All Categories - Historic Jewelry District

Project Designs for the District Receive Approval.

4/15/2017

At the Providence Downtown Design Review Committee meeting on April 10, presentations were made by two groups for projects that will help further the transformation of the District.

This was a first, pre-application look at the long-awaited parking garage that the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority intends to build on the lot behind the Garrahy Courthouse. Sited between Friendship and Clifford at Richmond, the six-level garage will offer 1,250 spaces, some reserved for courthouse staff and visitors, some for residents and businesses in new buildings expected to go up in the near future.

Providence Business News reported on the project HERE.

At the same Design Review session, revised plans were presented for the Wexford Science & Technology innovation center and an adjoining Aloft Hotel. The panel approved the design and recommended its adoption by the 195 Commission. More details can be found in a Providence Journal article, HERE.

If you'd like to make your own assessments of the projects, their complete presentations can be found on our PROJECTS Progress round-up page HERE.

Christo Reveals First Concepts for Laundry/Providence

4/1/2017

(Click pictures to enlarge them.)

April 1, 2017. Providence, RI. The celebrated artist Christo has released a preliminary illustration of his grand project to hang gigantic laundry from the power lines over the Providence River. Renowned for his ground-breaking projects around the world, he chose Providence for his newest project after abandoning a years-long fight to drape translucent panels over miles of a river in Colorado.

The project bids to equal Christo's triumph with "The Gates" in New York's Central Park back in 2008. At an informal press conference on the deck at the Hot Club, Christo commented on his project, which he calls Laundry/Providence:

"I sense a spirit of revival in Rhode Island. After planning that Colorado project for nearly 20 years, and fighting for approval in court for another five years, I wanted to wash my hands of the whole thing."

"Rhode Island offers me the opportunity for a new beginning. A way to start fresh and clean!"

"Your beautiful state has a reputation as a place where you can get things done easily. In my short few weeks here, I have come to know a number of guys who say they are eager to help me."

"As I see it right now, Laundry/Providence will stretch from the tower at the east end of South Street Landing south to a tower at the corner of the Manchester Street Power Plant, where it will make a left turn to head across the river, fly above India Point Park and the Seekonk River and end somewhere near how do you say it? Tockwotten senior house."

Since the electric cables are already permanently in place and obviously can never be moved, that part of the project is already done. The real complication is finding a location to build a washing machine that can handle 1,600-sq. foot bed sheets and 30-foot long beach towels. Sourcing laundry detergent in large quantities dictates that the site be near a railroad. And we'll need really powerful helicopters to lift all that wet laundry and hang it in place; maybe get the chopper that replaced the air conditioning units at the Providence Place Mall.

But these are just details. We faced similar problems with the curtains in Central Park years ago. And that sure worked OK in the end, didn't it!"

"To give you a sense of the scale, I estimate clothespins about 6 feet long. Solid maple. The trick will be to compress the spring enough to slip it over the cable while the helicopter lowers the wet garment or towel into place, then release it so the item stays securely clipped on. King-size bed

sheet, maybe 40 feet long, 500 thread-count (I would like to use more tightly woven material, but one has to draw the line somewhere). A suit of what you call 'long johns', you know bright red ... maybe 25 feet tall."

"Yes, for little Rhode Island, this will be big, very big. It will provide many jobs, too. I plan to open discussions with your Commerce Corporation soon to see about getting some of those tax credits I have heard so much about."

"I am really excited to be doing my first project in New England. You can imagine how dramatic the view will be from your new pedestrian bridge. Sort of a wash-day miracle."

Symposium Brings Manufacturers + Makers Together for 3-Day Confab in the District.

3/27/2017

No sooner had the law offices of Lynch & Greenfield debarked from 1 Ship Street than the space was taken over for a few days by tech companies and conceptual electronic and mechanical creators, builders and educators. Sunday through Tuesday March 28th, the former law offices are buzzing, humming and flashing with hot new ideas and conceptual thinking.

Monday morning kicked off first thing with a welcome from Governor Raimondo. In her remarks, she saluted the conference as another sign that the tech world and Rhode Island business are really moving ahead together to build our economy.

Following up, Commerce Corp. head Stefan Pryor described how an innovation in gold plating technology over two hundred years ago sparked growth that turned Providence into the world center for jewelry making. Two men, an idea and an industry is born.

Here's how the organizers of this 21st Century symposium describe what they are up to:

"Rhode Island’s Manufacturer + Maker Tech is a three-day symposium on education for advanced technologies. Initially conceived by IYRS, Polaris MEP, RIC and the RI Commerce Corp, the event has grown to include additional organizations across Rhode Island interested in re-envisioning the manufacturing marketplace, as well as the pathway to Manufacturer + Maker careers."

"Targeting Makers/Hackers, Manufacturers, Educators and the public at large, the event will provide insights in workforce preparation, equipment sharing and digital manufacturing through a variety of presentations, panel discussions and equipment demonstrations."

