Click image to enlarge

Warwick Mall owner and former Cranston City Council President, Aram G. Garabedian and partners from Massachusetts and New Hampshire have proposed to build a Marriott Residence Inn on Clifford Street across from the Garrahy Courthouse (see above rendering and site plan). Residence Inn is an extended stay brand, more often associated with the suburbs but slowly making inroads to urban locations nationwide.

Currently, there are no extended stay hotels in Providence (there is a Residence Inn in Warwick), and while Greater City: Providence is not opposed to an extended stay brand moving into the city, we must oppose this project as proposed.

The developer is seeking to abandon a portion of Orange Street between Clifford and Friendship Street. The abandonment will allow the developer to build a linear building along Clifford Street and have surface parking along Friendship Street. A street abandonment and surface parking are a double whammy of anti-urban design.

Viewing the site plan above, one can see the two lots straddling Orange Street (currently owned by the developer) are each large enough to hold the entire hotel. Certainly, hotel guests visiting Providence could deal with having to cross Orange Street to get from the parking lot to the hotel. A raised crosswalk or other traffic calming device could be employed to ensure the most pleasant pedestrian experience. The city is eager to rebuild the street grid between Downcity and the Jewelry District once Route 195 is removed. Removing a portion of the grid now is not a good first step towards that goal.

In their petition to the City Council to abandon the street the developer states, “the abandonment… would promote the public health, welfare, and comfort in that it would improve the overall economic well being of the surrounding area.” Seeing as it is physically possible to build the hotel completely on one of the adjacent parcels and not abandon the street, this public benefit would seem to be moot.

In a Providence Journal article dated May 13th, Ara Aftandilian (of Summit Hotel Properties, Garabedian’s partner in the project) states, that he sees the area near the courthouse, now covered with surface parking, as a budding neighborhood for development. OK then, why abandon one of this budding neighborhood’s existing streets to build a hotel that is dependent on surface parking then. Aftandilian also states, “Residence Inn is the leading extended-stay brand, and obviously it’s a recognizable brand and people know of it. Extended stay in urban environments is fairly new. Typically they’re in suburban environments.” Perhaps the developer and the brand need to learn how to fit in to an urban environment, one could forgive them if their prior experience is in the suburbs.

We look forward to the developers reviewing the urban environment in which they find themselves and are hopeful that they will come up with a plan that does not require the abandonment of a city street.

Related:
Public Works Committee to consider abandonment of part of Orange Street [gcpvd.org]

Bahamian performers Junkanoo visited RISD this weekend performing at the spring block party on Benefit Street today. Above is a short video clip and below are a few photos from today’s festivities.

Photos and video by Jef Nickerson for gcpvd.org

Speck posted this on UrbanPlanet. While Greater City: Providence certainly does not recommend riding your bike on the highway (you could get KILLED!), this video is too great not to share.

Read all about it on Vimeo.

From the Steel Yard:

From May 15-18, 2008 the Steel Yard throws open its gates for “Works in Progress,” their most ambitious fundraiser to date.

This year’s adventure will offer an exciting and unusual menu of opportunities with something for all ages, varied interests and any ability to pay. From the no-fee Iron Chef: Junkyard Edition (torch wielding metal workers take on the secret ingredient) to Spectator Sport Sunday (competitive welding and wheel-throwing), the creative spirit of the Steel Yard community will be in full gear. Other events include Smokin’ Steel Yard (a family bbq using smokers and grills made in our own “Make a smoker and learn how to use it” class), the dance extravaganza Steel Yard is Burning and Clay-doh a grown-up, sanctioned chance to play in the ceramics studio.

Throughout the fundraiser’s four day period they’ll also offer regular tours, studio demos, and a raffle as well as the opportunity to shop at Peripatetica, the place to find one of a kind gifts and souvenirs made by local artists and craftspeople. The weekend will end with an evening of outdoor movies on the Thirsty Theater screen.

Events range from free to $25 and a 4-day all-access pass is available for $100 in advance. For more information, call (401) 273-7101.

Preserve Rhode Island announces their statewide open house of historic sites, this Saturday, May 10th.

Thresholds… Step Inside History
Saturday, May 10, 2008 from 12:00 to 3:00pm
Free Statewide Open House to highlight
Historic Sites Coalition of Rhode Island partners
Presented by Preserve Rhode Island

Join Preserve Rhode Island in celebrating National Preservation Month and Rhode Island Tourism Week by exploring your local history! Twenty-four historic sites from around the state invite you to experience Rhode Island’s unique heritage. This free event highlights several partners in the new Historic Sites Coalition of Rhode Island. Stop by one or two of your local historic sites between 12:00-3:00 pm for a tour or to view special exhibits. Participating sites are listed below by county.

