Archives For Downtown

State to study Garrahy Courthouse Garage. Again.

Jef Nickerson —  June 7, 2013 — 6 Comments

garrahy-courthouse

Image from Google Maps

Ian Donnis tweeted out a link to the legislation authorizing a new Downtown Garage Commission:


Back in 2005 there was a $20 million proposal to build a garage on this site. Ian Donnis wrote about a similar plan languishing back in 2008 when he was at the Providence Phoenix. And in 2009, then Mayor Cicilline put $47 million in his stimulus wish list for the garage.

The desire for a garage at this site goes back way further than that even. The Providence 1970 plan, written in the early 60′s basically called for Downtown to be ringed with garages just off the highways, then an elevated people mover system would move people around town from the garages. Though the interstate highway that originally prompted this as a location is gone, and an elevated people mover in Providence is a non-starter, the Garrahy Courthouse as a parking garage location lives on.

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News & Notes

gcpvd —  December 31, 2012 — 2 Comments

new-york-wetlands

Wetlands to provide a storm surge buffer for New York City. Image from Architecture Research Office

→ Fast Company: A Plan To Hurricane-Proof New York, With A Ring Of Wetlands

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, there have been a flurry of ideas on how to deal with the prospect that storms of such magnitude may no longer be once-in-a-lifetime events but the most visible manifestation–if you’re not a polar bear–of the havoc wreaked by climate change.

Seawalls. Levees. The kinds of things the Army Corps of Engineers typically builds to protect low-lying places like New Orleans just aren’t feasible for a place like Manhattan, says Stephen Cassell, the cofounder of New York’s Architectural Research Office. “It’s hard to predict how bad climate change will be,” Cassell says, noting that Sandy’s devastating surge was nearly 14 feet, which wasn’t even the worst-case scenario. “What if we build a barrier and the surge goes beyond that?”

Yes Providence, what if the storm surge is higher than our storm surge barrier?

→ New York Post: Growing NY through smarter taxes

How might two-tiered taxation work? In New York, land and improvements in residential areas are subject to an 18.6 percent property tax.Thus, land with a taxable value of $10,000 would be taxed $1,860, and improvements with a similar taxable value of $10,000 would owe another $1,860, a total of $3,720. Under a two-tier system, the tax rate for land could jump by, say, 50 percent, while the rate for improvement could be halved.In that case, the owner would pay $2,790 in land taxes and $930 for improvements — keeping the total to $3,720.

But here’s the payoff: The owner’s tax bill under that scheme would climb another $2,790 if he purchased a second lot with a taxable value of $10,000 — but by only $930 if he used that money toward building.Thus, hoarding would be discouraged; development encouraged.

The two-tier property tax has a proven record of success. In 1979, Pittsburgh began taxing land at a rate six times higher than improvements. In the ensuing decade, building permits increased by 70.4 percent.

Via: Nesi’s Notes

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Updated: City Plan Commission Meeting – October 16, 2012

gcpvd —  October 10, 2012 — Leave a comment

Notice of Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 16, 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 September 18th, 2012 meeting – for action
  • Director’s Report

Major Subdivision

1. Case No. 10-011MA – Preliminary Plan Approval for Subdivision of land from the relocation of Interstate 195 – PUBLIC HEARING The public hearing will provide information to the public and receive public comment as part of the Commission’s review of a proposed major subdivision. This proposal consists of subdividing land within the State’s right-of-way along the Interstate 195 corridor where the highway was removed. The corridor extends from Interstate 95 northeast north of Clifford Street, then continuing east, crossing Chestnut, Richmond and Dyer Streets, to the west bank of the Providence River. The land also extends from the east bank of the Providence River at James Street,

City Council Referral

2. City Council Referral 3357 – Petition for zone change from C-2 to M-1 at 103 Dike Street Petition to rezone the property at 103 Dike Street from C-2 to M-1 – for action (Olneyville, AP 105 Lot 489)

3. City Council Referral 3358 – Petition to extend the I-3 overlay district Petition to extend the I-3 overlay district to include 1 Cookson Place/33 Broad Street – for action (Downtown, AP 24 Lot 626)

City of Providence Zoning Ordinance

Minor Subdivision

4. Case No. 12-045MI – 475 Valley Street The applicant is seeking preliminary plan approval to divide the existing lot into three lots – for action (Valley, AP 27 Lot 263)

Adjournment

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City Plan Commission Meeting, August 21

gcpvd —  August 16, 2012 — 2 Comments

Notice of Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 21, 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 July 17th 2012 meeting – for action
  • Director’s Report

Major Land Development Project

1. Case No. 12-027MI – 66 Huber Avenue The applicant will be presenting a community outreach plan for the subject development – for discussion (Manton, AP 80 Lot 894)

Institutional Master Plan

2. Johnson and Wales University Master Plan Amendment The applicant is seeking an amendment to the current Master Plan for creation of a new academic program in an existing building – for action (Downtown)

Major Land Development Project – Public Hearing

3. Case No. 12-032MA – Creation of expansion parking area (Master/Preliminary Plan reiew) The applicant is seeking to increase the capacity of an existing parking lot from 36 to 96 spaces to accommodate the growth of a business on a proximate lot. The applicant is requesting to combine master and preliminary stages of review – for action (Olneyville, AP 33 (.pdf) Lots 322, 345, 350, 351, 395, 624, 654, 656)

Adjournment

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Two Downtown buildings added to the National Register

gcpvd —  August 7, 2012 — Leave a comment

YWCA

The 1905 Young Women’s Christian Association building and the 1872 First Universalist Church, both on Washington Street near Green Street have been added to the National Register.

