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UPDATED: Possible project at Parcel 12

By on October 6, 2014 in Downcity

parcel-12

Image from Bing Maps

The so-called ‘triangle-parcel’ in Capital Center adjacent to Burnside Park could soon see a new development.

On the October 9th agenda of the Providence Redevelopment Authority is a:

Motion to approve lease with option to purchase Parcel 12 located at 5 Exchange Street, to First Bristol Corporation.

According to the Minutes of the PRA July 10th meeting , the lease would be for the construction of a hotel. First Bristol are the owners of the Hampton Inn & Suites on Weybosset Street.

The last proposed development on Parcel 12 was way back in 2006 when The Carpionato Group also proposed a hotel on the site. Let’s hope this one is a little less ugly.

Update: ProJo reports:

The company envisions a six-story building with 120 suites, with an estimated cost of $18 million to $20 million, Karam said.

First Bristol seems to be leaning toward an extended stay hotel concept.

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Downtown Design Review Committee Meeting – July 14, 2014

By on July 8, 2014 in Downcity
featured-drc Downtown Design Review Committee
Monday, July 14, 2014 – 4:45pm
Department of Planning and Development, 1st Floor Conference Room 444 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02903

Opening Session

  • Call to Order
  • Roll Call
  • Approval of Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2014 and June 9, 2014

New Business

159-weybosset

159 Weybosset Street. Image from Google Street View.

1. DRC Application No. 14.13: 159 Weybosset Street Proposal to remove an egress door on the north elevation, create a new opening on the east elevation for a new egress door, and to construct a new handicap ramp on the property.

burnside-street-view

Burnside Park. Image from Google Street View.

2. DRC Application No. 14.14 2 Kennedy Plaza (Burnside Park) Proposal to install a new pathway across the park, modify the existing fencing at new entry points, install new granite steps at the Burnside Statue, install lighting, and construct a new granite arch at the corner of Exchange Street and Exchange Terrace.

Adjournment

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2014 Burnside Park Music Series and Beer Garden

By on June 23, 2014 in Events, Parks/Open Space

beer-garden-2014

The Thursday, September 11th Burnside Park Music Series and Beer Garden features music by Detroit Rebellion.

Toeing the line between jazz and no-wave, this blues driven garage duo creeps and grooves their way to a good time.

Visit the event page on Facebook for more details. This is the last beer garden of the season, so BE THERE!

The 2014 Season of the Burnside Park Music Series and Beer Garden kicks off this Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 4:30 with performers Supreme Satellite Band.

You’ve earned it, Providence: an entire season of afternoons in the park. The sun on your face, the breeze on your skin, a well-deserved drink in your hand, and the kind of music that means it drifting all around you.

Every Thursday this summer, Burnside Park will be transformed into your favorite restaurant, your family outing, your afternoon date, and your patio bar. Lounge on the grass, grab a bite from your favorite food truck, or sidle up to the tables and chairs at Trinity Brewhouse’s beer garden (open from 4:30-7:30 every Thursday!). Live music from 5:30-7 ensures that your personal dance hall, showspace, and musician’s salon is but a stroll downtown away.

2014’s Burnside Music Series will be filled with unstoppable rhythms, celestial harmonies, unparalleled musicianship, and good times.

Whether you’re wrapping up work, heading in for your shift, cavorting with friends, or just reveling in something other than winter, join us by the fountain Thursday afternoons. You work hard. You deserve it.

Visit the Burnside Park Music Series and Beer Garden Facebook event page for a listing of this summer’s performers.

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Bike to Work Day – May 16, 2014

By on May 14, 2014 in Bicycles

bike-broadway

Date: Friday, May 16, 2014
Time: 7-10am; Mayor Taveras will speak at around 8:15am
Location: Burnside Park, rain or shine!

With spring in the air, the City of Providence and the RI Bicycle Coalition invite you to celebrate Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 16th as part of National Bike Month. Mayor Taveras urges everyone to bike to work or try cycling for fun, fitness or transportation. Free coffee and food will be provided to all participants at Burnside Park. Other activities include bike repair, vendors, and a raffle. Mayor Taveras will also announce the 2014 Providence Cyclovias!

Local sponsors include: City of Providence’s Healthy Communities Office, RI Bicycle Coalition, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, Dash Bicycle Shop, Greater Kennedy Plaza, Whole Foods, New Harvest Coffee Roasters, and Legend Bicycle.

Continue Reading →

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News & Notes

By on May 12, 2014 in News & Notes

Kennedy Plaza

Two ProJo articles last weekend about Kennedy Plaza:

The Providence Journal: A View from Providence: Hangout or hub, Kennedy Plaza certainly is quirky

People get off buses. Others get on. Some stand in line, others stand around. They wear headphones and backpacks, some carry bags.
The plaza draws folks from all walks. Students. Workers. Homeless. Peddlers. Visitors.

