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Providence to Create New Historic Landmarks District
Broad Street Synagogue from the Providence Preservation Society’s 2014 Ten Most Endangered Properties list. Photo ...
383 West Fountain Street Renovations
Way, way, way back in 2005 in the UrbanPlanet days, Armory Revival had plans for a new building at this site. As with many things in the middle of the last decade, that didn’t happen. Fast forward to today though and Armory Revival is doing a nice renovation of the block.
From their website:
This quirky collection of one and two story brick industrial buildings is quietly being transformed into one of the busiest places in the city by The Armory Revival Company. The 40,000 square foot former Waterman Stables and Combination Ladder Company buildings, featuring fabulous skylights, exposed ductwork, wood beams, private entrances and flexible, efficient floor plates are being developed for a variety of office and commercial uses. Modest rents, abundant on-site parking and immediate access to Interstate 95, Downcity and the Hospitals make this Westminster Crossing location a fantastic choice for your business. 383 West Fountain Street is now home to the most successful Planet Fitness in New England and Riverwood Mental Health Services.
There’s a floorplan on the site which is a little hard to read as displayed, but you can get an idea of the building.
It is nice to see some action happening in what I like to call the Near West Side.
Providence to Create New Historic Landmarks District
Broad Street Synagogue from the Providence Preservation Society’s 2014 Ten Most Endangered Properties list. Photo by Jesse Burke for PPS.
As part of the Re: Zoning process, the City of Providence has designated a new historic landmarks district. Also, the City will remove buildings which have been demolished form the Industrial and Commercial Buildings District; which begs the question, why is there and ICBD if buildings in it are getting demolished? From the City:
City of Providence to Create Historic Landmarks District to Preserve Properties
New designation protects historic properties outside boundaries of existing historic districts; residents should seek designation by August 11, 2014
Mayor Angel Taveras announced today the City of Providence will create a new Historic Landmarks District to strengthen its preservation efforts and as part of the city’s Zoning Ordinance revision.
“We are working creatively to preserve Providence’s historic architecture,” said Mayor Taveras. “The new Providence Landmarks District will protect individual properties that having historic significance but that are not within local historic districts.”
The Providence Landmarks District will be composed primarily of residential and ecclesiastical buildings, function like other City historic districts, and include design review and demolition protections. The owners of these historic sites, such as those that have been recognized by the Providence Preservation Society, can ask that their property be designated as a Providence Landmark and request their building be included in the new district. Property owners interested in having their building designated should contact the Department of Planning and Development before August 11, 2014.
In addition to creating the Landmarks District, the City is modifying two of its existing historic districts: the Industrial and Commercial Buildings District and the Jewelry Local Historic District. Changes include adding about 30 properties to the Industrial and Commercial Buildings District, removing properties that have been demolished, and removing overlapping jurisdiction with the Downtown Design Review Committee in Downtown.
Broadway Cyclovía – July 27, 2014
Join Mayor Angel Taveras and the City of Providence on Sunday, July 27 for a car-free event that will open up Broadway for walking, skating, running, cycling and exercise. Free and open to the public! Featuring Zumba, bike activities, street vendors and more!
The event will take place on Broadway from Dean St. to Courtland St.
Local partners include the City of Providence’s Healthy Communities Office and Office of Sustainability, Walgreens, Zipcar, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
For more information visit ProvidenceRI.com.
Full disclosure: I am a member of the Providence Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
City Plan Commission Meeting – July 29, 2014
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City Plan Commission Meeting Tuesday, July 29, 2014 – 4:45pm 444 Westminster Street, First Floor |
Opening Session
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Approval of minutes from June 17th meeting – for action
- Approval of minutes from July 15th – for action
- Director’s Report
City Council Referral
1. Referral No. 3379 – Petition to abandon a portion of Amherst Street The petitioner is requesting to abandon a portion of the width of Amherst Street between 125 Amherst Street (AP 62 Lot 274) and 120 Amherst Street (AP 62 Lot 284) – for action (Olneyville)
2. Referral 3380 – Amendment of the Charles Street Renewal Project Plan Review of the amendment for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan. The amendment proposes expansion of the boundaries of the project area and targets certain blighted properties for acquisition – for action (Charles)
Minor Subdivision
3. Case No. 14-023 MI – 52 Sussex Street The applicant is requesting to subdivide a lot at 52 Sussex Street measuring approximately 11,276 SF into two lots measuring 5,433 SF and 5,821 SF – for action (AP 76 Lot 358, Wanskuck)
Public Heariing – Major Land Development Project
4. Case No. 13-039MA – 48-54 Plainfield Street and 4-14 Atwood Street (Preliminary Plan Approval) The applicant is seeking preliminary plan approval to construct a free standing fast food restaurant with a drive through and a free standing retail department store on a vacant commercial lot. The applicant received relief from the Zoning Board of Review for front yard setbacks and a special use permit for a drive through use. A total of 56 parking spaces are proposed for the development, which measures approximately 64,295 SF. Public comment will be taken – for action (AP 105 Lots 46, 47, 66, 98, 99, 100, Olneyville)
See also: The suburbanization of Olneyville
Re: Zoning Providence
5. Update on Re: Zoning Providence A review of the organization and content of the draft zoning ordinance – for discussion
Adjournment
→ PBN: I-195 commission hears two more pitches, ‘moving ahead’ on 2 others
The Interstate 195 Redevelopment Commission Monday heard presentations from two developers with plans for the east side of the former highway land. Royal Oaks LLC, a group led by Richard Baccari II, vice president of Providence-based Churchill & Banks, is pitching a project south of Wickenden Street, adjacent to existing Churchill & Banks properties in […]
Election 2014: Mayoral Candidates Surveys
Back in 2010 we did Mayoral Candidate Surveys (Angel Taveras, John Lombardi); with 50 days left until the Primary, it is time for us to do it again. As in 2010, this year we are seeking your input on those surveys. We will be sending surveys to the candidates for Providence Mayor by the end […]
Photo: Strasbourg, France
Photo (cc) michallon Imagine if this street in Strasbourg, France was Route 2 in Cranston or North Main Street in Providence. Le sigh.
