What is the JDA?
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
The Jewelry District Association (JDA) is a dedicated group of volunteers – residents and business people – working to maintain the historic character of our neighborhood and its unique qualities as a place to live and work in a new era. The District is a place of continual evolution. By 1823 today's street grid was in place, and the District was essentially residential. As the Civil War ended, the transformation into a center of jewelry manufacturing began to replace houses with the factory buildings we see today. Now, with the disappearance of the jewelry industry and Interstate 195, the District is poised for another step in its evolution.
We also hold monthly meetings, which are open to the public. Meeting announcements and archives are posted under “JDA Meetings.”
Our Activities
Attend hearings of the Providence Board of Licenses to ensure best behavior by nightclubs in and on the fringes of the Jewelry District.
Monitoring license applications.
Issuing statements in support of good applicants and against unsavory, undesirable or inappropriate ones .
Checking incident reports with Providence, Brown and Johnson & Wales Police Departments.
Work with the Downtown Business Improvement District to improve the quality of life in the Jewelry District and neighboring Downcity areas.
Testifying at the City Council on night-life and zoning issues .
Successfully campaigned for tightened regulation of bars and restaurants.
Participating in the Hospitality Resource Partnership (HRP), a collaboration of the city, property and business owners, residents, club owners, and police.
Advocate for initiatives that encourage a safe, yet vibrant late-night atmosphere.
Innovated staggered closing hours for nightclubs and instituted training and licensing of floor host staff.
Maintain oversight of the 195 Redevelopment project as it creates “new” land in the Jewelry District.
Monitor I-195 Commission meetings.
Get updates from the Executive Director of the Commission at our monthly JDA meetings.
Keep the Commission aware that people are living and working in what is an active construction zone and encourage coordination of road closings and detours, mitigation of dust and noise issues and other construction disruptions.
Participated with the Providence Planning Department and others in drawing up the 2013 Providence Zoning revisions in advance of the transfer of the land ownership to the I-195 Commission.
Spoke at planning sessions about our vision for the Jewelry District as a mixed-use, 18- hours-a-day neighborhood.
Campaigned for limiting building heights to coordinate with existing District structures and neighborhood character.
Successfully argued to protect the river front from becoming privatized by designating mandated setbacks and access for the public.
Campaign at Providence Design Review and Historic District Commission hearings for the best interests of the historic Jewelry District.
Prevent teardowns that create surface parking lots.
Monitor new projects to ensure their design and purpose fit the neighborhood.
Play a key leadership role as City WALK becomes a reality. The JDA is involved every step of the way as the design and implementation of the plan advances. This exciting new walk and bike way will connect the east and west sides of the city: from Fox Point Park it will cross the river on the new foot bridge, follow along a 3/4 mile route through the Jewelry District, then via the Clifford Street bridge over I-95 and down Elmwood Avenue to Roger Williams Park.
Work with the designer to plan the route, landscaping and other features.
Coordinate with the Providence Planning and Zoning Department on developing the route.
Develop signage and physical and digital way-finding aids.
Raise private funds to help bring this desirable public amenity to Providence and add significantly to our city’s celebrated “walkability.”
Won Mayor Taveras’s support and endorsement for the concept.
Coordinate with the I-195 Commission to incorporate City WALK into their plans.
Organize volunteers and organization resources for an annual District-wide clean-up.
Carry out a health inventory of the District's trees.
Carry out the trash.
Weed the tree cuts and restore the mulch cover.