Councilwoman Ryan introduced a $6,200,000 infrastructure ordinance for the Benefit Street "Mile of History" historic quarter and urged the council to approve the measure on first reading, saying the work would repair sidewalks, add Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations and restore tree wells.

Ryan cited endorsements from the Governor's Commission on Disabilities, the Providence Street Coalition, AARP and RAMP, and said testimony estimated about $162 million in annual economic stimulus tied to WaterFire and related heritage tourism — figures presented to support the city's investment. She also told colleagues the city could access favorable general obligation bonding at roughly 2.33 percent, a financing cost she and other supporters said would make the project affordable and would save the city money compared with alternative borrowing.

Opponents framed the vote as a matter of equity and historical context. Councilwoman Graves said the council must reckon with past displacement on the East Side and elsewhere — instances she described as forcible removals by eminent domain and other policies — and argued that concentrating bonding in three wards repeats patterns that pushed Black, Cape Verdean and immigrant families out of neighborhoods. "When we start talking about the history, let's talk about that," Graves said, and announced she would vote no.

Other critics focused on process and citywide fairness. Councilman Sanchez said the program creates unequal access to a pool of funding and urged that the same financing tool be available citywide before approving an expensive, targeted project. Councilman Oscar Vargas said the proposal feels like a loan his constituents would help repay, stressing the financing is debt, not a grant.

Supporters urged the council to approve the project while promising oversight and future efforts to spread similar investments. Councilwoman Anabra (as transcribed) and Pro Tem Vicciardo said the project operators had done due diligence, and Vicciardo said the administration and council must hold themselves accountable to ensure the benefits reach other neighborhoods in time. Council members referenced the city's capital improvement planning process as the natural venue to expand the model across other wards.

After debate the clerk called a roll for first reading. The transcript records votes as announced in the roll call: Council President Miller (Aye), Deputy Majority Whip Anderbois (Aye), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Gonzales (Aye), Councilwoman Graves (Aye), Councilwoman Peterson (Nay), Council President Pro Tempore Pichardo (Yea), Councilor Royas (Nay), Councilwoman Ryan (Aye), Majority Whip Sanchez (Nay), Councilwoman Anna Vargas (Absent). The clerk announced a tally of 8 ayes, 5 nays and 1 absent; the motion carried and the ordinance was approved for first reading.

What happens next: the ordinance was approved for its first reading on Dec. 4; further readings, final passage and implementation steps will depend on subsequent council action and administrative scheduling.