Johnston, RI Citizens Bank officially opened its new corporate campus, bringing together more than 3,000 colleagues in a facility designed to foster collaboration while bringing significant benefits to the local community.
The campus, built on a previously undeveloped parcel of land on the west side of I- 295, comprises 424,000 s/f of office and meeting space, including a call center, as well as ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and trails that will be available for use.
“This beautiful, modern campus provides a foundation for greater teamwork, innovation and efficiency in an environmentally sustainable setting,” said Bruce Van Saun, chairman and CEO, Citizens Financial Group. “We believe that this dynamic work environment will help further connect our colleagues to the bank’s mission and values in meaningful ways.”
“Citizens Bank is a Rhode Island success story, with roots in our state for almost 200 years,” said governor Gina Raimondo. “This beautiful new campus in Johnston is the result of years of collaborative, innovative efforts and is a tangible sign of Citizens’ commitment to our state.”
“I am very excited about Citizens Bank making Johnston their new home. This project is living proof of what happens when the town, the state and a private corporation work together for good, sound economic development,” said mayor Joseph Polisena.
The property was designed to preserve more than 60 acres of trees and wetlands, 50% of the 123-acre site. As part of the project, Citizens remediated a decades-old landfill and integrated wildlife paths for habitat circulation. The bank has also incorporated an extensive storm water system for protection of wetlands and sensitive areas, as well as rainwater harvesting for irrigation of the landscape.
Citizens colleagues will be able to take advantage of amenities including an onsite fitness and wellness center, a cafeteria offering a wide range of healthy food options, and scenic walking trails and sports fields that help promote an active lifestyle. Workstations within the campus were designed to foster teamwork while maximizing natural light.
The project also includes infrastructure improvements along Greenville Ave., including the extension of sewer lines into the area by the Narragansett Bay Commission and the construction of a new exit for Interstate 295, the cost of which was split by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation and Citizens. Colleagues working in the facility are primarily being relocated from a leased facility in Cranston, RI. The Citizens headquarters will remain in Providence. Citizens employs nearly 5,300 colleagues in the state of Rhode Island.
