New England Grassroots Environment Fund
New England Grassroots Environment Fund PO Box 1057 Montpelier, VT 05601 Telephone: 802-223-4622 Fax: 802-229-1734 Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Valley Alliance for Smart Growth (RI)
In This Section
Quick Facts
Contact: Caroly Shumway
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Location: North Smithfield, RI
Issue: Smart Growth, Land Use & Natural Resource Managment
Sub-issue: Big Box Development
Web site: Go to website
Group Resources
Smart Growth Flyer
Dowling Village/Big Box Development Facts
Dowling Village Environmental Impact Fact Sheet
Dowling Village Traffic Impact Fact Sheet
Dowling Village Size Impact Fact Sheet
Questions and Answers About Dowling Village
Impact of Dowling Village on Water Contamination Slideshow
Grow Smart RI Expert Testimony
Local Press on Dowling Village Opposition
Community Opinions re: Dowling Village Development
RI Dept. of Health Source Water Assessment
Booth Pond Conservation Area & Dowling Village Site Map
Blackstone Valley Independent Business Alliance Website
Group Details
Valley Alliance for Smart Growth’s mission is: “We are an alliance of concerned citizens and local businesses pursuing responsible development – development that balances economic growth with the protection of our rural landscape, historic culture, and quality of life.” VASG’s goals are: Creating Vibrant Local Economies; Creating a Sense of Community; Protecting Our Natural and Cultural Resources; Fostering Transparency in Land-Use Planning and Town Governance; and Enhancing Understanding of Smart Growth.
The group’s successes so far include: stopping the proposed retail in Woonsocket, saving numerous small businesses; using traffic and geologist reports to convince the North Smithfield Planning Board to deny the Woonsocket addition of Dowling Village, eliminating 30 acres of proposed development; recommending changes that were approved to the North Smithfield Comprehensive Plan including adding an open space bond, retail size caps, planned village district ordinance, growth centers, and growth management controls; launching two lawsuits against the town for violations of zoning laws; and starting a Buy Local First campaign, culminating in the Blackstone Valley Independent Business Alliance (http://buylocalbv.org).
The group, located in North Smithfield (RI) received its latest NEGEF grant in November 2008 to continue to educate northern RI citizens, town officials and boards about smart growth opportunities, while opposing the environmentally destructive and unsustainable project called Dowling Village, a 137-acre big box retail development. Funding was used to pay for expert fees and public outreach during the upcoming Dowling Village Preliminary Plan hearings.