The major revitalization of Knightsville will commence after the St. Mary’s Day feast this July, and the city plans to take some initial steps in construction this spring by removing Knightsville’s six street lights by the gazebo and feast society and installing them along the walkway between City Hall and the Cranston Public Schools District building on Park Avenue.

The city’s revitalization efforts for Knightsville include making the area resemble  Itri, Italy, since Knightsville has a rich Itrani heritage and Cranston is a sister city to Itri. The administration plans to recreate a pocket park, redo the sidewalks by pressing the concrete so it looks like stone and installing street lights similar to those in Itri. Knightsville is part of Hopkins’ revitalization efforts for Cranston and is the next project following Pawtuxet Village and Rolfe Square.

The city is still discussing when the new lights will be installed after the old one are taken down.

Repurposing the lights next to City Hall is part of efforts to connect the City Hall parking lot to Rolfe Square. Mayor Ken Hopkins hopes to have the lighting installed by the end of April – just in time for the Park Theatre’s first comedy show at the end of the month. Additionally, Hopkins would like to cut and lay red, synthetic turf along the walkway to resemble a red carpet for when people park behind City Hall and walk to the Park Theatre to see a show. The material – similar to what you would see for a field’s turf – would be easy to maintain and can be cleared of debris with a leaf blower. Hopkins said they just need to find the money for this part of the project since the lighting repurposing is all being done in house.

Chief of Staff Anthony Moretti said the turf expands beyond the Park Theatre and invites individuals into Rolfe Square. The administration discussed having an Octoberfest within Rolfe Square where the city would close the street and set up tents for the occasion – similar to Pawtuxet Village events. Public parking behind City Hall is free and available to the public after City Hall hours (which end at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays).