Rhode Island Voters Will Decide a $50 Million History Center Bond

Rhode Island voters on Nov. 3 will decide Question 4, a $50 million bond: up to $45 million for a State History Center in Providence and $5 million for preservation grants, WJAR reported. The center would stand on Smith Street across from the State House, in front of the Department of Administration.

Supporters, led by Secretary of State Gregg Amore, say Rhode Island is the only state without a permanent archives building. WJAR said the records now sit in a leased building with limited public access. Amore and Historian Laureate Keith Stokes say it would create construction jobs and boost tourism.

House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale opposes the bond, citing an estimated $80 million total repayment cost with interest. Rhode Island Current put the construction estimate at $43.2 million and the total with 5% interest over 20 years at about $80.2 million, and reported a fall 2030 opening estimate. It is one of five bond questions totaling $600 million, and voters have approved each of the last 36 statewide bonds, Rhode Island Current reported.