Concerns over community engagement and design transparency dominated the Providence Special Committee on HOPE meeting held on September 17, 2025. Council members expressed frustration regarding the lack of timely information about ongoing school design projects, particularly the demolition of a building that had been previously discussed.

During the meeting, officials outlined the design process, emphasizing that all plans must first go through the building committee and public meetings before reaching the council. However, Councilwoman Grace highlighted a recurring issue: the community and council members often feel left in the dark about critical design details. “We shouldn’t have to keep asking for the same thing,” she stated, urging for better communication and transparency.

The discussion revealed that while community engagement meetings had occurred, many residents still felt uninformed about the designs and decisions being made. Council members noted that feedback from these meetings had not been adequately incorporated, leading to dissatisfaction among constituents. “If the community is not getting all the information, then that makes everybody frustrated,” Grace added.

Officials acknowledged the need for improvement in communication, with one member admitting surprise at the community's reaction to the demolition announcement, which had been previously communicated in council sessions. “Somehow that point was missed,” they said, indicating a disconnect between the council's discussions and public understanding.

As the committee moves forward, the emphasis will be on enhancing community engagement and ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and involved in the design process. The next steps will include refining the designs based on community feedback and aligning them with budgetary constraints, aiming to restore trust and collaboration between the council and the community.