The editors of the JDA website are technologically challenged, so rather than try to explain any further, we offer you a link to the symposium's official website HERE.

South Street Landing Complex Sold

3/16/2017

On the left, the Davol Square complex; South Street Landing on the right.

The largest construction project underway in the District, South Street Landing where a private developer is repurposing the abandoned power plant for a joint RIC / URI nursing school and administrative offices for Brown University has been sold.

A press release explains:

In a large transaction, Ventas Inc. of Chicago acquires South Street Landing 350 Eddy Street, South Street Landing Garage 330 Eddy Street, 1 Ship Street, and 2-3 Davol Square on March 14, 2017.

Wexford Asset Management, a subsidiary of Wexford Science + Technology, of Baltimore remains as the asset manager and development leader.

Cushman & Wakefield US Inc. has been engaged to manage and operate all the above mentioned properties. Cushman & Wakefield is headed up locally by Thomas J Donovan, Director of Asset Services, Providence Foundation, and Jewelry District Board Member.

By way of introducing themselves, Ventas issued the following statement:

As a leading real estate investment trust (REIT) with a highly diversified portfolio of nearly 1,300 seniors housing and healthcare properties in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, Ventas is excited to operate at the intersection of two powerful and dynamic industries – healthcare and real estate. We benefit from the highly fragmented $1 trillion healthcare real estate market. Plus, longevity, demographic trends and healthcare policy are driving demand for the care provided at our properties.

Since January 1, 2000, Ventas has delivered an industry-leading compound annual total return to shareholders of 25 percent, significantly outperforming both the S&P 500 and the MSCI US REIT indices. At the same time, we have maintained a strong balance sheet. To learn more about Ventas, click HERE.

In other developments, Kate Bramson in today's Providence Journal describes an issue that is threatening the tax stabilization agreement for part of this complex project. Delays in completing permitting for the residential units to be built in the Davol Square parking lot have led to a missed deadline with the City Council. The Projo article also provides further details on the Ventas purchase HERE.

Tops Electric (aka Barstow Stove Company) Makes the PPS 10 Most Endangered List for 2017

2/12/2017

Imágenes: El Norberto

At its January 25th Annual Meeting, the Providence Preservation Society announced its 2017 Ten Most Endangered Properties list. While the Ward Baking Company on Eddy Street didn't make the list this year, the Tops Electric building on Point Street did.

Here's the description from the PPS website.

The Barstow Stove Company was founded by Amos Chaffee Barstow in 1836 and expanded to the complex on Point Street in 1849. The oldest building on the site (west) dates back to 1849 and has a monitor roof, granite window lintels, and a corbelled brick cornice. Today three buildings remain on the site: a four-and-one-half-story brick building with a jerkinhead gable roof, a three-story brick building with a flat roof, and the original 1849 building. A neon sign reading: “TOPS” is prominently displayed on the building’s west elevation. Fenestration on the original block consists of a combination of 1/1 replacement sash, bricked in openings and 8-light sash on the top floor. Fabric awnings project above window openings on the second story level. Attached to the rear (south) is a large, rectangular, flat-roof, concrete block. The central and eastern blocks of the complex also feature replacement 1/1 sash windows. Pedestrian entrances are located along the Point Street elevation.
By 1859, the company had 200 employees and made 50 different kinds of stoves and furnaces. The company eventually acquired the competing Spicer Stove Company, making Barstow the only stove foundry in Providence, and the largest in New England. The complex included two molding rooms, a flask storage building, a room for stoves, storage areas for up to 5000 stoves, and pattern storage.
Barstow began producing gas stoves in the 1920s to keep up with contemporary technology, but could not compete and went out of business in the 1930s. For around ten years the plant was occupied by the Home Service Company, which did household repairs. Since 1974, Tops Electric Company has operated out of the complex, but it was sold in 2015 to the current owners who are evaluating potential uses and redevelopment scenarios.

To see the complete PPS Most Endangered list for the city, click HERE.

The District Restaurant & Bar Has Opened for Business

2/7/2017

Add a welcoming new dining place to the District's Richmond Street restaurant row: Since a soft opening at year end, The District has been plying its patrons with plenty of food, drink and conviviality at 99 Richmond St.

"We’ve just opened, for lunch and dinner every day except Monday, from 11:30 on. Kitchen closes at midnight. Sunday brunch. Our idea is to serve the lunch crowd really fast. Our pizza oven can turn out 90 pizzas an hour! We have a private room upstairs for 15-20 people," Jennifer Freitas, the major domo of The District detailed at the JDA January meeting.

As you walk up to The District, you'll recognize a familiar face that's had major reconstructive surgery. Yes, this is the old South Street Cafe. For the past year it has been rebuilt from stem to stern, kitchen to dining and bar areas. Everything is new except the basic outside shape of the building.

