Providence developments

DZH22 said:
I took my kids to the Providence Children's Museum yesterday (they were a little too old at 9 so it wasn't too great for them), before wandering to downtown and eventually eating at Blake's Tavern. The city felt bigger than it ever had and I was personally impressed with the scale, scope, and general vitality on the streets. There was a Providence Bruins game which added to the crowds in the area.

However, my girlfriend focused on some very different aspects, and wasn't wrong either... First of all, the streets were absolutely filthy. Trash, crap, broken bollards strewn across a bike lane, etc. It was especially bad the first few blocks surrounding the Children's Museum, so hopefully those empty lots get filled in and that area improves over the years. There were also a lot of sketchy characters on the streets, especially the side streets running between Weybosset to Westminster to Washington. I think it was Matthewson Rd, where the tavern was but closer to Westminster, where my son later commented that he thought we passed gang members. Lots of people were loitering, smoking, etc which is not a terrible thing in an of itself, but my girlfriend basically felt borderline unsafe right in the middle of downtown. We actually had an argument on the way home when she was propping up Portland and I kept bringing up how crappy Portland is on the other side of Congress, or even with the tent city near the arena. Also I am often accosted in Portland whereas nobody said a word to us in Providence.

We also went to the greenhouses at Roger Williams Park and I cannot recommend that area enough. It's a beautiful (and confusing) area that includes the zoo and Natural History Museum among others. However, the random roads I took out and back showcased quite a bit of blight. It does feel like every urban neighborhood surrounding the city, outside of the stunning College Hill area and limited blocks of Federal Hill, resembles a blighted dump. I see the potential for the city to be so much better, but the city/state seems to have the most defeatist loser attitude in the country. I mean, a developer (Fane) actually wanted to make a major investment and got chased out of town. Providence's tallest building has been empty for 13 years. Pawtucket fumbled away the Pawsox. Rhode Island is fumbling away Hasbro. Add it together and it really is pathetic. Providence has some amazing bones but something seems seriously wrong with the state compared to the rest of New England. I'm still hoping they save the Superman Building because that would be the crowning achievement of localized failures if they cannot.

In short, good architecture but show a little bit of pride and clean the place up.
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As far as Mathewson St is concerned, there is a church there that more or less serves as a soup kitchen & attracts a lot of homeless people, so there are occasional problems there. I'm confused as to your Portland & Congress remarks. Did you mean Portland, ME, or Portland St & Congress Avenue in Providence? The two don't meet.
 
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DZH22 said:
I took my kids to the Providence Children's Museum yesterday (they were a little too old at 9 so it wasn't too great for them), before wandering to downtown and eventually eating at Blake's Tavern. The city felt bigger than it ever had and I was personally impressed with the scale, scope, and general vitality on the streets. There was a Providence Bruins game which added to the crowds in the area.

However, my girlfriend focused on some very different aspects, and wasn't wrong either... First of all, the streets were absolutely filthy. Trash, crap, broken bollards strewn across a bike lane, etc. It was especially bad the first few blocks surrounding the Children's Museum, so hopefully those empty lots get filled in and that area improves over the years. There were also a lot of sketchy characters on the streets, especially the side streets running between Weybosset to Westminster to Washington. I think it was Matthewson Rd, where the tavern was but closer to Westminster, where my son later commented that he thought we passed gang members. Lots of people were loitering, smoking, etc which is not a terrible thing in an of itself, but my girlfriend basically felt borderline unsafe right in the middle of downtown. We actually had an argument on the way home when she was propping up Portland and I kept bringing up how crappy Portland is on the other side of Congress, or even with the tent city near the arena. Also I am often accosted in Portland whereas nobody said a word to us in Providence.