The Providence Journal: Some argue that good parks and public spaces can revitalize RI economy

In Kennedy Plaza, bus and vehicle traffic compete with people wanting to use the park. There is too much hard surface; too few trees. There’s too much noise; too little to do.

“If you leave public spaces barren you get this blight,” Wood said. “You create a draw for all sorts of undesirable activity.”

Continue Reading →

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What Cheer / What Jeer 2013

By on January 5, 2014 in RIPTA, What Cheer/What Jeer

We’re running a little late this year but we’re finally ready to run down the What Cheers and What Jeers of 2013.

what-cheer-south-street-power-station

WHAT CHEER: South Street Power Station (Maybe)

In 2013 we got another plan to redevelop the moribund South Street Power Station. While numerous plans for the building, which at one point was known as the Dynamo House, have come and gone, this latest plan engenders optimism as Brown University is involved now.

In January the New York Times and then The Brown Daily Herald reported on rumors of the university becoming involved in the project. Then in June Brown announced it’s plans for the building in a letter to the campus community.

Those plans include a home for the long talked about URI/RIC Nursing School, office space for Brown, and some sort of retail component in the former power station building. Brown also has a developer engaged in building a student apartment building in the neighboring parking lot along Point Street and the City is involved in plans for a parking structure across Point Street from that.

The latest news on the project comes from the ProJo just before Christmas with reports that the PRA is considering condemning the building so the project can move forward.

While this could all be looked at as another in a long line of proposals for the building, Brown’s involvement makes this proposal seem more promising. 2014 will show us if this project actually moves forward.

Continue Reading →

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Champlin Foundation grant to fund gateway project at Burnside Park

By on December 4, 2013 in Downcity, Parks/Open Space, RIPTA, Transportation

exchange-exchange

From the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy:

$395,000 Champlin Foundations Grant Awarded to Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy’s Kennedy Plaza Project

Funds will build a pedestrian gateway within Burnside Park

The Champlin Foundations recently granted $395,000 to the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy (DPPC) and The Providence Foundation to create a pedestrian gateway within Burnside Park. This significant investment will fund a detailed design and reconstruction of the park’s northeast corner, which is a critical element of capital improvement in Greater Kennedy Plaza. An attractive new entrance by the Burnside statue and a corresponding footpath will encourage more varied, healthy activities in our downtown public spaces. By ensuring that the passageway remains safe, clean and well-lit, this project will allow travelers to easily walk through the park on their way from the train station to the RIPTA bus hub, strengthening this connection. Construction is scheduled to begin next spring, with completion expected in late summer 2014.

First proposed during a community charrette led by international placemaking experts at the Project for Public Spaces in 2008, this gateway improvement project is one of several transformative changes planned within Greater Kennedy Plaza next year. The city of Providence has committed $1.7 million from its downtown circulator project to reconfigure traffic patterns around the parks. With support from RIPTA, plans call for the relocation of bus berths to the outside of Kennedy Plaza to make way for a pedestrian plaza and market.

Continue Reading →

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Greater Kennedy Plaza summer season programming Survey

By on October 31, 2013 in Arts, Parks/Open Space

hannah-burnside

Greater Kennedy Plaza is seeking your input on the outdoor programming that takes place there, see information below:

Many thanks for a great outdoor programming season in Greater Kennedy Plaza! Many of you have told us all season how much what we do improves the place we all share – and your ideas for improving on it – here is your chance to help us learn how to continually improve our programming and our public spaces downtown by filling out this quick online survey. Completing a survey gets you a chance to win one of two Prize Packs which include a membership to the Providence Children’s Museum, Fourpack for free ice skating & rentals to the Providence Rink, and a Dave & Buster’s power card. First winner will be drawn on Friday.

Take the Survey

Full disclosure: I am a member of the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy Board.
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Last Burnside Park Beer Garden of the season

By on September 19, 2013 in Arts, Events

beer-garden

Photo from Greater Kennedy Plaza

After being extended for two more weeks, tonight is for real the last Burnside Park Beer Garden Music Series event of the year.

We’ve had a great season featuring a wide array of local music–clearly Providence has a wealth of talent! We have one more night for you on Thursday, Sept 19.

Grupo Sazon, is an amazing Latin band featuring master percussionist Jesus Andujar. This high energy band, with Latin and Cuban influences, have lit up the WaterFire stage twice this season to rave reviews! What a great way to end the park series and usher in Fall.

As always, relax before the show at the Trinity Brewhouse + Revival beer garden – serving locally brewed beer and wine starting at 4:30PM (music at 5:30PM)! Lawn games + food truck fare throughout – including Fancheezical, Lotus Pepper, Noble Knots, Panino Express + Like No Udder.