Omni Development is working with the Providence Revolving Fund to renovate the Young Women’s Christian Association building into 59 units of affordable housing. The building, known today as the 1890 House, currently contains 52 units of elderly housing.

Read the press release from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission.

Historic Designations Enable Rehab Projects: New Listings on the National Register

First Universalist ChurchTwo buildings in the amended Downtown Providence Historic District have received federal recognition for their contributions to the history of architecture and social history. Edward F. Sanderson, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission, announced that the National Park Service extended the boundaries of Downtown Providence Historic District west on Washington Street to include the Young Women’s Christian Association building (1905-06) and the First Universalist Church (1872). The National Register is the Federal Government’s official list of properties throughout the United States whose historical and architectural significance makes them worthy of preservation.

Originally listed on the National Register in 1984, the Downtown Providence Historic District is bounded on the east by the Providence River, on the south by Interstate Highway 195, on the west by Interstate Highway 95, and on the north by Memorial Boulevard. The district is a densely built area dominated by commercial and institutional structures that chronicle the history of architecture from Federal buildings of the early 19th century through the many commercial types and styles of the 19th and 20th centuries. The district’s dozens of buildings, parks, and works of public art are significant to the history of commerce, landscape architecture, politics and government, religion, sculpture, transportation, and theater. Moreover, the growth of the area and its building patterns reflect the civic, commercial, and cultural development of a major central business district.

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New Downtown Zoning Regulations Signed

Jef Nickerson —  May 16, 2012 — 1 Comment
Jewelry District Built Out

Jewelry District and 195 Land Built Out. Click Image to Enlarge.

Mayor Taveras Announced New, Streamlined Zoning Regulations for Knowledge District

Simplified, predictable zoning plan provides guideline for development of I-195 land and downtown Providence into vibrant, mixed-use economic corridor

PROVIDENCE, RI – Mayor Angel Taveras today announced new city zoning regulations that provide simple, predictable guidelines for development of the Interstate 195 land and downtown Providence.

The new zoning regulations will be implemented by both the city and the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission charged with overseeing development of 22 acres of land made available in the heart of Rhode Island’s capital city into a thriving Knowledge District of academic and health care institutions, research and development companies, residences and other uses, linked together by a network of open space.

“The relocation of I-195 and new development downtown is an incredible opportunity for Providence to attract new businesses, open up new revenue-generating property, and build a stronger economy in Providence and Rhode Island,” said Mayor Taveras. “Providence’s new zoning plan clears red tape and gives developers and business owners a more predictable path forward as we work with our academic and health care institutions and our partners at the State House to grow Providence’s Knowledge District into a 21st century economic engine.”

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City Plan Commission Meeting – January 24, 2012

gcpvd —  January 23, 2012 — Leave a comment

This is a continuation of last week’s CPC Meeting which was only set for discussion on these topics.

Notice of Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 24, 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 meeting minutes from January 17, 2012 meeting – for action

Comprehensive Plan

1. Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan Changes Complete review of changes to Providence Tomorrow: The Interim Comprehensive Plan – for public hearing and action

Zoning Changes

2. Changes to Downtown Zoning Consideration of an Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Ordinances of the City of Providence Entitled “The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance” Approved June 27, 1994, as Amended, to Change Certain Text in Articles I, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X, and Appendix A to Revise the Regulations for Downtown; and to Revise the Zoning Map for Downtown. – for action

3. Zoning of I-195 surplus Parcels Consideration of an Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 27 of the Ordinances of the City of Providence Entitled “The City of Providence Zoning Ordinance” Approved June 27, 1994, as Amended, to Create Revised Regulations for the I-195 Surplus Land Parcels in Fox Point and to Revise the Zoning Map to Create a New Zoning Overlay District and Revise the Underlying Zoning Districts C2, W2, and OS for Said Parcels. – for action

Adjournment

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Providence Downtown – Knowledge District Development Framework study Community Meeting, October 26

gcpvd —  October 18, 2011 — Leave a comment

Downtown - Knowledge District Development Framework Study

The Providence Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is pleased to announce that the third Community Meeting for the Providence Downtown – Knowledge District Development Framework study will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2011. Please join us as we present the draft development framework and preliminary zoning recommendations for Downtown and the Knowledge District, and solicit your input and ideas.

Community Meeting: Providence Downtown – Knowledge District Development Framework study
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 • 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Meeting Location:
444 Westminster Street, first floor
Providence, RI 02903

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Mayor appoints members to Downtown area zoning/permitting committees

Jef Nickerson —  May 20, 2011 — 15 Comments

Mayor Taveras has appointed 30+ people to committees that will work to streamline the zoning and permitting policies in the Downtown area, including the Jewelry District and the 195 Land. I am honored to be among the people appointed to the Advisory Committee.

The Advisory Committee is described thusly:

An Advisory Committee will provide feedback on broad development goals and policy issues that affect zoning in the target area.

The committees have not started meeting yet, so I’m not sure exactly how they will roll, but I am for sure open to hearing what you all have to say about it.

See below a press release from the Mayor’s Office outlining the goals of the Committees and listing the members:

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GC: Photos

gcpvd —  February 10, 2011 — Leave a comment

We’ve had a whole bunch of photos shared in our Flickr Group lately, so let’s catch up with some:

Granoff Center
Photo © Ken Zirkel

out to the harbor, from india point park
Photo © lumpyoatmeal330

fried dough in providence
Photo © lumpyoatmeal330

Shooters
Photo (cc) provbenson2009

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