We also went to the greenhouses at Roger Williams Park and I cannot recommend that area enough. It's a beautiful (and confusing) area that includes the zoo and Natural History Museum among others. However, the random roads I took out and back showcased quite a bit of blight. It does feel like every urban neighborhood surrounding the city, outside of the stunning College Hill area and limited blocks of Federal Hill, resembles a blighted dump. I see the potential for the city to be so much better, but the city/state seems to have the most defeatist loser attitude in the country. I mean, a developer (Fane) actually wanted to make a major investment and got chased out of town. Providence's tallest building has been empty for 13 years. Pawtucket fumbled away the Pawsox. Rhode Island is fumbling away Hasbro. Add it together and it really is pathetic. Providence has some amazing bones but something seems seriously wrong with the state compared to the rest of New England. I'm still hoping they save the Superman Building because that would be the crowning achievement of localized failures if they cannot.

In short, good architecture but show a little bit of pride and clean the place up.
Click to expand...
Your litter comments surprise me.


Since 2005, the Providence Downtown Improvement District (DID) has had a visible presence downtown, working side-by-side with community partners. The DID Clean Team is on litter patrol every day. You’ll find team members wearing bright yellow uniforms, sweeping the sidewalks and collecting trash throughout the downtown district. Keeping downtown clean and attractive is a top priority. DID safety guides work closely with the Providence Police Department and other members of the community to keep downtown safe and welcoming. Every day, they patrol the district on foot, on bike and on segway, providing extra eyes and ears on the street. The DID has managed the seasonal downtown planting program, to great acclaim. The program includes 248 hanging baskets, 60 large-scale sidewalk planters, and eight ground-level planting areas. The gorgeous flowers add a pop of color downtown, and as visitors frequently comment, the city has never looked better!
 
Frankie811 said:
As far as Mathewson St is concerned, there is a church there that more or less serves as a soup kitchen & attracts a lot of homeless people, so there are occasional problems there. I'm confused as to your Portland & Congress remarks. Did you mean Portland, ME, or Portland St & Congress Avenue in Providence? The two don't meet.
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I meant Portland Maine. Congress Street is basically the "main" street although in some ways isn't, and sits on top of the hill. The area towards the Old Port is the good side of downtown, but also has essentially a tent city across from the arena on Spring Street. However, the backside of Congress out to 295 does not feel like a safe area whatsoever. My girlfriend and I were basically arguing over which city has the larger total area of "safe" walkability.
 
Frankie811 said:
Your litter comments surprise me.


Since 2005, the Providence Downtown Improvement District (DID) has had a visible presence downtown....
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They must not make it out to the Children's Museum and general area that opened up from removing 195. I couldn't argue with her there. The sidewalks were filthy. Westminster is the only street I really notice that's typically clean. I love that street but further from it can get pretty bad, pretty quickly.
 
DZH22 said:
They must not make it out to the Children's Museum and general area that opened up from removing 195. I couldn't argue with her there. The sidewalks were filthy. Westminster is the only street I really notice that's typically clean. I love that street but further from it can get pretty bad, pretty quickly.
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The Downtown Improvement District (DID) generally extends from Weybosset to Sabin Street, and from Memorial Blvd to Empire St. The workers wear yellow jackets.
 
Frankie811 said:
The Downtown Improvement District (DID) generally extends from Weybosset to Sabin Street, and from Memorial Blvd to Empire St. The workers wear yellow jackets.
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That's all well and good, but that leaves this entire yellow-highlighted section to still be dirty, and dirty it was. It was actually my first time walking through the Jewelry District (assuming that includes through the Children's Museum?). Even though the highrises seem to be RIGHT THERE don't try walking with young kids from the museum to downtown.

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DZH22 said:
That's all well and good, but that leaves this entire yellow-highlighted section to still be dirty, and dirty it was. It was actually my first time walking through the Jewelry District (assuming that includes through the Children's Museum?). Even though the highrises seem to be RIGHT THERE don't try walking with young kids from the museum to downtown.

View attachment 71105
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Yes, the Children's Museum is in the Jewelry District. So are many Brown University buildings. I haven't been down there in years, so I can't attest to the littering situation. I'm sure that the Fountain & Sabin St area (the Amp & Convention Center) are much cleaner, as is the S. Main St historic areas, as well as College Hill. Have you been to a Waterfire event?
 
