Compared to other central cities, our economy, our neighborhoods, and our people are remarkably strong and resilient. A generation of renewal and reconstruction has placed Providence in the forefront of American cities. In the year 2001, the skyline of the city is undergoing constant change. A billion dollars of investment in the Convention Center and Providence Place will soon be followed by half a billion dollars of new commercial development on nearby locations.
Property values are also on the rise.
The revaluation that we just completed shows a billion-dollar increase in values over the last 13 years. The South Side and the West End posted some of the biggest percentage gains in the city. This is a strong indication that all neighborhoods are benefiting from the Providence Renaissance. Two of the most important factors in the health of a city are the safety of its streets and the quality of its public schools. Progress is being made here as well.