Greater City Providence

Developer Proposes Demolition of Historic Fire House in Pawtucket to Build a Family Dollar Store

Image from Google Street View

As reported by The Valley Breeze:

Hose Company No. 6, a former popular restaurant at 636 Central Ave., could be coming down to make way for a new Family Dollar store, city officials confirmed this week.

On April 7, the Pawtucket Historic District Commission received an application from Barone Capital LLC for a certificate of appropriateness associated with the proposed demolition of former Fire Station #6, said Jay Rosa, senior planner for the city.

The property has no local or national historic designation, said Rosa, but the Historic District Commission does review all proposals in which 25 percent or more of a structure that is at least 50 years old is scheduled for demolition.

The building was constructed in 1895. There is a public meeting of the Historic District Commission in May 9th at 7:30pm at Pawtucket City Hall.

This is a rendering of the proposed Family Dollar store:

Image from The Valley Breeze

The rendering indicates they plan to use the existing surface lot that sits next to the fire house, so why do they need to tear down this gem exactly? As I said on Twitter, Family Dollar is a menace.

Jef Nickerson

Jef is Greater City Providence's co-founder, editor, and publisher. He grew up on Cape Cod and lived in Boston; Portland, Maine; and New York before settling in Providence. In addition to urbanism, Jef is interested in art, design, and ice cream. Please feel free to contact Jef if you have any question or comments about Greater City Providence.

8 comments

  • How can such a beautiful building, built in 1895 NOT be on the historical register? This is part of the continuing uglification of Rhode Island, all in the name of the almighty buck.

  • Jeez– is there any reason why they couldn’t just put a Family Dollar in the existing building? Such a waste. I hope Pawtucket has the common sense to fight this.

  • Pretty sad to say the least.

    Jim K

    Yo.ur suggestion makes sense

  • What’s worse is there are already 2 Family Dollar Stores within a mile of this location.

  • ^ I was going to say that. Can we talk about how there is a Dollar Tree 500 feet from that spot…

  • Not sure of the details, but a 5 month delay was issued in regards to the proposed demolition of this building. Also, a Facebook Group called Save Hose Company No. 6 has been started to organize a campaign to preserve it.

  • How do I join the group fighting demolition? I can’t believe there is no historic protection for this building.

    My great Grandfather opened this station in 1896 and was Captain there for quite a few years. My father played there as a child when he visited his grandfather. There are a many descendants of Frederick William Ward in the RI/SE MA area. Several photos of him were on the walls at Hose Co No6.

  • Frank – You would need to have a Facebook account to join this group. If you then type Save Hose Company No. 6 in the Facebook search box, it will bring you to their page. You will be a Join Group button. Press it, and you will receive notifications on the organizing activities.

    Here is a link to the latest news coverage.

    Here is a link to the Save Hose Company No. 6 Facebook page.

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