2004 Candidates' Briefing Book:
Grow Smart compiled an issues briefing book for state and local candidates in the 2004 election. The non-partisan book, entitled "A Strategy For Saving Rhode Island From Sprawl and Urban Decay" advocates major changes in Rhode Island’s approach to economic development, tax policy and growth management.
2004 Candidates' Briefing Book

The Costs of Suburban Sprawl and Urban Decay in Rhode Island
Grow Smart issued a landmark report In early 2000, The Costs of Suburban Sprawl and Urban Decay in Rhode Island. The study includes an extensive examination of growth patterns in Rhode Island over the last 40 years along with 20-year projections about the relative costs of sprawl vs. a more compact, urban oriented type of development. Grow Smart commissioned this study to clarify the growth challenges facing Rhode Island, and to encourage a discussion of the changes that are necessary to strengthen our cities, protect our other special places, and avoid wasting more natural resources and tax dollars. Copies of the full report are available from Grow Smart for $6 to cover postage and handling.
Download Executive Summary.

Quonset Point II
In May of 2002, Grow Smart released an update of its 1999 report on gaps in the planning for the future of Quonset Point Davisville (QPD). Prepared once again by Dan Varin, the Grow Smart report cited eleven planning gaps (including a number originally identified three years earlier) that must be addressed by various state and local agencies to realize QPD’s significant economic potential and preserve a high quality of life in Rhode Island.
Download Report.

Quonset Point I
In May of 1999, a Grow Smart report identified six major gaps in the planning for development of Rhode Island’s largest site for economic activity, Quonset Point Davisville (QPD). This report was prepared by Dan Varin, the former head of Rhode Island Statewide Planning, with assistance from a Grow Smart Task Force.
Download Report.

Ladd School Report
In March of 2001, Grow Smart issued a Policy Resolution and Position Paper on the state’s plans to establish a 3000-employee research and technology park and Job Corps Center at the site of the former Ladd School in Exeter. Through our Ladd Task Force’s research and analysis, we concluded that the proposals for a research and technology park at Ladd represented state subsidized sprawl, unacceptable environmental risk and flawed economics. We recommended alternate sites in more urban locations for new research and technology employment while supporting the Job Corps Center’s completion.
Download Report.

Brownfields Redevelopment
At one time Rhode Island was recognized as a national leader in brownfields redevelopment. This is a vital facet of urban and town center revitalization and of particular importance to our highly industrialized state, where conservative estimates place the number of brownfields above 300. Brownfields redevelopment has achieved a new momentum since our February 2001 conference.
Download Conference Summary and Recommendations.

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