Greater City: Providence

Indiearts Fest seeks volunteers:

The second annual IndieArts Fest will take place in downtown Providence’s Kennedy Plaza from 1pm to 1am on Saturday, July 18. The Fest celebrates locally and independently produced art, music, performance, and handmade crafts. Highlights will include the Red Bull Music Academy’s mini-workshop and performance tunnel, the Fountain of Youth Skate Park, General Burnside’s Best Facial Hair Contest, Providence Roller Derby, the Indie-Brew Beer Garden, and a marketplace for a variety of local vendors. Entertainment will be provided by an eclectic mix of artists, DJs, dancers, and filmmakers.

We are seeking volunteers for customer service, ticket and merchandise sales, beverage management, stage set-up, etc. For more information on volunteering, please visit http://www.indieartsfest.com or contact Elena Weissman.

For more information about the IndieArts Fest, please contact Tim O’Keefe.

Photo by Jef Nickerson

Metropolis Magazine profiles three French designers who propose installing wind turbines on existing transmission towers.

[Nic­ola] Delon, who is 31 and an architect, is the recip­ient of Metropolis’s 2009 Next Generation prize, along with Julien Choppin, also a 31-year-old architect, and Raphaël Ménard, a 34-year-old engineer. Their project, Wind-it, addresses this year’s theme—which beseeched entrants to “Fix Our Energy Addiction”—with the effortless simpli­city of a Pythagorean proof. The team proposes inserting wind turbines into existing electrical towers or, where infrastructure is broken or spare, building new towers that double as wind-power generators, thus introducing a fount of renewable energy into an aspect of civilization that’s as certain as taxes. With three potential sizes, the turbine towers could be integrated nearly anywhere: Lille, France, China’s Sichuan Province, or the streets of New York City.

…or the waterfront of Providence, Rhode Island.

The India Point Waterfront would be the ideal location to install wind turbines on existing transmission towers. However happily, there is a plan to remove the transmission towers in this location and put the wires underground. Under the plan, the towers would be removed across the Seekonk River toward the East Providence Waterfront (making way for redevelopment proposals on the East Providence side of the river). The towers skirting the Metacomet Country Club in East Providence would remain. Where the power lines are strung along Lyon Avenue and Fort Street in East Providence is a high point at the head of the bay that may collect enough wind to make such turbines feasible.

Aerial image from Bing maps

Back on the Providence waterfront, we want the transmission towers gone, that is the best outcome for the area for sure. However, we need not remove all the towers, they are perfectly functional infrastructure. We could keep the two towers on Tockwotton Street for example and retrofit them with wind turbines.

If we have existing infrastructure that can be put to positive use, I say use it. The towers on Tockwotton are outside the park along the edge of the highway. What better entrance to Providence than working wind generators? Recycling infrastructure to create green energy seems an apt project for the Creative Capital.

Photo by Jef Nickerson

The Providence Journal reports today on a RI Supreme Court decision that has both sides in the Grove Street School saga claiming victory.

The Supreme Court ruling overturns a lower court decision ordering the City to issue a demolition permit for the partially demolished former school house. The demolition order was stayed when the city appealed to the Supreme Court, which ruled that the city should not be ordered to demolish the building, but that it should be declared unsafe. Generally, when a building is declared by the city to be unsafe, the next step has been to demolish it (see The Old Pubic Safety Complex and Old Fruit and Produce Warehouse).

So where exactly does this leave the Grove Street School? The Journal quotes Michael Tarro, an assistant city solicitor and one of the surviving children of Richard Tarro who bought the building from the city in 1993 as saying, “If something could be done to restore it, I would do it. But all the engineering and data I have shows that it would be impossible financially to rehabilitate.” The Tarros wanted to tear down the school to provide parking for their funeral home business across the street. However, during the trial, the City produced expert witnesses who testified just the opposite, and the Court ruled that the building should not be ordered demolished.

The WBNA has taken a lead on trying to find parties interested in redeveloping the building. The Journal quotes Anne Taite, President of the WBNA, “there is a lot of potential for redesign now that it has been partially torn down. It’s an opportunity to merge a new, modern style with the old.”

