May 3, 2018

PAWTUCKET – A 160-acre section of Pawtucket and Central Falls that encompasses a new train station planned for both communities, as well as several million square feet in underused mill space, has a new name, logo and website.

The Conant Thread district also has its own joint planning commission, representing both cities, with the goal of consistent zoning and incentives that could encourage redevelopment for apartments and commercial investment.

The plan is to have the area rezoned to encourage appropriate redevelopment for a transit-oriented district, said Peter Friedrichs, Central Falls director of planning and economic development. “The only thing we don’t want is heavy truck traffic or pollution,” he said.

The joint commission, including the five members of each city’s zoning board or commission, has been meeting on the district since mid-September. About 85 percent of the land area is in Pawtucket, with the remainder in Central Falls.

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