The Demographics of the Jewelry District

A current census of the District is not yet available.
However, much is known about the makeup of the 200 acres in the District:

Residential:

There are approximately 52 units of residential loft-style housing with 85-125 occupants. Most of the residential stock is in industrial buildings dating from the late nineteenth century. Residents tend to fall into one of three categories: graduate students, professionals and "empty nesters". A high percentage of the residents work, either out of their loft, or in the immediate area.

In addition to the permanent residential base, the district is home to approximately 100 Johnson and Wale's students who live in the Imperial Place complex from September through May.

Residential loft style development is increasing in the district. J&H Electric (now Ship Street Lofts) is the latest building developed as residential lofts.

Retail:

The district has a large entertainment focus with 14 eateries, 4 fine-dining restaurants, and 12 nightspots. In addition retail establishments include: massage, hair styling, photography, and automotive services. Professional services include small animal veterinarian and physician general practice.

Commercial:

The three principal thrusts of the district's commercial sector are healthcare, design and technology. CareNE and Lifespan currently have over 500 medical researchers working in the district. 

The district is known for its technology driven, nationally recognized, graphic art firms including specialty companies offering high tech reproduction services to graphic artists.Nationally known photographers maintain their studios in the district. Technology based companies, including technology based incubators supported by the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council, have found the district's fiber optic infrastructure and its flexible building stock important contributors to their success.

The district is also home to two newspapers: The Phoenix and the Providence Business Journal.

Industrial:

On a smaller than historic scale, Jewelry design and manufacture still exist in the district. Finishers and platers are the base of jewelry manufacturing. The district is also home to Manchester Street Station the electric generating station of US Gen.Narragansett Electric maintains two substations for electrical distribution in the Downcity area.

Not for Profit:

Education related institutions include Johnson & Wales and Brown University. Museums include Providence Children's Museum and Heritage Harbor. Health services include Planned Parenthood and the RI Rape Crisis Center. The Rhode Island Economic Policy Council, Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, and the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Rhode Island Departments of Business Regulation and Youth and Family Services all reside in the area. The Providence Animal Refuge League is located at Hospital and Elbow Streets.

Government:

The Rhode Island Departments of Business Regulation and Youth and Family Services make their home in the Jewelry District. The Garrahy State Judicial Complex is also in the district.

Advantages to Living/Working in the District

• Only minutes from Downcity, the District is only minutes from all the amenities of a metropolitan area. Walk downtown to the theater, to dinner, to the mall for shopping.

• The District has direct access on an off I-95 and I-195, so it is convenient to get on the highway and quickly get to your destination.

• The District is only 10 minutes by car from TF green Airport and five minutes from Amtrak Station/Boston commuter train station. In fact, you can even walk to the Amtrak station in about 15 minutes.

• Only four blocks separate the District from the RIPTA intermodal transportation center.

• The District is the home of the Providence-Newport Ferry service.

• Enjoy the bustle of being in a metropolitan area, but removed enough from the heart of Downcity that you can enjoy a respite from the noise and confusion.

Enterprise Zone Information

The Jewelry District is designated as a Federal, State and City Enterprise Zone creating special tax and funding benefits. It is located in Providence Zone II, Census tracts 7 and 8.

• Tax credits of $10,000 per new employee hired, $15,000 is employee is a zone resident (i.e. 10 jobs equals $100,000 in tax credits.)
• Fixed asset loans from $25,000 to $150,000 and working capital loans up to $30,000.
• Equity financing from $5,000 to $25,000
• Priority for all state job assistance programs.
• Additional benefits are available from the Economic Development Office of the City.

Future Outlook of the District

The district is well on its way to realizing its Urban Development Plan of a live-work community where its buildings house living as well as commercial and retail establishments. The City, together with the Jewelry District Association, is in the last stages of finalizing a zoning plan that works with the Urban Development Plan.

The district's electric grid has been updated and Cox has laid fiber optic cable throughout the district.

Although the District will go through a heavy construction period with the relocation of I-195 and the Storm Runoff Drainage System, it will emerge with better ingress and egress while maintaining its "walkable" community goal.

The district has 10-15 percent of its land available for development that is currently vacant or under-developed.