Mayor names new city planning director

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Providence Mayor Angel Taveras has named a new planning and urban development director.

As head of the planning department RubΘn Flores-Marzßn will oversee the city's development strategies on everything from economic growth to historic preservation.

He served previously as the state planning director in Puerto Rico, where he led the island's central planning agency.

Taveras says Flores-Marzßn brings an impressive portfolio of large-scale planning and development projects and that he'll play a critical role in making the capital more livable and a better place work.

Flores-Marzßn says he's looking forward to working with Taveras to create a "more creative, inclusive, prosperous and sustainable city." He starts work on Feb. 11.