Proposals eye improvements to India Point Park

Related Link: Providence Neighborhood Planning

As Interstate 195 is moved in Providence, it opens up India Point Park for improvements and development.

The highway relocation project was to include moving the overhead power lines that run from the Manchester Street Station to East Providence.

Millions of dollars have been collected from ratepayers, National Grid and federal sources to put the lines underwater. But design and construction remain on hold while the cities work to acquire properties where the transmission lines will come up from underground.

The other high profile project in the park is the old Shooters nightclub.

The city’s Planning Board is considering proposals now. It has suggested that a developer could get a variance for a 15-story high-rise on the site.

But Aria Bilodeau, of Friends of India Point, said the parcel is too valuable to be taken into private hands and that it should be put to public use.

Bilodeau said the area could serve as the hub for a water transportation network in the upper bay.

She also said it would also be nice if there were a place to get a shore dinner or a cup of coffee in the park.

National Grid said it will take a three-year time frame to design and complete the power line project.