Carpionato’s Project at Former Prov Benny’s Site Gets Initial Approval - Includes Demo & Expansion

Carpionato’s Project at Former Prov Benny’s Site Gets Initial Approval - Includes Demo & Expansion

The plan by Cranston-based Carpionato Group to transform the former Benny’s location off of Branch Avenue into a new center for healthcare and retail won key approvals by the Providence City Plan Commission on Tuesday evening.

The new development will transform both the historic Dryden Mill complex and the Benny’s structure into a new office and retail complex, for one of the biggest expansions in years adjacent to the East Side section of Providence. The location will also require a new traffic pattern that still needs RI Department of Transporation approval.

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David Taglianetti, Vice President of Development with the Carpionato Group, noted that a half dozen engineers and architects were on hand to "answer any questions" the Commission might have. 

"This site is probably familiar to all of you — the former Benny’s," said Taglianett. "It also includes the Dryden Mill Project. It also includes a smaller office building."

"A portion of this project includes demolition of a portion of the existing Benny’s building, and a portion of the Dryden Mill building. We’ve filed demolition and building permits — we’ve obtained those permits and started demolition on both those building," he added.

"This portion here is being removed, and the frontage is being cut back," he said, pointing to where they plan to cut the Benny's building back. "The use of the building is going to be retail. The depth of the building is just not conducive to cutting up the building for retail use. So we’re going to reduce the depth of the building by approximately 25 feet to more manageable 80-foot depth.
 

"In total, the Benny’s building will be redeveloped to 25,000 square feet.  Dryden Mill, 64,763 square feet, and redevelopment for a three-story office building for 7,950 square feet," said Taglianetti, noting that just the buildings' portion of the entire development totals 98,000 plus square feet. 

The proposed changes dramatically increases parking at the new development.

One of the tenants is expected to be The Miriam Hospital.

Requesting Variance -- For Larger Signage

The project will require some demolition at both the Dryden Mill Building and the Benny's structure. Carpionato purchased 29 former Benny's retail locations in November of 2017.

Bob Azar, Deputy Director of Planning and Development for the City of Providence, provided an overview of the agenda item to commission members ahead of the presentation. 

"The changes they’re making to the commercial building don’t even rise to the level of review by Commission," said Azar. "While this is a massive project, you’re essentially looking at a site plan — parking layout, landscaping, reconfiguration of curb cuts."

"[The are] asking for a variance to exceed the maximum signage — the reason for that is because this is such a large complex that will have many tenants, that they feel that they need the extra space for signage," said Azar. 

The new development includes a two-level parking structure adjacent to the Dryden Mill Building.