Alliance strives to be a resource for all who wish to enjoy Rhode Island waters.
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