PROVIDENCE — The revolving door at Mayor David N. Cicilline’s City Hall continues to turn, now welcoming new arrivals to replace a number of longtime Cicilline aides — and at least one temporary hire may speak to the fate of the land to be uncovered by the move of Route 195.

Cicilline has recently brought Matthew G. Stark into the fold as the city’s new top lobbyist, Leo J. Perotta as a senior adviser, and former state Economic Development Corporation executive Rick Reed to a position in the city’s Planning Department, where he may be involved in determining what happens to the 195 land.

Stark replaces Garry Bliss, who departed to become one of the heads of The Clarendon Group, a Providence-based public relations firm. Perotta fills the spot of Chris Bizzacco, Cicilline’s 2002 mayoral campaign manager who left to pursue a degree at the Kennedy School of Government.

On top of those changes, longtime friend Lisa Pontarelli, who ran several of Cicilline’s House campaigns and was active in his political organization, left her city position last month. Pontarelli had been director of senior services for much of Cicilline’s tenure, but had served in other roles for the past year.

These changes follow the recent moves of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephanie Federico to the School Department, and the retirement of License Administrator Richard H. Aitchison. Director of Community Relations Serena Conley was then moved to take over Aitchison’s job. City Collector Robert Ceprano was also placed on leave last month as part of an investigation into a tax issue involving Cicilline’s brother, John.

The additions of Stark and Perotta fill several significant holes for Cicilline, but Reed’s arrival may say more about the city’s plans on its most important land issue: the future of the 19.2 acres of developable downtown land to be uncovered after Route 195 is fully removed in 2012.

The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce plans today to release a study — financed partly by the city’s colleges and hospitals — that will outline how Providence can grow its knowledge-based economy, which includes jobs connected to medical, academic, digital media and environmental technologies industries, among others.

Reed has been hired by the city on a six-month contract to help achieve the goals outlined in the study, according to city Planning Director Thomas E. Deller.

The EDC, Reed’s former employer, will jointly decide the best use for the 195 land along with the state Department of Transportation and the city. EDC Director Saul Kaplan has consistently said that high-rise office development and the growth of the state’s knowledge-based economy are the best uses for the land.

Both Brown University and Johnson & Wales University own land adjacent to the 195 land, and both have had talks with city and state officials regarding the property. Brown has recently expanded into the nearby Jewelry District to grow its medical school. Johnson & Wales has submitted specific plans for a massive campus expansion on much of the land.

Deller wouldn’t comment on whether Reed’s arrival, coinciding with the study, means that the institutions would be occupying large chunks of the 195 land. He did say that the city wants Reed to focus on “how to use the institutions to create jobs.”

Reed started two weeks ago, Deller said.

Stark arrived Monday, and will be the city’s top on-staff lobbyist before the General Assembly. The city also employs Chris Vitale’s Capitol City Group for lobbying purposes.

Like Bliss before him, Stark will also work on special projects, shepherding transit, environmental and policy initiatives toward completion.

“I’m going to have to leverage my experience with the process and my experience bringing people together to move us forward,” Stark said.

Stark, a former principal policy associate in the state Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner, said he plans to get started soon on the city’s 2009 legislative package for the General Assembly. While it was reasonably successful this past year, Providence has traditionally had trouble getting its legislation passed at the Assembly level, and Stark said he hopes getting the package in early could help in that.

“From my perspective, the earlier we get stuff in, the better. People don’t like getting stuff too late,” he said.

Cicilline issued a statement praising Stark earlier this week.

“Matthew Stark recognizes the enormous potential of government to impact positively on people’s lives through innovative, strategic urban policies,” Cicilline said. “He also recognizes the value of partnership and possesses a unique ability to bring people together and build consensus around important issues.”

Perotta took over for Bizzacco as a senior adviser at the end of the summer. Since his arrival, he has played a “free safety” role, dealing with multiple projects as issues arise.

“I’m loving it. It’s a little of everything, and that’s good,” Perotta said of his new job.

Perotta is well known in North Providence, where he spent nine years as chief of staff to then-Mayor Salvatore Mancini, and later worked as planning director and zoning official, and chief of staff again for subsequent administrations. He has also worked for Tritown Community Action.

dbarbari@projo.com