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Burnside Park Beer Garden Music Series extended!

By on September 12, 2013 in Events

beer-garden

Due to popular demand, and the generous support of our sponsors, the Burnside Park Music Series has been extended two more weeks!

We’ve had a great season featuring a wide array of local music–clearly Providence has a wealth of talent! We extend the series with two fabulous bands:

  • September 12, 2013: Justin Breault Jazz Trio featuring special guests including Miss Wensday whose powerful voice will get everyone’s attention!

  • September 19, 2013: Grupo Sazon, an amazing Latin band featuring master percussionist Jesus Andujar. This high energy band, with Latin and Cuban influences, have lit up the WaterFire stage twice this season to rave reviews! What a great way to end the park series and usher in Fall.

As always, relax before the show at the Trinity Brewhouse + Revival beer garden – serving locally brewed beer and wine starting at 4:30PM (music at 5:30PM)! Lawn games + food truck fare throughout – including Fancheezical, Lotus Pepper, Noble Knots, Panino Express + Like No Udder.

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Last Burnside Park Beer Garden of the season – Today at 4:30pm

By on September 5, 2013 in Events, Parks/Open Space

Don’t miss the last show of the SUMMER SEASON!

beer-gardenDon’t let the morning showers fool you – great forecast for tonight as Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage & Sara Azriel take the Burnside Stage. Plus the Trinity Brewhouse & Revival Brewing Company beer garden, and delicious dinner from Fancheezical Providence, Lotus Pepper and Like No Udder! It’s the last show of the summer season – Beer Garden at 4:30, music at 5:15!

See the event page on Facebook.

See you there!

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Ribbon-Cutting of Burnside Park ‘Imagination Station’ – August 22, 2013

By on August 20, 2013 in Arts, Events, Parks/Open Space

imagination-center

Ribbon-Cutting by Mayor Taveras of the new ‘Imagination Station’ in Burnside Park kicks off a day of events.

Mayor Angel Taveras, the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy and Southwest Airlines will unveil and open a new ‘Imagination Center’ in Burnside Park on Thursday, August 22. The Imagination Center, created with a grant from Southwest Airlines, will serve as a new place for children’s activities within Burnside Park.

The Imagination Center is a fun destination for arts and crafts, interactive play and more, bringing the local community together and enriching the current activities in Burnside Park. The Center will be surrounded by picnic tables, beanbags and a wood deck, and will also include book carts, planting beds, and an Imagination playground play set.

Mayor Angel Taveras and representatives of Southwest Airlines and the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy will hold a ribbon-cutting for the new Center at 10 a.m., kicking off a day of scheduled activities at Burnside Park.

Activities include:

  • 10am–10:30am: Official ribbon-cutting
  • 10:30am–11:30am: Join Kidoinfo Storytime with Mayor Taveras, who will read his book, How to Do Well in School, along with guests local illustrator Jen Corace and author/illustrator Alison Paul
  • 11:30am–12:30pm: Participate in a Kidoinfo Art in the Park project based on Dr. Suess’ Yertle the Turtle
  • 12:30pm–1pm: Enjoy complimentary PVD Pops popsicles for participating children, participate in additional art projects and receive complimentary blank books and instructions for how to make your own book
  • 1pm–2pm: Experience the Imagination Playground with free play and table games for children
  • 4:30pm–7:30pm: Listen to a musical performance at the Burnside Park Music Series and Beer Garden, while enjoying beverages from Trinity Brewhouse

Full disclosure, I am a member of the Board of the Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy.

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Burnside Park Beer Garden Music Series is a go for this evening

By on July 25, 2013 in Arts, Events

many-beers-beer-garden

Careful, if you ask me to hold your beer, I might drink it.

Slight change of plans. The band will be playing and the beer will be flowing, but it will be taking place inside at Trinity Brewhouse, see you there!

There is a chance of a passing shower this afternoon, but the surprising fall-like chill in the air makes it a perfect evening to drink beers in the park and listen to great music.

Come on out and hear the Criss Cross Orchestra perform in Burnside Park, 4:30pm-7pm. See you there!

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Urbanist Drinks at Burnside Park – July 11, 2013

By on July 11, 2013 in Events

gcpvd-urbanist-drinks-burnside

…and it has been canceled. Sigh. Try again next week.

Looking out the window right now, it seems sadly unlikely that this will actually happen today. But, assuming the clouds part and the Burnside Park Beer Garden goes on as scheduled this afternoon, please join us for July Urbanist Drinks in the park.

Burnside Park Beer Garden Thursday Music Series
4:30pm-7:30pm in Burnside Park
Today’s music: Sara Azriel
Find the event on Facebook
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