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Friendship-Pine and Providence-Tanner Block ProjectThe Friendship-Pine and Providence-Tanner Block project represents a second phase of a larger neighborhood revitalization effort undertaken by SWAP, Inc. (Stop Wasting Abandoned Property). The project entailed the rehabilitation of four deteriorated historic buildings located within the Pine Street National Register Historic District and the construction of new buildings on ten vacant lots. SWAP worked with Durkee, Brown, Viveiros & Werenfels, Architects to rehabilitate existing historic buildings while maintaining the historic character of each. By creating 31 units of affordable housing, this neighborhood revitalization project also addressed a very real housing shortage in South Providence.
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advocacy > 2003 10 most list2003 Ten Most Endangered List
 Photo By: David Ellis Christ Episcopal Church909 Eddy Street, So. ProvidenceVacant for more than twenty years, the building has deteriorated and maintenance is required before it can be used again. While the Victorian brownstone and brick building still retains its picturesque profile and distinctive detailing, its condition continues to worsen. The building made the Ten Most List in 1999 and 2002, and PPS has worked with the church in the past, but renewed fears about the building’s status have returned the structure to the list. The building is imminently threatened as a result of code violations and a pending lawsuit over ownership of the building. Status: Demolished in 2006  Photo by: Matthew Kierstead Masonic TempleBrownell Street, Smith HillBuilt in 1928, the Temple has been on the Ten Most List every year since 1995. It has been held over another year because it is at a critical stage regarding development plans and structural integrity. Current plans for the building are for Sage Hospitality Resources, a Colorado-based hotel operator, to rehabilitate the structure as a luxury hotel. Although there is support of the current plans for the building, until construction actually begins, the essentially roofless 1928 landmark is subjected to continuous damage and structural erosion. Status: Renovated into a Renaissance Marriott by Sage Hospitality, 2005-2007  Photo by: Adam Short Fox Point/Wickenden Street Bath House455 Wickenden Street, Fox PointWas included on the 2003 Ten Most List as a result of support of the building’s rehabilitation by the local community. The low-profile structure suffers from vandalism, pigeon infestation and a leaky roof, but the building is fundamentally sound and could be restored to a center of community activity. The Wickenden Bath House made the list in 1998, 1999, and 2002, but finding a new use for the historic structure has proved challenging. The building may have a brighter future if the current city administration can allocate Providence Public Buildings Authority money for the project. Status: Still awaiting renovation  Photo by: Brian MacDonald Grove Street Elementary School95 Grove Street, Broadway-Armory DistrictIt was built in 1901 as a public grammar school during a period of massive immigration. Despite the fact that the building is listed as a “contributing” resource in the Broadway-Armory National Register District, its owner has plans to demolish the building and replace it with parking. The building is included in the recently-passed Industrial and Commercial Buildings District (ICBD), which provides for Historic District Commission review of major alterations and demolitions and allows for a 30% State Tax Credit for eligible projects. The Potters Avenue School , which was listed in 2002, is currently being converted to residential use, proving the viability of conversion for these structures. Status: Demolition started (illegally) in 2007  Photo by: ArtInRuins.com What Cheer Laundry/Louttit Laundry93 Cranston Street, West EndBuilt around 1906, it has been vacant since 1987 and is rapidly deteriorating. Louttit Laundry has made several appearances on previous Ten Most Lists – in 1995, 1998, 2001, and 2002. The West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) has been leading the charge to rehab the building and is working toward listing the property on the National Register in order to access the federal tax credit. The federal credits, combined with the state’s 30% tax credit program, any Brownfields funding the building might be eligible for, and recent developments in the city’s West End , may provide an attractive incentive to induce a developer to undertake the project. Status: Still awaiting renovation  Photo by: Andrew Barr Earl P. Mason Carriage Housebehind 296 Benefit Street, College HillLocated just off Benefit Street, at the end of Benevolent Street, this small, two-story, brick carriage house sits vacant and unused. The carriage house appears on the 1875 atlas as the property of Earl P. Mason, whose residence stands at 296 Benefit Street. This is the first time that the building, now owned by RISD, has appeared on the Ten Most List, but it has sat vacant and in disrepair for many years. RISD has expressed interest in finding outside parties that may be able to rehabilitate the building while RISD retains a ground lease on the property. PPS hopes that a Ten Most listing might encourage the university to be more proactive in its attempts to locate parties to rehabilitate the building. Status: Still awaiting renovation  Photo by: Erik Gould Cranston Street Armory310 Cranston Street, West EndListed on the Ten Most in 1996-97, 1998, and 1999, the Armory stands vacant and plans for its reuse have languished. Built in 1907, the Armory’s twin towers soar above the neighborhood and are a distinct part of Providence’s skyline. In 1996 the Rhode Island National Guard permanently moved out of this landmark because of deferred maintenance and escalating operating costs. Reuse options were considered in the late 1990s, included use as a production studio and State Archives. The neighborhood has vowed to find a new use for this massive building and not allow it to remain abandoned; PPS has vowed to help them in their efforts to restore this state landmark. Status: Partial renovations made. In 2006, the Armory and its grounds were used as a staging area for area feature film projects. Still looking for a permanent use.  Photo by: Peter Goldberg West Broadway Elementary School29 Bainbridge, West EndListed as a contributing resource in the Broadway- Armory National Register District (and located in the local historic district), the school was constructed in 1904 as the parish school for St. Mary’s Academy. The building has continued to serve as a school to the present day. The school suffers from deferred maintenance with the most apparent feature being the deterioration of its prominent tower, which is visible from many parts of the neighborhood. The city could allocate funding for the repair and maintenance of the school and a maintenance schedule could be set into place to ensure that the building continues to serve the neighborhood into the future.  Photo by: Mike Cevoli Providence Produce Warehouse2 Harris Avenue, Promenade DistrictDesigned by Jenks & Ballou (engineers), it was constructed in 1929 to replace the open market on Canal Street near Market Square. This state-owned property’s future is uncertain and the new high-end residential development across Harris Avenue may increase pressures to remove this building. It is eligible for both the 30% State Tax Credit (as part of the Industrial and Commercial Buildings District) and the 20% Federal Tax Credit as part of the Provisions Warehouse National Register District. Status: Still considered an eye sore to most new residents of the neighboring 903 complex, PPS is keeping an eye on the Warehouse. Owned by the Procaccianti Group, renovation or demolition is imminent. Providence’s National Register DistrictsCitywideRecent demolitions in National Register districts that are not protected by local historic district zoning have illustrated the need for protections of the city’s historic resources. The thematic listing of Providence’s National Register Districts is in direct response to the frustrations of neighborhood residents over the increasing loss of historic buildings listed on the National Register but without local protections. A demolition delay ordinance for contributing resources listed on the National Register would help the city to examine the importance of each resource and explore demolition alternatives with owners prior to issuing a demolition permit. PPS has researched demolition delay ordinances in other cities and towns and has presented this information to the Mayor’s office. The Society’s hope is that listing on the Ten Most may garner support for increased protections that would benefit many of the city’s historic neighborhoods. |
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