NEW: Proposed Downtown Skyscraper Being Converted To Parking Lot
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The former Old Colony Bank property that was supposed to be converted to one of downtown Providence’s tallest skyscrapers will be a parking lot by the winter, GoLocalProv has learned.
The city’s planning department agreed Monday to a request from the Boston-based company that owns the property at 110 Westminster Street.
In a letter sent to the Department of Inspections and Standards in August, E. Jerome Batty of HinckleyAllenSnyder, who represents the property owners, requested the land be converted to a parking lot.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTExtreme Adverse Economic Conditions To Blame
The letter blamed the economy for the owner’s failure to follow through with the original plan for development, which called for a skyscraper that would have housed a W Hotel.
“As you know, the owner has been prevented from proceeding with its plan for the development of the property due to the extreme adverse economic conditions being experienced through the country,” the letter said. “Commercial real estate development has been particularly impacted by the poor economy.”
New Plans
Batty’s letter also proposed a plan for creating a parking lot and making other land improvements.
“I am enclosing for your review, a Parking Layout Plan and a Planting Plan which have been prepared by Gates Layton & Associates, Inc. In conjunction with the site improvements, the Owner is requesting approval from the Downcity Design Review Committee for the relocation of the structural steel supporting the facade on Weybosset Street from the exterior of the facade to the interior of the facade.
On Tuesday, city planner Christopher Ise confirmed the plans to move forward on the project, saying it is expected to be complete before the winter.
