The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bally’s Event Lawn, a 45,000-square-foot area of open space located within the 7-acre 195 District Park in Providence, was hosted on Aug. 9. The area preserves a “critical area of downtown open space for generations to come,” officials said. On hand were Gov. Dan McKee; Lt. Gov. Sabina Matos; Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi; Sen. Frank Ciccone; City of Providence Mayor Brett Smiley; Marc Crisafulli, Chair, I-195 Redevelopment District Commission; and Craig Eaton, President, Rhode Island Operations for Bally’s Corporation. “Bally’s is pleased to sponsor this section of the 195 District Park and preserve it as open space for all to enjoy,” said Eaton. “In addition to serving as an outdoor area for workday respite and neighborhood gatherings, it is our hope that the space will serve as an ideal location for special events, a celebration of the diverse Providence culture and a center of downtown outdoor activity.” Gov. McKee said, “We know consumer demand for vibrant, walkable downtown cities in which to live and work … the success of the Redevelopment District is a result of its unique public-private partnership and a cornerstone of the State’s revitalization strategy to attract new industry and new housing to our capital city. I am grateful to Bally’s for its commitment to preserve this beautiful open space and help to fulfill the mission of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission.”