Drop in for snacks, a full dinner and refreshments, and welcome the newest JDA business member.

Promised Award Made to CiTY WALK.

2/6/2017

Yes, the threatened award to CiTY WALK announced in our previous post was well and truly presented on January 25th at the Annual Meeting of the Providence Preservation Society.

Collecting the honor were JDA members and chief spark plugs for getting CiTY WALK off, er... ON the ground: Dan Bauduoin, Executive Director of the Providence Foundation, Phoebe Blake, Chair of the Planning & Zoning Committee of the Jewelry District Association and Ron Henderson, L+A Landscape Architecture.

The award recognizes "special initiatives or commitment to preservation values in the previous year by an individual, organization, community or group in specific categories."

As also mentioned in the previous post, thanks to hard work, campaigning, making presentations and developing the CiTY WALK concept in detail, this project to knit Providence neighborhoods together with a bike and walking pathway has already been awarded TIP Federal/State Grant of $1.9 million for further development.

And the good news doesn't end there. The City of Providence applied to participate in a new initiative of PeopleForBikes called "The Big Jump Project". 80 cities applied, and 10 — including Providence — were selected.

The name "Big Jump Project" refers to the organization's hoped for increase in bicycling nationwide. The Providence focus area is CiTY WALK and its surroundings. CITY WALK will receive $200,000 in-kind services for infrastructure and programming, annually, for three years.

Great news! And major congratulations to Dan and Phoebe and the whole team and CiTY WALK's supporters for great work!

Award Slated for CiTY WALK at PPS Annual Meeting

1/3/2017

CiTY WALK, a city-wide idea born and bred in the Jewelry District, has just been named the winner of a Preservation Initiative Award by the Providence Preservation Society. The award recognizes "special initiatives or commitment to preservation values in the previous year by an individual, organization, community or group in specific categories."

CiTY WALK will be recognized in the Community Involvement category. The award will be presented on January 25th at the Providence Preservation Society Annual Meeting. For more information about all the awards, see the article from Providence Business News HERE.

The PPS Annual Meeting and awards presentation is open to the public. Registration is required, which you can accomplish via the PPS website, HERE.

In the works for several years, CiTY WALK has come to realization thanks to the efforts of a city-wide coalition of individuals and organizations. Spearheading its development, the JDA Planning & Zoning Committee has been working with the Providence Foundation, Ron Henderson/L+A Landscape Architecture, the Providence Planning Dept. and neighborhood organizations along the route between Roger Williams and India Point Parks.

CiTY WALK was included as one of the projects in the long-range Rhode Island Transportation Improvement Plan for 2017-2025 submitted for Federal funding. In 2016, a total of approximately $1.9 million was approved for design and implementation during 2017-2018. So the work can begin now!

For details about CiTY WALK, click HERE.

Johnson & Johnson's Coming to the District... for a While.

12/22/2016

The Governor's Office announced on Monday that global healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson is opening a new technology center in Rhode Island. The news is significant for the District because J & J will take up temporary residence at One Ship Street.

J & J will be hiring personnel for a new healthcare technololgy center — up to 75 people — aiming at a Spring 2017 opening. For full details, as usual, consult Kate Bramson writing in the Providence Journal Dec. 19... HERE.

One Ship Street, long the home of law firm Lynch & Greenfield, was sold to Wexford Science & Technology for use in connection with the innovation center they are developing next door on 195 Parcels 22 and 25. (See more details on Wexford on the PROJECTS Progress page.)

It's not clear where the office will finally locate, but in the meantime, more new faces in the District!

PARL Shows Off a New Adoption Area in Expanded Facility.

12/16/2016

On December 14, the Providence Animal Rescue League (PARL) held an open house to introduce a newly-built Dog Adoption Area at its facility at 34 Elbow St. We'll let PARL's Kristina McKenzie give you the details.

"Bigger, brighter, quieter and more flexible, the 370 square foot expansion features new double-sided kennels in an acoustically damped space."

"Replacing dilapidated ‘70s-era cyclone-fenced kennels, the new space is designed to reduce stress and maximize health for dogs awaiting adoption at the shelter. It features offset entrances so dogs don’t have to see one other, acoustic panels to lessen barking noise, varied kennel sizes to accommodate larger dogs or multiples sharing space, and an inviting area to welcome prospective adopters."

"Funded in part by generous gifts from the Champlin Foundations, the Rhode Island Foundation, and the Carter Family Charitable Trust, this new space will be a comfortable and reduced-stress home for the hundreds of dogs PARL cares for each year."

Executive director Kara Larson said, “It’s very exciting for us to end 2016 with such a wonderful new space opening. It’ll make the holidays a little better for our dogs this year.”

Having taken a tour of the new center, we have a suggestion. PARL currently houses a number of appealing residents. Why not make the holidays even better for one of them: Drop by, put the new adoption area to the test... take home a pup!