Providence developments

Little to no opposition to build a 32-unit condominium at the corner of Brook and Angell Sts, where once there were three homes. These were razed as speculation, therefore, of course there was no opposition. Who wants an empty lot to remain empty? This was not quite demolition by neglect, but construction by rapid demolition. We have since made it harder to demolish structures like this so quickly, but don't be surprised if no one opposes new development when the damage to the historical fabric has already happened.
The lead story here touches on another new apartment project in South Providence, getting approval to move from 2 stories to 6! Wow, the density is good to see, esp. since the lot has been empty since 2018.


The Latest from the City Plan Commission // Providence Preservation Society

ppsri.org ppsri.org
 
Frankie811 said:
Little to no opposition to build a 32-unit condominium at the corner of Brook and Angell Sts, where once there were three homes. These were razed as speculation, therefore, of course there was no opposition. Who wants an empty lot to remain empty? This was not quite demolition by neglect, but construction by rapid demolition. We have since made it harder to demolish structures like this so quickly, but don't be surprised if no one opposes new development when the damage to the historical fabric has already happened.
The lead story here touches on another new apartment project in South Providence, getting approval to move from 2 stories to 6! Wow, the density is good to see, esp. since the lot has been empty since 2018.


The Latest from the City Plan Commission // Providence Preservation Society

ppsri.org ppsri.org
Click to expand...
To be fair... Part of the housing crisis is because it's so hard to get rid of anything that's already there. It's more pressing in Metro Boston, but we need to be ok with replacing buildings - most aren't really worth saving. There are of course exceptions to that, but While these were nice enough, they're also not particularly noteworthy in any way. Especially when they are explicitly outside of the historic district overlay, had relatively substantial surface parking, and the site is immediately proximate to buildings of a similar scale? It's a substantial increase in density, and I think it should probably happen to more similarly situated triplexes and duplexes across the region - looking at you, Cambridge.

That said, what is offensive to me about this particular proposal is the parking situation, and lack of ground floor activation in what is basically the middle of the Brown campus. Providence mandates a minimum of 1 space /unit, and this building requires 32. Instead, it's providing 45 - nearly 1.5x the required amount. I realize that the grade means substructure parking is easy, but I'd much rather see retail here, and extending the existing zone further down Angell from Thayer. Admittedly it isn't permitted by current zoning, but it really should be given existing uses on the neighboring block.
 
Riverwalk Resilience Project.

Please join @providenceplanning to learn more about the Riverwalk Resilience Project—A project to revitalize and enhance Waterplace Park and the adjacent Riverwalks with sustainable and resilient infrastructure for improved connectivity, accessibility, placemaking and programming.
📍💻 Where: The meeting will be held virtually (zoom link on website) and in-person at 200 Exchange Street, Unit B (Franchesca’s at Waterplace—just underneath Jacky’s Galaxie)
🗓️When: April 8th from 5:30 – 7pm
🚌Getting There: The venue is easily accessible via public transit with stops on Memorial Boulevard near Exchange Street, Francis at Finance Way, and at Providence Station.
♿️ADA accessible parking is located nearby in most of the parking lots, along Finance Way and at the Providence Station with an accessible ramp located at the drop-off area at 200 Exchange Street. Please feel free to reach out to DPD with any questions about access.

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https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/metro/ri-providence-affordable-housing-peter-pan-diner/ (Paywall)

PELRB5NGCZHZVHHIN24FC4AKJM.png

Blueprints filed with the city showed plans to redevelop the former Peter Pan Diner at 327 Elmwood Ave., which was later acquired by Johnson & Wales University, into a five-story mixed-use building with commercial space on the first floor and 44 apartments in the rest of the building.

Representatives for the Women’s Development Corporation, the project’s developer, told the City Plan Commission the units will be affordable for households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income, or AMI. A rental home is considered affordable when total housing costs are no more than 30 percent of their annual income.
 
Lrfox said:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/metro/ri-providence-affordable-housing-peter-pan-diner/ (Paywall)

PELRB5NGCZHZVHHIN24FC4AKJM.png

Blueprints filed with the city showed plans to redevelop the former Peter Pan Diner at 327 Elmwood Ave., which was later acquired by Johnson & Wales University, into a five-story mixed-use building with commercial space on the first floor and 44 apartments in the rest of the building.

Representatives for the Women’s Development Corporation, the project’s developer, told the City Plan Commission the units will be affordable for households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income, or AMI. A rental home is considered affordable when total housing costs are no more than 30 percent of their annual income.
Click to expand...
This land has been slated for development for quite some time.
 
Lrfox said:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/metro/ri-providence-affordable-housing-peter-pan-diner/ (Paywall)

PELRB5NGCZHZVHHIN24FC4AKJM.png

Blueprints filed with the city showed plans to redevelop the former Peter Pan Diner at 327 Elmwood Ave., which was later acquired by Johnson & Wales University, into a five-story mixed-use building with commercial space on the first floor and 44 apartments in the rest of the building.

Representatives for the Women’s Development Corporation, the project’s developer, told the City Plan Commission the units will be affordable for households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income, or AMI. A rental home is considered affordable when total housing costs are no more than 30 percent of their annual income.
Click to expand...
I guess this fell through. https://www.cicdofboston.org/elmood-avenue
 
Lrfox said:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/16/metro/ri-providence-affordable-housing-peter-pan-diner/ (Paywall)

PELRB5NGCZHZVHHIN24FC4AKJM.png

Blueprints filed with the city showed plans to redevelop the former Peter Pan Diner at 327 Elmwood Ave., which was later acquired by Johnson & Wales University, into a five-story mixed-use building with commercial space on the first floor and 44 apartments in the rest of the building.

Representatives for the Women’s Development Corporation, the project’s developer, told the City Plan Commission the units will be affordable for households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income, or AMI. A rental home is considered affordable when total housing costs are no more than 30 percent of their annual income.
Click to expand...
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
FOR THE PURCHASE AND REDEVELOPMENT OF
327 ELMWOOD AVENUE, PROVIDENCE, RI 02907

 
Biked the East Bay Bike Path today then cruised around downtown Providence. Love all the buffered bike lanes downtown but many of the plastic bollards are ready to be replaced.

RIDOT has done a commendable job of creating safe, bike/ped friendly detours in Warren for trail users while two bridges along the EBBP are being replaced. It was encouraging to see progress is being made on both new bridges.

Had dinner at Track 15. The place was packed and the food from Tolia was tasty.




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Progress on one of the bike/ped bridges in Warren

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It is still a tight fit at the southern end of the bridge that is entirely all in Barrington. That section using the sidewalk to get from the road bridge back to the path is very narrow and cannot fit two way bike traffic. Tight for just one bike. Do however appreciate the padding on the poles should you bump into them. It however still amazes me that the road bridges were not designed for eventual bike path use some 20 years ago when they were completely rebuilt. Should have had the foresight that the former railroad bridges the bike path used were nearing their end life. The sidewalk for the new bridges was too narrow and they had to build the temp wood decking that goes a bit into the roadway.
 
The East Bay Bike Path bridges have been closed since 2019. The old railroad bridges have been removed and will be replaced as part of a $24M project. I however think it would have been far less costly and disruptive if they had designed the new Rte 114 bridges that run parallel some 20 years ago to accommodate the bike path. The bike path had existed for many years and it had to be known the old railroad bridges were nearing their life end.


 
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