I like what Anne is saying here, it is what I have seen for the future of the building. As Vicki Veh, interim president of the Providence Preservation Society stated to the Journal, the habit of demolition by neglect has to stop in Providence. The Grove Street School can and should be where we the residents drew a line in the sand and told the City enough. Hold property owners responsible and stop letting our architectural heritage melt away. The school with a clearly modern appendage healing the demolition wound could be a monument to that insistence. It could visually speak to this being the last time we let this happen.

This video is actually kind of annoying, much better photos from the Chicago Sun-Times here. And some cool photos from Flickr here, here, here, here, and here.

From the Sears Tower website:

The Ledge brings an exhilarating new experience to the Skydeck. At 1,353 feet up, The Ledge’s glass boxes extend out 4.3 feet from the skyscraper’s Skydeck on the 103rd floor, providing never-before-seen views of the city. An unmatched view is not all the Skydeck offers. From the moment visitors arrive they enjoy interactive and educational attractions that not only highlight the iconic landmark, but also celebrate Chicago’s sports, architecture, pop-culture, history, food, music and people.

More info and tickets at: providencerollerderby.com.

Photo by Jef Nickerson

The Mayor’s Office is asking residents to fill out a brief survey about their park usage:

We will use this information as a basis for community meetings in the fall that will focus on merging the Parks Department and the Recreation Department to provide better open space and recreational programming to our residents.

The survey is here.

Photo by Jef Nickerson

Well, August actually, but the good news here is; YEAR ROUND CRAFTLAND! Abby Saunders interviews Deb Dormody on the Live Downcity Blog and has all the details.

Visit the Craftland Blog where I’m sure there will be more details posted as they work on getting the new store open. Craftland will live at it’s usual holiday location at 235 Westminster Street at the corner of Union Street.

The July 4th weekend comes upon us once again, and like many other traditions of our day, Smith Hill will be host to the grandest neighborhood party in all the land, the 10th annual LibertyFest!

This annual event hits it’s decade mark this year, and will be located in a new location, West Park Street. With 22 bands going from noon on to the late evening (10 – 11ish), you get to catch the full spectrum of Providence’s music scene, and even some friendly visitors from across the northeast. Having brought memorable performances in the past from such bands as Mahi Mahi, Deer Tick, What Cheer? Brigade, and other high-caliber locals, this year’s line-up seems fit to carry the torch in superb fashion, and has three stages on which to do it. Red Hat Records has taken the task of arranging the bill this year, and has succeeded fantastically in assuring the cream of the crop from nearly every genre. There will also be activities for children ( and the young at heart ) as well, so this is an awesome event for families.

Beer will be all local, and is being provided by Narragansett Brewing Company, Block Island Blonde, and Basement Brew. The volume has always seemed enough, but this years reserves seem to be of an astounding quantity. Oh yeah, did I mention this is all free?

Food will be potluck, so feel free to contribute your own specialties, or mooch off of others as you wish. It’s a karma payment plan sort of thing. The roasting an entire goat over an open fire will carry on this year as well, a tradition that has almost become a symbol of the event, or at least a commonly told detail in many stories.

The line-up of acts is as follows, in no particular order:

• White Mice

• The Butcherings
• The Viennagram
• Llove
• The Warmingtons
• Blizzard of ‘78
• Brownbird Rudy Relic
• Midnight Mongo Sound System
• Slave
• Valu-Pak
• Orb Mellon
• Triangle Forest, GlassAndSteel, Pet Set, Chris Rosenquest, Vibe Police, Caroline Hecht, Chris Hansen, Industrial Sonic Echo, Brokedown Serenade, The Atlantic Thrills, and The DEM.

If you’ve never been to LibertyFest, it’s a must that you attend at some point in your life. Living in Providence, I’m sure we’ve all come to learn that outdoor music in the summer is quite possibly one of the best things about this city, and this is one of it’s premier examples.

View Larger Map

More, at the facebook page.

Mt. Hope Bridge photo by takfoto from Flickr

ProJo reports that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority is proposing raising tolls on the Newport-Pell Bridge and reinstituting tolls on the Mt. Hope Bridge (tolls were removed from the Mt. Hope Bridge in 1998).

The toll to cross the Newport span would increase from $2 to $4 for those paying cash. For those with E-ZPass transponders from out of state, the toll would go up even more, from $1.75 to $4. Tolls for commercial vehicles would increase $1 per axle.

