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Rhode Island justices hear Providence council’s challenge to downtown tax deal
The Providence City Council is seeking to intervene in a tax arrangement involving 10 downtown properties owned by Cornish Associates. The dispute includes the city’s accusation that the developer exploited an affordable-housing law to secure tax breaks.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court heard arguments this week over whether the Providence City Council can intervene in a tax deal affecting 10 downtown properties owned by Cornish Associates, the real estate firm of Arnold “Buff” Chace.
The arrangement was made by the administration of former Mayor Jorge Elorza. Providence has accused the developer of using an affordable-housing law to “scam” the city, according to the allegations described in the dispute.
The council’s effort to intervene puts the deal before the state’s highest court. The properties are located in downtown Providence, but the available information does not detail the tax terms or the justices’ questions during arguments.