Providence's first food hall to arrive next spring, its destination the old train station
Providence's first food hall is one step closer to reality but still a year away from opening in historical Union Station.
On Monday, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's board of directors unanimously voted to authorize $1 million in redeemable tax credits to One Union Station LLC for its plans to redevelop the ground floor of the old train station as a food hall. The tax credits are through the state’s Rebuild Rhode Island Tax Credit program.
The first rendering of the food hall has also been released. There is still no name attached to the project, which was announced in March 2021 when Marsella Development Corp. purchased the space from the Rhode Island Foundation. The foundation and its tenants continue to occupy the upper floors of the building.
"The unique design criteria of a food hall, with individual kitchens for each vendor, plus the joining of three separate spaces within a historical – and occupied – building, has presented several challenges, from structural to supply chain issues, which we have continued to work through," Chris Marsella, president of Marsella Development, said in a statement.
The scope of what was to be a $22.8-million project at 19,000 square feet has been reduced due to lead times and a need to be more cost effective, he said. It will now occupy 17,000 square feet.
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The now roughly $19.5-million development is to include 7 local merchants, vendor carts, a central bar and seating for more than 300, with an outdoor plaza of an additional 10,000 square feet.
"The already committed merchants will be announced over the coming months and offer a variety of cuisines and backgrounds – and all call Rhode Island home," Marsella said.
Demolition is complete and construction will begin in earnest this summer, he added.
"We plan to open our doors in spring 2024 and will have some exciting updates to share in the coming weeks.”
Marsella Development Corp. was founded in 1979 by Romolo Marsella, Chris's father. He will also be working on the project, although Chris took over leadership of the company in 2008. Romolo Marsella redeveloped the Union Station complex back in the late 1980s, bringing Capital Grille and Raphael's Bar Risto to the space that had been the terminal of Providence's train station for most of the 20th century.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence food hall from Marsella Development Corp still a year away
