Greater City: Providence » Development

The New New Parkade

Jef Nickerson — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:47:05 +0000

The Parkade. Photo by Jef Nickerson

I hate it when bloggers say this, and I do it all the time, but seriously, I really did hear about this the other day. Whatever though, PBN is first to the interwebs with it.

But PBN is behind a paywall, so here’s the scoop. Cornish Associates has purchased the Parkade Garage on Washington Street. Cornish of course has been responsible for much of the redevelopment on Westminster Street including the Peerless Lofts. Cornish plans to renovate the garage and keep it open for public parking as well as leasing spaces to some area businesses.

The garage is one of the properties that the Providence Journal’s parent company has been trying to sell in Providence.

There’s two things that could end up being quite interesting in relation to this property. First up is Cornish’s long term plans of putting retail in the ground floor along Washington Street (something that I dream about every time I walk by). Currently there is a small office/retail space at the Union Street corner of the garage. This was most recently occupied by Groundwork Providence, but has sat vacant for several years since the Journal ended Groundwork’s lease.

Most of the street level facade along Washington Street is well suited to fill in with usable retail space. There are no ramps in the way, the ceilings are high, it is on a busy street, and obviously, parking won’t be an issue.

The other potential development here is the Biltmore’s plan to move their driveway from Dorrance Street, to the ‘back’ of the building on Eddy Street, across from the garage.

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Read the rest of The New New Parkade (419 words)

T.F. Green Intermodal Facility, May Update

gcpvd — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:00:08 +0000

This update was released earlier in the month, we are just getting around to posting it now though, oops!

An aerial view of the Intermodal project.

The Intermodal Facility is 78% complete and on schedule for opening in Fall 2010. Framing, painting, and other finish work is now the focus as well as final permitting inspections.

Terminal End Improvements (TEI)

A view of the TEI work underway. Escalator finish work is visible.

At the terminal end, drywall is being installed on both ceilings and walls at all levels with subsequent priming and painting. Rough-ins for communication and sprinklers under escalators is ongoing. On site testing for air handling units began in May. At the TEI bridge ceiling metal panel and light fixture installation is complete. Escalator finish work continues. On the exterior of the bridge parapet metal framing is ongoing, with installation of aluminum sun shade on the curtain wall glass. Installation of metal panels and curtain wall glass at the TEI stair tower are near completion.

Skywalk

Moving sidewalk sections being assembled

The exterior of the Skywalk structure is almost complete. Painting of the stairway at the knuckle is underway. Overhead mechanical equipment has been painted. Installation of center panels and hangers for stretch fabric ceiling is ongoing. Caulking for curtain wall system continues. The moving walkway assembly is at various phases of completion throughout the skywalk. A few of the walkways are ready for inspection. Smoke door installation has begun. Floor supports will then be installed. Rough-in work for fire alarm, communication wiring and lighting control is also ongoing. The air conditioning will be turned on inside the structure before the end of the month.

Customer Service Operations Building (CSO)

A view of the garage at left and the rental car fueling platform at right.

Installation of the ceiling grid is almost complete. All testing and programming for cooling tower and other control systems continue, air conditioning should be on by the end of the month. After the overhead rough-in for mechanical and electrical piping is complete the metal panel and drywall began on the first floor. For tenant work, installation of drywall has finished and application of primer has started. Metal panels are being installed simultaneously to rough-in for overhead systems.

Garage

A view of the train tracks and platform with the garage flanking both sides.

Only detailing work for precast concrete remains. At the ground level, concrete curbing and sidewalks are being poured and fine grading for pavement is ongoing. Caulking and topping slabs continue throughout the garage. The entrance canopy at the south ramp has been installed and the framing of parapet at the canopy is complete. Slab on grade at the entrance ramp continues. Fire hydrants are being installed as well as curtain wall glass. Handrails are being installed in the stairways and welding is complete. The water reclamation room is almost complete. Escalator installation is nearly finished. Assembly of the elevator cabs is ongoing. Anti-projectile screen is being installed along the Amtrak Right of Way. Rough-in stub-ups for parking equipment has been started. Installation of fire alarm continues throughout the garage. Fueling and windshield washer fluid tank installation was completed in April. Fit out for fueling islands and carwash equipment in the reclamation room has been begun. Installation of the fueling system at the platforms continues. After pouring slab on grade for the tenant offices, installation of metal frames for the quick turn around rental car offices is underway.