In-state E-ZPass users would continue to pay 83¢ per crossing and out of state E-ZPass commuters ho use the bridge at least 30 times per month will continue to be charged 91¢.

The Authority says it needs the toll increases to help maintain the bridges in the future and prevent a $223 million budget shortfall from materializing over the next 20 years.

While we are not opposed to tolls, we think the toll stick needs to be accompanied by a carrot. See: Tolls: A stick with no carrot. Only so many cars can possibly fit on Aquidneck Island. Ensuring we have robust transit options; bus, boat, rail to the island can be that carrot. It should be possible for island visitors and workers to leave their cars in Kingston or Fall River for example and be shuttled onto the island.

RIPTA Route 14, which runs between T.F. Green and Newport, does offer park n’ ride facilities at Routes 138 & 1A just at the mainland side of the Jamestown Bridge, and at First Ave. and Post Road in East Greenwich. However there are some issues. One, marketing, do people even know this option exists? Two, schedule, it has a healthy number of scheduled buses at rush hour, but overall it only makes 17 trips per weekday (and only 6 on Saturday, and none on holidays and Sundays, total FAIL for tourists). Three, marketing, yes marketing is one, but it can’t be stated enough. If the Newport Visitors bureau would push options that had visitors leaving their cars on the mainland, people might actually do it.

It is no secret that the state is in a budget black hole. If the Turnpike and Bridge Authority needs tolls to keep it out of the budget abyss, then I say jack the tolls. But let’s gets some carrots to reduce congestion on the island, reduce pressure on the bridges, and reduce green house gas emissions.

Yes sir. I like that sign, very nice.

Are those lights up there, is it illuminated at night? Please.

Photos by Jef Nickerson

Photo by Jef Nickerson

Sigh. Where to start, let’s start at the top.

“No Parking Here to Corner”

First, why do we need this sign on every corner? Most other municipalities make this plain with yellow markings on the curb. Second, RI General Law § 31-21-4 states that there is no parking or stopping “[w]ithin twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” The city has a $25 fine for parking within 25 feet of a corner [section 15.2]. This sign is not 20 feet or 25 feet from the corner of Aborn Street (or is that Don Imus Way?) , so why is the sign here?

“Handicapped Parking Permit Required”

Well, no problem with that really. The disabled may not like being referred to as handicapped anymore though, Differently Abled Parking maybe?

“RIPTA Bus Stop”

Oh, wait a second. I’m not finding the actual law that prohibits parking at a bus stop (and the bus stop sign does not say “No Parking”) but there is a $30 fine for parking at a bus stop [section 15.2].

So, is it a handicapped parking space within 25 feet of a corner or is it a bus stop? All uses are wrong, and a bus stop and handicapped parking sign can’t exist in the same space, especially not within 25 (or 20, take your pick) feet of a corner (though a bus stop could exist within 20 or 25 feet of a corner). FAIL.

But all of this is moot, wanna know why?

Photo by Jef Nickerson

BECAUSE THERE IS A GIANT TRAILER PARKED HERE!

Wha!?

Gee, wonder if the bus driver can see me as I stand behind this giant trailer. DOUBLE FAIL!

2007 4th of July fireworks | Photo by Jef Nickerson

Fireworks have been going off here on Federal Hill for the better part of a month (seriously, there’s a guy on Federal Street who puts on a show that rivals New York’s), but the official fireworks display is set for July 4th, this year at India Point Park.

Mayor’s Office press release:

Mayor David N. Cicilline announced today that the City of Providence and the Providence Tourism Council will sponsor an Independence Day Celebration on July 4th at India Point Park which will include performances by Providence’s own RPM Voices, The Carlos de León Band and a spectacular fireworks display at (approximately 9:15 pm).

The Independence Day Celebration will kick off at 7:30pm with a performance by RPM Voices, a community choral group with members ranging in age from 13 to 94. The group will present a program of inspirational and patriotic songs.

The Carlos de León Band takes center stage at 8:15pm. Trumpet player Carlos de León fuses the music of his native Dominican Republic with the sounds of Cuba, Brazil, and Puerto Rico to create jazz, salsa, and samba. With his clear sense of history, the Latin jazz master nurtures the Afro-Latino connection with a variety of cultures in his music.