→ ProJo: Providence City Council OKs tax treaty revision for Capitol Cove development
ProJo reports that the City Council has approved a tax-stabilization agreement for the Capitol Cove building in Capital Center. The building will continue to house Johnson & Wales dormitories but the developer hopes to build a 169-unit apartment building next door. The City Council gave initial approval Wednesday night to change in a tax treaty […]
195 Redevelopment District Commission Meetings – July 21 and 23, 2014
A meeting of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission will be held at Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, 315 Iron Horse Way, Providence, Rhode Island, on MONDAY, JULY 21, 2014, beginning at 5 P.M., for the following purposes I. Public Session Welcome by Chairperson: Chairperson Colin Kane. Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meetings Held on […]
→ WJAR: New apartments coming soon behind Garden City
“It’s our belief that there is a movement out away from the big suburban house. People want to live in the heart of something where they can be a part of the community and where they have all the amenities and access to all the great things that are happening at Garden City,” said Jordan […]
Providence Geeks – July 16, 2014
Providence Geeks Wednesday, July 16th, 5:30 – 8pm AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence, RI FREE (buy your own food and drink – it’s cheap) RSVP at Facebook Hey! Wednesday is the last Geek Dinner of the summer! (Like all self-respecting RI’ers, we take August off.) Over the past couple of years, Providence Geeks has been […]
News & Notes
Snowy evening in Helsinki, image (cc) Niklas Sjöblom → The Guardian: Helsinki’s ambitious plan to make car ownership pointless in 10 years The Finnish capital has announced plans to transform its existing public transport network into a comprehensive, point-to-point “mobility on demand” system by 2025 – one that, in theory, would be so good nobody […]
Sign-up for Providence Park(ing) Day
Providence businesses and residents can now sign up to be part of Providence’s Second Annual Park(ing) Day, which this year falls Friday, September 19th. Park(ing) Day will feature the state’s first ever temporary protected bike lane from Dean Street to Tobey on Broadway. We hope the temporary installation will start a conversation on permanent changes […]
Downtown Design Review Committee Meeting – July 14, 2014
Downtown Design Review Committee Monday, July 14, 2014 – 4:45pm Department of Planning and Development, 1st Floor Conference Room 444 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903 Opening Session Call to Order Roll Call Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2014 and June 9, 2014 New Business 159 Weybosset Street. Image from Google Street View. 1. […]
RIPTA to relocate buses out of Kennedy Plaza to accommodate construction starting July 12, 2014
From RIPTA: RIPTA to Temporarily Relocate Bus Stops Out of Kennedy Plaza to Accommodate City of Providence Construction All Routes Detoured Out of Kennedy Plaza Beginning Saturday, July 12, 2014 The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will temporarily relocate all bus stops out of Kennedy Plaza beginning Saturday, July 12, 2014 to accommodate City […]
GC: Photos
Flickr totally changed the sharing function on their website, and frankly it sucks and causes me to have to rewrite a bunch of code to properly share people’s photos, and a bunch of great photographers who share in our group have changed their share settings; so I haven’t done a GC: Photos post in quite […]
195 Redevelopment District Commission Meeting – July 9, 2014
A meeting of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission will be held at Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, 315 Iron Horse Way, Providence, Rhode Island, on WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2014, beginning at 5 P.M., for the following purposes Public Session Call to Order Pavilion: Discussion and Recommendations for Program of Uses for the built structure in the […]
→ ProJo: Route 195 panel seeks more park designs for former highway land in Providence
Landscape architects and designers offered plenty of images to the Route 195 Redevelopment District Commission Monday night of what the public parks on the now-vacant former highway land might become, noting at times that they’ve made some changes over the last 8-1/2 months to reduce the cost to build the parks. But as the commissioners […]