The city does feel kinda dirty right now. We just had heaps of snow melt and there is shit everywhere. I would say it's atypical. And yes Mathewson outside that church that feeds people in need is kinda always gross and sketch. Bless that church though. South Providence, like many Providence neighbirhoods, is very poor and untidy. There are heaps of issues since deindustrialization and white flight. Downtown and the Jewelry District is unquestionably trendy up though in terms of physical improvement. Despite some residual, old guard losers in leadership within the city and the state I would say there is equally or more really innovative strong voices moving things in a positive direction. IMO the 195 commission is doing an excellent job and we thankfully we're not passing parcels to land bankers like Fane. What we are seeing from groups like One Neighborhood, SWAP and Crossroads is excellent. The city and their investment in projects like what's happening around Sims, Broad and in the efforts within the comprehensive plan are at a scale that quietly move things forward effectively for people living here at present and in the future. But yes there is definitely shit everywhere right now and we can do better.
 
DZH22 said:
I took my kids to the Providence Children's Museum yesterday (they were a little too old at 9 so it wasn't too great for them), before wandering to downtown and eventually eating at Blake's Tavern. The city felt bigger than it ever had and I was personally impressed with the scale, scope, and general vitality on the streets. There was a Providence Bruins game which added to the crowds in the area.

However, my girlfriend focused on some very different aspects, and wasn't wrong either... First of all, the streets were absolutely filthy. Trash, crap, broken bollards strewn across a bike lane, etc. It was especially bad the first few blocks surrounding the Children's Museum, so hopefully those empty lots get filled in and that area improves over the years. There were also a lot of sketchy characters on the streets, especially the side streets running between Weybosset to Westminster to Washington. I think it was Matthewson Rd, where the tavern was but closer to Westminster, where my son later commented that he thought we passed gang members. Lots of people were loitering, smoking, etc which is not a terrible thing in an of itself, but my girlfriend basically felt borderline unsafe right in the middle of downtown. We actually had an argument on the way home when she was propping up Portland and I kept bringing up how crappy Portland is on the other side of Congress, or even with the tent city near the arena. Also I am often accosted in Portland whereas nobody said a word to us in Providence.

We also went to the greenhouses at Roger Williams Park and I cannot recommend that area enough. It's a beautiful (and confusing) area that includes the zoo and Natural History Museum among others. However, the random roads I took out and back showcased quite a bit of blight. It does feel like every urban neighborhood surrounding the city, outside of the stunning College Hill area and limited blocks of Federal Hill, resembles a blighted dump. I see the potential for the city to be so much better, but the city/state seems to have the most defeatist loser attitude in the country. I mean, a developer (Fane) actually wanted to make a major investment and got chased out of town. Providence's tallest building has been empty for 13 years. Pawtucket fumbled away the Pawsox. Rhode Island is fumbling away Hasbro. Add it together and it really is pathetic. Providence has some amazing bones but something seems seriously wrong with the state compared to the rest of New England. I'm still hoping they save the Superman Building because that would be the crowning achievement of localized failures if they cannot.

In short, good architecture but show a little bit of pride and clean the place up.
Click to expand...
damn, kind of a bummer to hear the spaces aren't being well taken care of in the jewelry district/downtown. Last time I was walking around the medical school and lab buildings seemed to be alright, but I didn't really go much deeper into the neighborhood than that. The 195 parcels on the other side of the river seem to be progressing nicely though, I wish we had a trader joes in walking distance when I was there 😭
 
DZH22 said:
I took my kids to the Providence Children's Museum yesterday (they were a little too old at 9 so it wasn't too great for them), before wandering to downtown and eventually eating at Blake's Tavern. The city felt bigger than it ever had and I was personally impressed with the scale, scope, and general vitality on the streets. There was a Providence Bruins game which added to the crowds in the area.

