As you may know, after 18 wonderful years as mayor of the City of Warwick, Tuesday, May 15th, will be my last official day in office. Though the decision to leave a job and a city that I love so much is bittersweet, I will remain forever grateful to all the people who made my tenure as mayor some of the best years of my life. 

Over the past several weeks, I have spent much time reflecting on all the changes that have taken place since I came into office back in 2000. It is truly incredible to think about some  of the major achievements and milestones that have been accomplished. In 18 years, we have created hundreds of jobs, preserved open spaces, protected and improved our quality of life, balanced our budgets, lessened bonded indebtedness and preserved our high bond rating. 

In addition to the many fiscal accomplishments achieved over the last decade and a half, I am extremely proud of several key projects that have been the cornerstone of my administration. Chief among them are the preservation of Rocky Point into a protected, family-friendly, open space that all future generations will be able to enjoy. With additions like the newly refurbished arch, an extended walking path, a new bike path, fishing pier and informational kiosks, visitors can reminisce about the bygone era, while still enjoying the majestic beauty of one of the most beloved landmarks in the city. Another key goal of my administration was the revamping of the outdated roadway system in Apponaug Village. The Apponaug Bypass project, which transformed the once congested seaside village into a user-friendly, two-way road system, now makes travel in and around Apponaug easier than ever before. By eliminating crowded streets and revamping traffic patterns, the area has been restored to the pedestrian-friendly, waterfront village it once was. Now, businesses are able to better accommodate customers, restaurants are more accessible and on-street parking is now more abundantly available. City Centre also continues to grow and thrive. With the imminent opening of the new Hyatt Place Hotel and the Gamm Theatre, City Centre and its growing economic development engine will always remain one of my proudest endeavors. Breathing life back into an area of the city that was once forgotten is indicative of the hardworking people in my administration. 

I could go on forever about the many exciting projects, milestones and accomplishments we have enjoyed in the last 18 years. Suffice to say there has been an abundance of them. However, none of these successes would have been possible without so many dedicated people working behind the scenes. I will always remain grateful for your unwavering support and encouragement. Thank you for your friendship and your steadfast belief in what my administration has accomplished for our community. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as your mayor.

Thank you.

Scott Avedisian is the mayor of Warwick.