Arts district moves forward
By Tom Shevlin

Jamestown's proposed arts district took a step forward last week when the Town Council, at the meeting of Water and Sewer Commissioners, passed a motion authorizing the submission of legislation to the General Assembly enabling the creation of a tax free arts district. The legislation, drafted by Town Solicitor Peter Ruggeiro, would allow for the formation of a tax free sales district on the island with local authority granted to the town council to determine the project's exact nature and scope.

In addition to Jamestown, several other communities have recently been considering setting up arts districts including Block Island, Bristol, South Kingstown, and Wickford. Currently nine communities throughout the state have such districts including Newport, Little Compton, Westerly, Providence, and Tiverton.