However, my girlfriend focused on some very different aspects, and wasn't wrong either... First of all, the streets were absolutely filthy. Trash, crap, broken bollards strewn across a bike lane, etc. It was especially bad the first few blocks surrounding the Children's Museum, so hopefully those empty lots get filled in and that area improves over the years. There were also a lot of sketchy characters on the streets, especially the side streets running between Weybosset to Westminster to Washington. I think it was Matthewson Rd, where the tavern was but closer to Westminster, where my son later commented that he thought we passed gang members. Lots of people were loitering, smoking, etc which is not a terrible thing in an of itself, but my girlfriend basically felt borderline unsafe right in the middle of downtown. We actually had an argument on the way home when she was propping up Portland and I kept bringing up how crappy Portland is on the other side of Congress, or even with the tent city near the arena. Also I am often accosted in Portland whereas nobody said a word to us in Providence.

We also went to the greenhouses at Roger Williams Park and I cannot recommend that area enough. It's a beautiful (and confusing) area that includes the zoo and Natural History Museum among others. However, the random roads I took out and back showcased quite a bit of blight. It does feel like every urban neighborhood surrounding the city, outside of the stunning College Hill area and limited blocks of Federal Hill, resembles a blighted dump. I see the potential for the city to be so much better, but the city/state seems to have the most defeatist loser attitude in the country. I mean, a developer (Fane) actually wanted to make a major investment and got chased out of town. Providence's tallest building has been empty for 13 years. Pawtucket fumbled away the Pawsox. Rhode Island is fumbling away Hasbro. Add it together and it really is pathetic. Providence has some amazing bones but something seems seriously wrong with the state compared to the rest of New England. I'm still hoping they save the Superman Building because that would be the crowning achievement of localized failures if they cannot.

In short, good architecture but show a little bit of pride and clean the place up.
Click to expand...
To be fair re: the trash - it's made a whole lot worse by the recent rapid snow melt. It's a common theme on reddit right now - every neighborhood street/sidewalk is littered with trash/junk that has accumulated in the snowbanks for the past 1.5+ months. And that's to say nothing of the dog crap. My wife and I were pretty grossed out while walking to get coffee on Sunday AM. I'm not saying it's always perfect, but it's absolutely worse than normal right now because of how much snow we had and how fast it's melting. Hopefully that gets cleaned up in the next couple of months.

Mathewson St. has actually gotten worse in the last 6 months to a year with the homeless situation. I feel bad for the Hotel Providence because it's a nice spot, but for some reason, those empty storefronts next to it have become a hangout for the unhoused/mentally ill. I definitely understand the unsafe feeling.

It's funny, my wife and I spend a few weekends in Portland each year and we've talked about the homeless problem there compared to here. We both agree with you. I have a harder time with it there than I do in Providence. Last time I was there (January), we got breakfast one morning at Coffee Me Up on Cumberland. An addict had locked herself in the bathroom (and they had called police), and another guy who could barely stand was yelling at people behind the counter because his card was declined. When I was finally able to order, the girl said it's a common occurrence. I've been yelled at repeatedly on Congress too. Never in Providence. In your wife's defense, I think the difference is that Congress St. is kind of a barrier for most visitors. If you spend your time between the waterfront and Congress, you're not going to experience the bulk of it. In Providence, you can just randomly stumble across that downtown. So I can see how it would feel sketchier. Kennedy Plaza can feel worse than anything in Central Portland too. It's an issue everywhere. Even Burlington VT has its issues.
 
The loss of the PawSox was not on Pawtucket. It did everything it could. It was the politics at the statehouse that allowed the team to move. The prime person got their departure was Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello. Gov Raimondo supported a move to keep the team but did not have the courage to put her full weight behind it.


As for Hasbro, there may have been nothing that could be done. It no longer had locals running the company and it's new CEO was intent on leaving the state for the big city. Pawtucket and RI never had a chance.
 
Mathewson Street contains a shelter for the homeless run by a church. It is right across from the boutique Hotel Providence. That is why you saw what you did along that stretch. Many that frequent the shelter hang around outside it on that block.


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