A new food pavilion?

Gail Ciampa, The Providence Journal
·2 min read

Hello dear readers. I'm Gail Ciampa, your Journal food and dining editor.

On Monday, I heard my colleague Amy Russo would attend a meeting of the the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission. On the agenda was discussion of a new food pavililion to be built by the Providence River Pedestrian Bridge.

Today her story was published with some exciting plans for this new, wonderful area.

More: Providence is planning a $4M food and drink pavilion next to the new pedestrian bridge

Still, I wouldn't count my restaurants before they are built. The Commission's budget is $4 million to build a 4,000 square foot pavilion. That may seem like enough money and it is a lot of cash. But is it enough when you consider design plans, building, bringing in all the necessary utilities and businesses and who knows what else?

There has been a food hall under development in the old Capital Grille space for two years. When it is set to open next year, the cost will have reached (or surpassed) $23 million. The project is in the hands of a private developer.

What will happen if the state has to spend more than $4M? Is there a public taste for that?

Maybe a food truck base could be a compromise? Maybe there is the public demand for this? Only time will tell.

The view from the pedestrian bridge off Dorrance, Dyer and South Main streets. A food pavililion would bring even more life to the new innovation district.
The view from the pedestrian bridge off Dorrance, Dyer and South Main streets. A food pavililion would bring even more life to the new innovation district.

Last week started off pretty fun with a visit with Olivia Culpo who was helping her family and partners celebrate the opening of the new Union & Main in East Greenwich.

There were also a lot of hospitality folk there, including Susan DeAngelus Alves from Twin Oaks and Jean Lester and David Lester from Otra in Providence.

Here's the catch-up with what's new with the former Miss Universe.

More: Why was Olivia Culpo in East Greenwich? Insider's look at Union & Main, her new restaurant

And here's my story about the new restaurant.

More: Union & Main has celebrity ties, but its the food that will bring folks back for seconds

That's it for today dear readers. I've got one of those spring colds that has dragged me down since Good Friday. So my grand-dog and I are just going to slowiy keep working here til I stop sneezing and coughing.

A rescue pup named Wanda helps me write.
A rescue pup named Wanda helps me write.

If you enjoy our time together, thank you. And please tell a friend to sign up here to receive my weekly newsletter, Gail's Food Feed.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: New Providence food destination planned but is the budget enough