Dr. Downtown, David Brussat: Free Advice for Elorza
Monday, December 01, 2014
For some free advice, Providence Mayor-elect Jorge Elorza should read last week’s advice for Gov.-elect Gina Raimondo. It’s the same, except that the basis in law for it is even stronger for the city than for the state. The city’s municipal code requires that new development respect the historic character of Providence.
Article 1, Section 101, of the city’s new zoning code reads: “The purposes of this ordinance include . . . protection of the natural, historic, cultural and scenic character of the city.” Article 6, Section 606, reads: “Design Standards for New Construction. The purpose of these standards is to preserve the urban fabric of downtown Providence and ensure that new construction complements the historical character and architectural integrity of existing structures.”
Again, as with the new governor, the new mayor need not send the cops out to bust developers who have broken the law. But going forward, the mayor should kindly request that those seeking to build in Providence propose buildings that fit into its historic setting. Developers have to jump a lot of hoops to get anything done. Clear direction from the mayor would help get things done faster and better. It need only be couched as a request to help the city strengthen its most unique and visible economic asset – its beauty.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThose who want to build here and grow the economy get the runaround from municipal boards and commissions. Almost all of the members of these bodies believe in voodoo aesthetics – modern architecture. That is the elephant in the living room here. Permitting panels realize that most of the public is skeptical of most new building projects that knee historical character in the groin, but they still want to show deference to the local design establishment’s voodoo proclivities. So their advice to applicants is often confusing and disingenuous - especially if the developer already wants to build something the public will like. This may sound absurd, but it is a fact. I have seen it again and again and again.
That is why developers so often leave commission meetings rolling their eyes and pulling at their hair in frustration.
The new mayor can make Providence a more developer-friendly environment by instructing the permitting boards and commissions to obey the law that protects the city’s historic character. He should encourage not only its protection but its expansion. He can ask developers to propose buildings that look traditional, and he can demand that boards and commissions say yes. The new mayor has many difficult jobs to do. This one is easy.
Housing the Knowledge District
Municipal authorities in Providence are kept at arm’s length under the law that directs the Route 195 Redevelopment District Commission. The commission is its own authority in the permitting process. Freezing the city out of its own authority was part of the General Assembly’s idea of “one-stop shopping” to facilitate building on the land.
The first developer to sign an agreement to buy land in the district is already testing this arrangement. PPC Land Ventures proposes a $50 million dormitory-style building with ground-floor retail. No design for the proposal has been submitted to the commission yet, but the developer is already seeking a tax-stabilization deal with the city.
The 195 commission may have one-stop shopping for developers, but its fees are high. The commissioners should be thankful that Providence is waving possible TSAs for 195 developers. These deals cut property taxes over a set period of years, and make the 195 land more attractive to developers. The state should appreciate the city’s assistance, but the city should exact a price. A very small price. A price that will actually be helpful to the developers, the city and the state.
In short, the new mayor and the new governor should link arms, and put their free advice (see above) into effect by asking Land Ventures to propose a dorm that will protect and extend the historic character of Providence. Its design of the proposed six-story building on Parcel 28 should fit snugly amid at least three (3) historic brick buildings nearby.
This could be an early sign of whether the city and state can develop not just a building that obeys the law but a positive relationship that will benefit the economy.
Welcome home, John Hay!
John Hay, a native of Illinois, was private secretary to President Abraham Lincoln, who following his election is said to have replied to a request that he hire Hay, “We can't take all Illinois with us down to Washington" but then "Well, let Hay come.” Almost 40 years later Hay was appointed secretary of state by President McKinley.
His namesake library at Brown University was completed in 1910, five years after Hay’s death. Now the Hay is reborn. The Reading Room, which had long ago been divided into smaller spaces, has been restored to its original grandeur. It may be viewed by the public but remains a sanctuary of academic research for Brown students and visiting scholars. It feels good to have unblemished applause for a product of Brown University - which John Hay was too. He graduated in 1858.
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