According to Smart Growth America, “Smart growth is a better way to build and maintain our towns and cities. Smart growth means building urban, suburban and rural communities with housing and transportation choices near jobs, shops and schools. This approach supports local economies and protects the environment. At the heart of the American dream is the simple hope that each of us can choose to live in a neighborhood that is beautiful, safe, affordable and easy to get around.”
Marshfield Commons does just that, acting as a Rhode Island model for suburban smart growth. The property features 38 town-house style, 1-3 bedroom affordable rental units scattered among 18 buildings. Built on 6.3 acres of land near the Village of Slatersville, 74% of the property is preserved as open space.
“The architects and engineers worked hard to make this classic New England village environmentally state of the art. This will be affordable workforce housing at its best,” said Robert Ericson, Town Planner for North Smithfield in the press release ahead of the groundbreaking in 2012.
The property opened to tenants in the summer of 2013.