The celebration will end in traditional Independence Day style, with a fireworks display lighting up the sky above India Point Park at dark (approximately 9:15 pm).

The Independence Day concerts and fireworks in India Point Park on July 4th are free and open to the public. The event is presented and sponsored by Mayor David N. Cicilline, the Department of Art, Culture & Tourism, the Providence Parks Department, and the Providence Tourism Council.

Rep. Edwin Pacheco (D-District 47, Burrillville, Glocester) proposed yesterday the creation of a Transportation Review Council.

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Edwin R. Pacheco has introduced legislation that would create a council led by the lieutenant governor to coordinate transportation policy for the state.

The Transportation Review Council would issue recommendations to the governor and the Department of Transportation regarding transportation issues such as quality and standards of Rhode Island’s transportation system, adequacy of funding, staffing, and enforcement of regulations. The council, of which the lieutenant governor would serve as chairperson, would also be empowered to establish subcommittees to investigate special areas of concern and issue reports to the findings to the council as a whole.

Representative Pacheco (D-Dist. 47, Burrillville, Glocester), who served as cochairman of a joint commission that studied public transportation for about two years and proposed legislation (2009-H 6337) aimed at making the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority a more viable transportation option for all residents, said he introduced this legislation because he believes there needs to be a more comprehensive approach to the state’s transportation planning and policies.

“We have a state agency that is concerned with building and maintaining roads and bridges, another that is concerned with buses, another for the airports, and various city, state, and town agencies that are concerned with planning for development. What we need is an effort to look at the big picture and bring parties from all these places together so they’re working in concert. This council will lead to greater efficiency, better communication and better coordination so transportation in Rhode Island is improved in sensible ways,” said Representative Pacheco.

The council would consist of 12 members. One would be the lieutenant governor, who would serve as the council’s chairperson. The governor, the lieutenant governor, the Senate president and the House speaker would each appoint two other members, and the Secretary of State, the General Treasurer and the director of the Department of Transportation would each appoint one.

By law, the lieutenant governor is responsible for leading other similar policy councils, including the Long-Term-Care Coordinating Council, the Small Business Advocacy Council and the Rhode Island Emergency Management Advisory Council.

“Transportation planning shouldn’t be done piecemeal. We need to consider all forms of transportation, address the gaps, and share information so that we can use the limited resources we have wisely,” said Representative Pacheco.

For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Waterman, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457

Ian Donnis notes that Rep. Pacheco may well be considering a run for Lieutenant Governor in 2010.

Via WRNI “On Politics”

Photo by Jef Nickerson

Where Citron used to be and before that, Brewed Awakenings used to be, we can now enjoy Luxe Burger Bar. Luxe is the latest creation from the Chow Fun Food Group who also operate Chinese Laundry, Rick’s Roadhouse, Cafe Noir, and other local establishments and ran Citron at this location prior.

Word around town was that Citron was not doing so well, I had enjoyed eating there in the past, but for whatever reason, it was totally off my Providence dining radar (maybe that says as much or more about adjacent Waterplace Park as it does about Citron). So Chow Fun closed down Citron for a few weeks (I noticed it was closed a couple weeks ago and meant to mention as much here), did a minimal renovation, and re-birthed Citron as Luxe Burger Bar. Citron already having a quite nice interior, Chow Fun was smart not to gut the place. Having been to Citron before I can still see it peaking through into Luxe, but they did just enough to change it (though they need to nix the orange and yellow umbrellas outside and see about getting some red and black ones, or just some new ones).

Luxe is a burger bar, it is all about the burger. You can build your own burger with a checklist at the table, or order one of their menu burgers. Other items include a nice selection of affordable appetizers, specialty sandwiches, “make your own” mac & cheese (which I will be trying on my next visit), an assortment of salads, and “haute” dogs. To wash down your meal, they feature hard shakes (the s’mores, burnt marshmallow, Bailey’s, Godiva chocolate liqueur, graham crackers, and vanilla ice cream, looked tempting, but I opted for a 22oz. UFO Hefeweizen), signature cocktails, wines by the glass or bottle, and a nice selection of beers both on draft and by the bottle.

