Scott Avedisian, Mayor of Warwick

It’s hard to believe we’re in the dusk of another year. As autumn slowly gives way to winter, it is always good to reflect and celebrate all the positive milestones another year has brought us. Shortly, we will turn our attention to the hustle and bustle of another holiday season, yet it is important to take a minute to give thanks and reflect on all the good that has happened in 2016.

Once again, our summer season in Warwick was top-notch. We welcomed many family and budget-friendly events and activities to our ever-growing list of summer fun. From movies in the park at Rocky Point, Food Truck Nights, cruise nights, our summer concert series, fireworks and so much more, the city was energized all summer long.

We also welcome many new businesses to the city over the past year. From a new graphic design studio, real estate offices, Rhode Island’s first-ever veteran affairs office, to jewelry stores and new eateries, Warwick’s economic engine continues to move full steam ahead. The Apponaug Bypass project remains ahead of schedule and on budget. The westbound side of the Veterans Memorial Extension is now open to traffic and there is two-way traffic on one stretch of Post Rd. As more changes are implemented in the coming weeks, it is exciting to see the decades-old traffic problem in Apponaug begin to give way to a restored, pedestrian-friendly, seaside neighborhood. With the addition of a hotel, restaurants, and commercial and residential spaces, the village is well on its way to becoming a central and usable area of the city.

Construction at T.F. Green continues to move right along. With the new Main Ave. in place and the runway expansion underway, Warwick will soon be able to offer longer haul flights to the customers they serve. The expansion will also help enhance efficiency of the New England Regional Airport System and help passenger leakage to other regional airports. With newly added season, service to Frankfurt, Germany and Ponta Delgada, Azores, as well as Chicago, T.F. Green offers a gamut of travel solutions to its frequent flyers.

Work at Rocky Point continues, too. In September, a freshly painted arch was unveiled at the park. The arch, which made its way to Rocky Point from Chicago many years ago, was one of the 11 original arches at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. The arch, which represented “archways to understanding” was the iconic parks entrance and exit until the park closed. Now it stands revitalized as an iconic focal point of the park. In addition to the newly painted arch, a new bike path and extended walking path are currently under construction. Both are slated to be complete by spring.

Some of the city’s best news came from a recent survey conducted by WalletHub. Warwick was ranked nationally as the 28^th best run city in the country. Additionally, another survey also conducted by WalletHub ranked Warwick the best Rhode Island city to live, landing in the 70^th percentile overall. More good news from the city came from GoLocalProv’s annual “Best Communities” list for 2016 where Warwick ranked 4^th overall. These surveys undoubtedly reflect just some of the reasons why Warwick is so beloved by those who are lucky enough to call it home.

As we head towards the final chapter of 2016, let us not forget all the work and many accomplishments that made this year such a great success. As our attention turns to yuletide joy, let us pause and reflect on the year that was and remember that we are so fortunate to live in country that allows us to reach new levels of growth and prosperity.

Scott Avedisian is the mayor of Warwick.