RIAC

Cranston City Council Resolution passed in regards to the proposed CVS in Edgewood

Jef Nickerson — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:19:31 +0000

Cranston City Council Resolution passed in regards to the proposed CVS in Edgewood:

THE CITY OF CRANSTON

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE HISTORIC WATERFRONT NATURE OF THE EDGEWOOD/PAWTUXET VILLAGE AREA

John E. Lanni, Jr., Council President

Resolved, That

Whereas, The City of Cranston was recently ranked the best community to live in Rhode Island by GoLocal.com, and

Whereas, one of the aspects which contributed significantly to this ranking was the historical, waterfront Edgewood/Pawtuxet Village area, calling it one of the State’s most “picturesque villages” and

Whereas, area residents, as well as the City of Cranston generally, take great pride in the historical and tranquil nature of this community and are concerned with the preservation of neighborhood’s character and seek to prevent further erosion by irresponsible developments which are incompatible with the area, and

Whereas, the tranquil, historical waterfront character of this neighborhood is under constant threat and vulnerable to irresponsible overly aggressive commercial development by developers motivated solely by bottom line profits whoignore their corporate civic responsibility to the area residents in which they seek to locate or develop, and

Whereas, the CVS Corporation is currently in the active planning stages of a new store to be located at the corner of Broad Street and Norwood Avenue, one of the highly visible entry points to this “picturesque village” and historic waterfront community, and

Whereas, the project by CVS presents a unique opportunity to not only preserve and protect the picturesque, historical and waterfront character of the area, but also enhance it, and has exhibited sensitivity to local concerns and corporate responsibility in developments in other historical areas in of the State, and U/Resolutions/Edgewood Pawtuxet Village CVS

Whereas, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Review receive various applications and petitions from individuals doing business or seeking to do business in this area which present an opportunity to present further deterioration of the underlying nature of this community, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, that the Cranston City Council hereby appeals to the Chief Executive Officer and President of the CVS Corporation to be a good neighbor to the resident areas, by being responsive to their concerns, and assist the City of Cranston in preserving and protecting this neighborhood;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, the Cranston City Council hereby urges the CVS Corporation to work closely with area residents, the Mayor, the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Review on this project, to protect this “picturesque village” and historic waterfront community as a valuable asset to the City of Cranston; and further urges the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Review to make the preservation of the historical, waterfront character of this neighborhood a primary consideration in any future projects they review.

The City Clerk shall forward certified copies of this Resolution to the Chief Executive Officer and President of CVS, the members of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Review.

Sponsored by Council Vice President Livingston, Cosponsored by Councilmen Lupino

Providence Piers Proposal

Jef Nickerson — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:51:29 +0000

A couple weeks ago we linked to an article in the ProJo about a proposal to build a medical facility at Pat Conley’s Providence Piers. Today, PBN has a more fleshed out account of that plan.

Rhode Island Medical Arts proposes to build a $350-400 million development to include an acute care center with 250 beds, a hotel, a marina, a floating restaurant, retail, offices, a parking garage, and public walkways.

Currently of course, the area is not zoned for most of these uses. The City Council Ordinance Committee is hearing testimony on changing that however.

What do I think about all this? Well, as I said before, I rather think the uses proposed here would be better suited on land closer to the hospitals or in the Jewelry District. Certainly it would be advantageous to have a hotel in the Hospital District so that loved ones could stay close-by to the hospitals. We have a vast amount of land available for development elsewhere.

That said, I don’t outright oppose these proposed uses in this area either. I think we can find a way to balance the industrial activity currently found on Allens Avenue with other economic development.

Aside from the zoning question, the site also needs environmental remediation. It sounds like the developers are waiting on the state to get that done. Zoning changes, environmental clean-up, funding in this economy… I won’t be holding my breath waiting for the groundbreaking to happen here anytime soon.

Related:
Put the Waterfront to Work (Providence Planning Department)
Providence Working Waterfront Alliance

CVS in Edgewood, Update

Jef Nickerson — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:52:20 +0000

CVS has responded to concerns about their proposed store in the Edgewood section of Cranston offering a “colonial” design alternative, which does not address many of the issues concerning the community, or taking 24-hours off the table.

The above renderings (courtesy of the STOP CVS in the Historic Edgewood Neighborhood, Cranston RI Facebook page) represent the design consessions CVS is bringing to the table. This is instead of their typical beige dryvit box they plop down at most locations. This alternative design would also remove the large sign pylon (which would require Cranston zoning approval) and brings the landscaping and distance from neighboring properties in bounds whereas they will not need zoning variances.

According to an article in the Journal, company officials are also “considering” adding more windows and a pedestrian walkway across the 75-car parking lot.

Considering!?!!? a pedestrian walkway!?!?!??! CONSIDERING!?

OK, I have some harsh words for CVS in a second, but first, WHAT THE F*CK CRANSTON!? How in the world does your city’s zoning allow CVS to consider a pedestrian walkway? Like they can or cannot provide a walkway, whatever the hell they feel like, no big whoop. I’m well aware that Providence zoning is probably similarly weak (someone please cite for me where Providence requires pedestrian accomodations if it does so I can feel better), but I’m yelling at Cranston right now. Traffic is a problem that Cranston has, they are well aware of it, in fact the city is working on a traffic plan for the very intersection where this CVS is hoping to locate. Hey Cranston, you know a good way to fight traffic? ALLOW PEOPLE A WAY TO WALK IN YOUR CITY! My Maude, my head is exploding here!