I opted to make my own burger. You can choose your meat, I went with the house “Gold Label Beef,” but you can also choose from Kobe beef, chicken breast, ahi tuna filet, veggie falafel, or lean turkey. I chose my selections of cheese toppings, sauce, and bun and decided to go with sweet potato fries straight up. You can choose to “pimp” your fries as well with various toppings such as chili or cheese sauce.

My burger was served without undue wait just as ordered.

The staff was friendly and attentive without being overly so (which I hate). I found the make your own burger concept to be fun (I basically made a Trinity brewers burger, those who know me well would expect no less).

For dessert I had the teenie tiny chocolate mouse for $1.99. Really, my arm had to be twisted hard on that one.

The Teenie Tiny Chocolate Mousse, photo by Jef Nickerson

Their menu appears to not be online yet, but they do offer daily specials. Tomorrow (Wednesday) may be a good day to check them out as it is Buy One Get One special night.

My dining partner has already declared this his new favorite restaurant in Providence. Burgers, 22oz. beers, and dessert for two came to $35.03 before tip.

It isn’t posted on the Airport website yet, but here is the June update on the Intermodal Facility at T.F. Green:

Photos from RIAC:

Skybridge night work over Post Road.

A view of the Skywalk construction.

Work at the TEI site.

A view from the inside of the Skywalk, looking toward Post Road.

Installation of paneling and sheathing at the CSO building.

Pre-cast installation continues at the Garage site.

Intermodal Overview
The Intermodal Project is a collaborative effort of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, working in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration. The $267 million transportation hub will allow MBTA commuter rail service to T.F. Green airport and Warwick, RI. This will be the closest rail line (1,570 feet) to a major airport terminal in the country.

The project is broken into four major areas of construction – the Terminal End Improvements (TEI); the Skywalk; the customer service operations building (CSO) and the parking garage and fueling platforms. These four major components of the Intermodal project are being built concurrently.

The project continues to move forward at a steady pace with the Skywalk structure crossing over Post Road. Next steps for construction include the connection of the Skywalk to the CSO structure sometime in July. There are no plans for additional road closures in the near future, however there may be some night work and therefore lane restrictions near the Airport’s departure and commercial roadways.

Terminal End Improvements (TEI)
TEI steel is 100% complete. Fireproofing is complete except for column work and intumesce white paint that will cover the spray fireproofing. Storm drains and safety divots are being installed. Demolition of existing masonry block took place during the last week of June on the 1st and 2nd floors of the terminal.

Skywalk
Overnight work on the Skywalk took place in mid-June. The Skywalk steel erection has crossed Post Road and steelwork is now more than 50% complete. Detailing work continues including installing hangers and conduits above and between piers. Temporary scaffolding has been built for workers to more easily access the skywalk. The permanent stair tower, at what is known as the “knuckle,” has been constructed and allows for emergency egress only.

Work to install parapet walls on the Skywalk roof began this month. The placement of plywood, densglass and Styrofoam will follow.

CSO
Exterior building envelope work is taking place with installation of metal panels, sheathing, and insulation panels. Installation of interior metal panels has begun at the first floor level.

Major mechanical work including installation of the sewer line, storm drains, sanitary sections and cooling tower pipes are all complete. Installation of the CSO roof is schedule to start in mid July.

Installation of the sprinkler system is near complete. Storm drains are now finished.

Garage and Fueling Platform
Approximately 1,130 of the 3,400 pieces of pre-cast concrete for the garage and fueling platform have been placed. Detailing of precast concrete sections is ongoing with welding connections and caulking joints. Installation of the car wash reclamation tank is finished and drains and system connections have been placed. Reinforcing steel is ready for precast concrete curb to be placed on all floors of the facility.

Backfilling of precast columns is nearly finished. Excavation for underground drainage at the fueling platform has been finished and installation of sewer and other drainage has started.

The cast-in-place foundations for stair and elevator towers are being poured. The precast concrete erection continues from the north end moving toward the south.

All pile cap footings are complete. Concrete ramp walls, shear walls, and the garage parameter walls are ongoing. Back filling of perimeter walls continues. The north ramp foundations in the east garage have been poured. The southern ramp is scheduled to be poured in late June.