Archives For Housing
We ran down the list of 11 City of Providence ballot questions in a previous post, here are the statewide questions on the November 6th ballot.
Update: All statewide ballot questions passed however, voters in Newport rejected a casino at Newport Grand.
Find further details about each ballot question and information on how to vote in the Rhode Island Voter Information Handbook 2012
QUESTION 1:
1. STATE CONSTITUTIONAL APPROVAL
(APPROVAL OF AN ACT AUTHORIZING STATE-OPERATED CASINO GAMING AT TWIN RIVER IN THE TOWN OF LINCOLN)
(Section 22 of Article VI of the Constitution)
Shall an act be approved which would authorize the facility known as “Twin River” in the town of Lincoln to add state-operated casino gaming, such as table games, to the types of gambling it offers?
APPROVE
REJECT
QUESTION 2:
2. STATE CONSTITUTIONAL APPROVAL
(APPROVAL OF AN ACT AUTHORIZING STATE-OPERATED CASINO GAMING AT NEWPORT GRAND IN THE CITY OF NEWPORT)
(Section 22 of Article VI of the Constitution)
Shall an act be approved which would authorize the facility known as “Newport Grand” in the city of Newport to add state-operated casino gaming, such as table games, to the types of gambling it offers?
APPROVE
REJECT
The project to redevelop the Teste Block, old Providence Gas Building, and Narragansett Hotel Garage now has a website, ProvidenceG.com. The site currently is simply a placeholder with an email link for information about leasing and a short marketing blurb:
The ProvidenceG is a new development of one of the city’s most iconic historic buildings. Luxury apartment rentals are complimented by exceptional amenities and services as well as on-site fine dining and entertainment venues creating a truly unmatched lifestyle.
PBN has an article (behind the paywall) today about the project.
They report the project will include 52 luxury apartments expected to be ready for occupancy in October. There several restaurant/retail spaces available and there will be a rooftop bar. The old Narragansett Hotel Garage will have vetically stacked parking, apartments on the upper floors, and a rooftop pool. The project will also feature a fitness center for guests.
This all sounds nice if you can afford it. Another PBN article today noted that the Waterplace development still only has 73 of the 193 units under contract. So it will remain to be seen if luxury living in Downtown Providence is a commodity people are interested in buying.
For the past week or so, there has been a string of caution tape between two cones in front of a house on Cumberland St. Next door: a vacant lot, and next to that, a house that has had the same tape and some chain link propped against it for about a year.
A few days ago, I noticed the property behind the cones had its electrical meter and wires disconnected.
Last night, while walking my dog, I happened to catch a Providence College security guard tidying up the caution tape. I asked if he had any news what’s happening with this property. He told me they were being torn down for parking.
“That’s unfortunate,” I said.
He shrugged.
Image from Mayor Taveras’ Twitter
A new ordinance introduced by City Councilors Matos and Principe and co-sponsored by the entire Council will require out of state banks and property owners to register their properties and maintain the interior and exterior of their properties. Failure to register or comply will result in violations of $1,000/day up to $100,000.
Mayor Taveras Announces Initiative to Address Foreclosed, Boarded Homes
Proposed vacant property ordinance will hold landlords accountable for maintaining properties; speed revitalization of neighborhoods impacted by national foreclosure crisis
PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Angel Taveras today announced his administration’s initiative to strengthen the city’s oversight of foreclosed and abandoned properties and speed the revitalization of neighborhoods impacted by the national foreclosure crisis.
“My administration is working together with the City Council to address the impacts in Providence of the national foreclosure crisis. Owners of vacant and abandoned properties have an obligation to their communities to ensure they are maintained and secured,” said Mayor Taveras. “As Mayor and as a former housing court judge, I’ve seen first-hand how a healthy housing stock acts like an anchor – keeping communities safe and stable.”
Notice of Regular Meeting
Tuesday, July 17, 2012 – 4:45pm
Department of Planning and Development
1st Floor Meeting Room 444 Westminster Street, Providence
Opening Session
- Call to Order
- Roll Call
- Approval of minutes from June 19th, 2012 meeting – for action
- Director’s Report
Major Land Development Project
1. Case No. 12-026MI – 125 Pitman Street The applicant is seeking preliminary plan approval to construct a 25 unit, five story apartment building. – for action (Fox Point, AP 15 Lots 408, 410 and 411)
2. Case No. 12-027MI – 66 Huber Avenue The applicant is seeking preliminary plan approval to construct a 40 unit apartment building. (Manton, AP 80 Lot 894) – for action
Adjournment
Union Studio Design Proposal for 257 Thayer Street
Public Meeting Next Monday – 257 Thayer Street Proposal
In April, following a public meeting to discuss the 257 Thayer Street proposal, Councilman Sam Zurier asked the College Hill Neighborhood Association and PPS to form a Steering Committee comprised of members of both organizations to discuss and evaluate community concerns regarding the proposed 257 Thayer Street development. A summary of the Steering Committee’s development and progress can be found here.
An informational meeting will be held by the Steering Committee on Monday, July 16, at the Central Congregational Church (296 Angell Street) at 6:30 pm to reiterate the findings of the group to the public. A Q&A session will be offered for those who have questions regarding the work done by the Steering Committee, the proposal for 257 Thayer Street, and discussion of future planning for the Thayer Street District.
Please contact Paul Wackrow at 401-831-7440 for more information.
Because of changes to the ordinance governing the City of Providence’s homestead exemption, every Providence homeowner is required to reapply this year for the exemption. Due to the large number of applications still outstanding, the Office of the Tax Assessor has extended the reapplication deadline to Friday, April 6, 2012.
Update 06/22/2012: Union Studio Architects has updated the proposed 257 Thayer Street Building.
PBN: Thayer Street apartment project redesigned
“We worked hard to break the scale down into elements that were legible at the street,” said Union Studio principal Donald Powers. “There is a section that responds to Thayer, a section that responds to Euclid, Meeting and Brook. Probably the biggest change is to open up the building with views into the courtyard.”
ProJo: ProJo: Four-story apartment building proposed near Brown University
Gilbane Development Corp. wants to build a four-story apartment building off Thayer Street near the Brown University campus that could house more than 200 people.
See also:
- East Side Monthly: New Four-Story Building Proposed for Thayer Street
Update: Renderings
Rendering: Click image to enlarge
Site plan: Click image to enlarge
Update: 257 Thayer Street Information 