Sites Particpating in Thresholds… Step Inside History

Bristol County

• Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum, 101 Ferry Road, Bristol
• Bristol Statehouse, 240 High Street, Bristol
• Coggeshall Farm, 1 Colt Drive, Bristol

Kent County

• Clouds Hill Victorian House Museum, 4157 Post Road, Warwick
• Pawtuxet Valley Preservation & Historical Society, 1679 Main Street, W. Warwick

Newport County

• Whitehorne House, 416 Thames Street, Newport
• Wilbor House, 548 West Main Road, Little Compton

Providence County

• Captain Wilbur Kelly House, Lower River Road, Lincoln
• Governor Henry Lippitt House Museum, 199 Hope Street, Providence
• Governor Stephan Hopkins House, 15 Hopkins Street, Providence
• Governor Sprague Mansion, 1351 Cranston Street, Cranston
• The Handicraft Club, 42 College Street, Providence
• Hannaway’s Blacksmith Shop, 673 Great Road, Lincoln
• Hearthside, 677 Great Road, Lincoln
• Hunt House Museum, Hunt’s Mill Road, East Providence
• John Brown House Museum, 52 Power Street, Providence
• Joy Homestead, 156 Scituate Avenue, Cranston
• Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket
• Valentine Whitman Jr. House, 1147 Great Road, Lincoln

Washington County

• Gilbert Stuart Birthplace & Museum, 851 Gilbert Stuart Rd, Saunderstown
• Oliver Watson House, URI Kingston Campus, Farm House Road, Kingston
• Pettaquamscutt Historical Society, 2636 Kingstown Road, Kingston
• Smith’s Castle, 55 Richard Smith Drive, Wickford
• Westerly Armory, Railroad Avenue, Westerly

About the Historic Sites Coalition of Rhode Island
In 2007, Preserve Rhode Island, the statewide non-profit for historic preservation, initiated the Historic Sites Coalition of Rhode Island (HSCRI) to connect the stewards of historic sites that are open to the public. This network was developed to encourage discussion about common challenges and solutions, support cross-promotion, and provide interactive workshops to advance the sustainability of Rhode Island’s historic structures and unique places.

As of March 2008, forty-two historic sites from around the state have joined the HSCRI. These include a variety of sites ranging from house museums, to mills, to historical and preservation society headquarters, to a blacksmith shop, and a local library.

HSCRI members are connected through the historic sites coalition listserv, an online discussion forum, where members can ask and answer questions, post their upcoming events, share resources, and receive updates and information about workshops from Preserve Rhode Island.

For more information on this exciting event please contact Preserve Rhode Island at 401.272.5101, sprull@preserveri.org.

Board Votes to Hold Public Hearings on Proposed Fare Increases
RIPTA’s board of directors voted at it’s April 7th meeting to hold public hearings on proposed fares increases.

Sharp hikes in the cost of fuel are behind the fare increase proposal.

“Unfortunately, we have to seek fare increases to compensate for some of the steep increases in fuel costs. Fuel costs have more than tripled since FY 2002 when we paid on average 87 cents for a gallon of fuel. We’re now averaging about $3.27 a gallon for the current fiscal year. Fare increases won’t absorb the full impact of the higher cost of fuel, but they will help, said RIPTA General Manager Alfred J. Moscola.

If approved, the proposed fare increases would raise the base fare from $1.50 to $1.75 and include the following changes:

Fare Media	Current	Proposed
Base Fare	$1.50	$1.75
Seniors/Disabled (off peak)	$0.75	$0.85
Cash Transfer	$0.10	$0.50
RIPTIKS (10)	$15.00	$17.50
15-RIDE Pass	$20.00	$23.00
Monthly Pass*	$45.00	$55.00
(*increase would apply to July Monthly Passes that are purchased in June)
ADA (RIde Program)	$3.00	$3.50

Here’s the public hearing schedule:

Thursday, May 8, 2008
University of Rhode Island
Feinstein Providence Campus
Room 260
80 Washington Street
Providence, RI 02903
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8 pm

Friday, May 9, 2008
Warwick City Hall
Council Chambers
3275 Post Road
Warwick, RI 02886
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8 pm

