Downtown Planning Initiative To Seek Non-Profit Status

The Downtown Planning Initiative met Tuesday night and voted to seek nonprofit status. The panel was formed several years ago under town auspices.

The idea of becoming a nonprofit had come up at last month’s meeting, following which Chairman Doug Truesdell talked with the IRS and local organizations who have been through the process. Board member Sara Whitney, who has experience in making the application, will assist Truesdell with the DPI request.

Board members agreed that nonprofit status could be beneficial in supporting their mission, which is to enhance living in the Town of East Greenwich, including the improvement of Main Street and its surrounding areas.

Currently the DPI operates under the wing of the Town, and would become independent with nonprofit status. Councilor Mark Gee, a DPI member, agreed with Truesdell that the relationship of the two entities probably would be little changed.

There would be a new name, and board members were asked to come up with suggestions.

In addition to seeking nonprofit status, a recent survey of board members showed they felt key projects for the DPI are the Hill & Harbour Run, support for the Odeum, a free outdoor movie, a summer kick-off festival, a Birthplace of the Continental Navy monument and a buy-a-brick campaign.

The Hill and Harbour run is scheduled for Nov. 26 as a 5K, with a one-mile fun run through downtown. A traditional Lion’s Club event, now with DPI support, it has been changed from a spring to a fall event.

Truesdell, who also sits on the Odeum Board, said that group is finalizing the cost figures for renovation, planning a fall fundraiser and focusing on the sale of seats. Individuals can sponsor a new seat, which will contain a name plate, for $150. The Odeum, which was closed by stringent fire code revisions after the Station nightclub fire, had been hoping for a September re-opening, but has delayed that date.

The free outdoor movie date has been set as Sept. 24, with a rain date of Sept. 25. The community is invited to show up at Academy Field with blankets and chairs for a showing of The Goonies.  There will be at least three food vendors on the field.

The “buy-a-brick” fundraiser is being investigated for next summer to fit in with an upgrade of the Main Street sidewalks. Board member Alexa Paolella said the town plans include a brick design in which engraved bricks can be put in place during construction, or at a later date. There would be an additional cost for bricks put in after the project is completed.

Committee members are still fleshing out ideas for a spring festival and the Birthplace of the Continental Navy monument.

The board also got a report that the recently published visitor’s guide is being well received and will be placed in several more locations.   Some of the members will hand them out again at Thursday's Main Street Stroll.