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Read the rest of CVS in Edgewood, Update (812 words)

Casino urbanism

Jef Nickerson — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:06:08 +0000

Truth be told, I’d rather we not have any casinos in New England. But I have said in the past, if Rhode Island were to legalize casinos, I would want to see one built in Providence rather than expansion in Lincoln or a new casino some place like West Warwick. People in Lincoln will already tell you they’re not too keen on Twin River’s traffic and noise, and that isn’t even a real casino (yet). I’d prefer the traffic and noise and other problems attached to a casino confined to the city, which can site a casino in a district suited to 24-hour use, and also hope that the casino has a positive effect on the city’s hotels, restaurants, and shopping. A casino outside Providence guarantees that people would leave Providence or never come to Providence to begin with.

Basically, my feelings are spelled out in this post by Lefty on A View From Battleship Cove. Lefty compares the proposal by the Wampanoags for an all-inclusive resort style casino on 300 acres of land at the edge of Fall River, on a site off Route 24; against a proposal by a private developer for a casino situated right in Downtown New Bedford which intends to funnel it’s patrons out into the downtown area.

It seems inevitable at this point that the casino debate will come back to life in Rhode Island at some point. With expansions at the Connecticut casinos and the likelihood of casinos in nearby Massachusetts, our state’s dependence on gambling as a major source of our revenue will be in danger. I’d prefer we diversify our economy and ween ourselves from the gaming teet, but the question will be asked again. So let’s discuss it now. If full scale casino(s) were legal in Rhode Island, where would you want to see one built and why?

Image: Rendering of proposed Fall River casino complex

Quonset Gateway hotel

gcpvd — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:15:01 +0000

Rendering from Quonset Development Corporation

Governor Carcieri, RIEDC Director Keith Stokes, the Quonset Development Corporation and hotel developers from New Boston Fund, Waterford Development and ProCon broke ground last Thursday for a new Towne Place Suites by Marriott hotel. The 103-guestroom hotel will sit on 4.6 acres across from The Shops at Quonset Point, and is designed for the extended-stay traveler looking for moderately priced accommodations.

“The pace of building and job creation at Quonset has been impressive, in spite of the economic downturn,” said Governor Carcieri.

The development joins eight other construction projects currently underway or recently completed at the Quonset Business Park, home to 164 companies. Quonset has added 2,700 new jobs since 2005, bringing total employment up to 8,842 jobs.

“The fact that the developers were able to finance a hotel in this difficult economy speaks volumes about the depth and breadth of the growth at Quonset – and the potential here,” said QDC Managing Director Steven King.

The new hotel at the Gateway is expected to be the first LEED-certified in the state.

CVS in Edgewood

Jef Nickerson — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:18:32 +0000

Neighbors in the Edgewood section of Cranston are opposing plans for a 24-hour, drive thru CVS in their neighborhood.

Image from Respect4Edgewood

The proposed CVS would replace the existing Rite Aid on the corner of Norwood Avenue and Broad Street, Rocky’s Hardware would also be displaced from their current location. Directly across from the proposed CVS sits a suburban style monster of a Walgreens.

Image from Google StreetView

The current building housing Rite Aid and Rocky’s won’t win any design prizes, but at least it is built to the street with the parking screened behind/beside it. It is good urban form.

Image from Google StreetView

Tearing down a building properly built to the street to build a new building with a drive-thru situated in a sea of parking is so wrong-headed for this neighborhood that I don’t even know how to begin to write about it. Luckily, Cranston Style already has a great post about it, which you should go read.

From the comments on Cranston Style:

Update: The Cranston Planning & Site Review committee sent CVS back to the drawing board. The next Planning Cmte meeting is 9AM June 2, 3rd Floor, City Hall. THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME to attend & voice opinions. Respect4Edgewood is hosting a neighborhood meeting that evening, June 2, 6PM at William Hall Library on Broad Street.

Like I said, I don’t even know where to start on making the most urban part of Cranston more auto-centric. But really, how anachronistic is a drug store built in the middle of a parking lot with two drive-thru lanes at a time when gas is crawling over $3/gallon again?

American Makeover Episode 1: SPRAWLANTA

Jef Nickerson — Sun, 09 May 2010 20:00:18 +0000

More at American Makeover

Building a Better Block in Dallas

Jef Nickerson — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:44:05 +0000

What Made a “Better Block”? Oh, Just the Fact You Could Walk, Shop, Drink and Hang Out and Not Get Run Over.
- Dallas Observer

Protected bike lane, road diet, parklet, pop-up retail, and it only took a day to put together.