Friday, May 9, 2008
Narragansett Town Hall
Assembly Room
25 Fifth Avenue
Narragansett, RI 02882
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8 pm

Monday, May 12, 2008
Newport Pubic Library
Program Room
300 Spring Street
Newport, RI 02840
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8pm

Monday, May 12, 2008
Barrington Public Library
2nd Fl. Auditorium
281 County Road
Barrington, RI 02806
Time: 2 pm-4 pm & 6 pm-8pm

Update on the Grove Street School, after all the heartburn, seems the owners are now willing to sell:

Dear Friends,

This was sent today (May 5, 2008) from Deming Sherman regarding the court issues and purchase of Grove St school. There needs to be a buyer offering a bid with serious intentions soon. This may be a problematic development effort but the rewards are deeply important to Federal Hill as well as the preservation of many other neglected and abused buildings in the city.

Your help, insight, forwarding onto others are all important. But most importantly, we need someone who is willing to take the risk and can work toward success here.

Anne Tait (see below)

May 5, 2008

To all: We had a mediation session this morning with the Supreme Court (retired Chief Justice Weisberger). There is going to be an interim order entered that allows us 30 days to seek a buyer for Grove Street School (and an additional 15 days if someone is seriously interested). The Tarros are prepared to sell the property (no set price, although it is appraised at $225,000, but likely can be purchased for less) since it can’t be demolished at least at this point. So here is an opportunity to get preservation folks to come forward! I can arrange for inspection and will give out structural reports and ther information. We need a creative solution here, because I fear that sooner or later, the building will be demolished if we can’t find a solution.
Deming

Deming E. Sherman
Partner
Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP

If someone is willing to lend us a quarter million dollars, this would make an excellent global HQ for Greater City: Providence. We’ll have everyone ’round for beers, we promise!

Why is no one eating at sidewalk tables on this beautiful spring afternoon (well aside from the fact that Broadway Bistro isn’t open for lunch, I didn’t feel like walking further down the block to illustrate the point fully)? Seems that due to complaints, the city has been cracking down on permits for outdoor dining in the Broadway area.

From the WBNA:

Councilman Lombardi held a meeting with business owners and city representatives in early April with regard to the issue of outdoor seating and usage of sidewalk space for restaurants and other businesses on Broadway. In response to the issues that were raised, Councilman Lombardi asked that a zoning amendment be prepared to remedy the current restrictions that prohibit use of sidewalk on Broadway (considered an extension of business premises). He will be introducing the ordinance and ushering the zoning amendment through the approval process, which will hopefully be able to be expedited. In the meantime, Councilman Lombardi is exploring other options with the department of inspection and standards and the administration to determine if there is a temporary waiver or some other measure to ensure that businesses on Broadway do not suffer further from the current limitations. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the councilman at the City Council office, 521-7477

Many residents have contacted Councilman Lombardi to express their support for outdoor dining on Broadway. If you haven’t contacted the Councilman already, please let him know that you support his efforts to get tables on the sidewalks as soon as possible.

Oh by the way, Broadway Bistro is excellent, I highly recommend it!

RI Nexus announces Concentric tomorrow night at the Wild Colonial Tavern.

We’re cross-pollinating social networks in a way that only Rhode Island can. The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), The American Institute of Architects (AIA), AIGA Rhode Island, plus the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU ), plus Providence Geeks and RI Nexus are having a casual gathering at the Wild Colonial Tavern in Providence to get acquainted… share ideas, and have a great time.

CONCENTRIC
May 8th, 5-11pm
The Wild Colonial Tavern
250 South Water Street
Providence, RI 02903
RSVP to party@ecolect.net

In a press release about National Bike to Work Day (May 16th) we learn from Bike Providence that the city is planning to stripe bike lanes on several streets in the city.

The City of Providence Department of Planning and Development has completed plans for the striping and signing of bicycle routes along many of Providence’s thoroughfares. It is expected that this project will be completed this fall. Among the streets included in this project are Elmwood Ave, Broadway, Smith Street, Charles Street, and Hope Street.

As gas approaches $4 a gallon, Providence must capitalize on it’s diminutive size and become a bike city. We should be looking overseas to cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona and closer to home to cities such as Portland and Berkeley that are pushing hard to make their streets bike friendly.

Providence must also embark on an education campaign, reminding drivers that they must share the road and reminding bicyclists that they are bound by traffic rules.

Bike to Work Day takes place May 16th starting at 7:00am at the Bank of America City Center in Kennedy Plaza, details on the Bike Providence Blog.