Residents invited to speak on proposed Western Cranston development

CRANSTON, R.I. - City officials are inviting residents to comment on a plan by a major developer to build an upscale retail, office and apartment complex in Western Cranston.

City Council members are considering a zoning change to allow the project, called The Lodges at Phenix Glen, to go forward. A special hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Cranston High School East auditorium.

The Procaccianti Group says the development, which includes 192 apartments, retail space and a clubhouse, is a good fit for the Phenix Avenue site, an abandoned sand and gravel pit.

But some neighbors worry the complex would jam traffic on Natick and Phenix Avenues. They say the project is at odds with the older suburban neighborhood.