Route 195 panel decides on executive director but mum on who

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Ending a six months search, the Route 195 Redevelopment District Commission has chosen its first executive director.

Commission chairman Colin Kane said the the board made up its mind during closed-door meeting Monday night, but won't be releasing the man's name until he formally accepts.

The commission originally went through the job applications of 200 prospective candidates before narrowing the list to four candidates who were interviewed in March.

Besides naming a new director, the commission voted Monday to accept from the state Department of Transportation 20 acres of land that had been under DOT control for the last half-century. The commission also moved ahead with the sale of $38.4 million in bonds to support the redevelopment project.