Jef NickersonThe state Division of Taxation has approved nearly $8 million in state historic preservation tax credits to seven projects in several cities, including for works that will create new purposes for old industrial buildings.
This is quite a list of buildings, some pretty important to the streetscapes of the city. Let’s take a look at the ones in Providence:
Freedom City Properties LLC – 431 Harris Avenue, Providence
Image from the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission
In Eagle Square, Freedom City Properties LLC is renovating the former American Brewing Co. building (better known as Capital Records Management) into artists workspaces, a theatre, and apartments.
Joseph R. Paolino Jr. – 28-32 Kennedy Plaza, Providence
32 Kennedy Plaza, image from Google Streetview
Joseph R. Paolino Jr. proposes to renovate the building that runs along Exchange Street between Fulton and Westminster Streets that currently houses a Citizens Bank branch into a hotel on the upper floors and restaurants on the ground level.
WaterFire Arts Center – 475-485 Valley Street, Providence
In the city’s Valley section, WaterFire is renovating the U.S. Rubber Co. building into meeting, multifunction, and workshop space.
Siegal Building – 150 Washington Street, Providence
Image from Google Streetview
Also owned by Joseph R. Paolino Jr, the Seigel Building on Washington Street was home to Roger Williams University until they moved their Providence Campus to Empire Street. Paolino plans to renovated the building “with the installation of a storefront and windows that more closely resemble its original appearance.” Thank you baby Jesus! I’ll help rip the dryvit off that building if I have to.
Greater City Providence
Glad to see some creative reuse of existing buildings, and the de-“modernification” of the Seigel Building. I’m all for restoration of buildings erected back when people cared about what their buildings look like.
Don’t give that crook Paolino a dime. He needs to just sell his holdings and go away.