Brown Moves to Tear Down 4 Multi-Family Homes for New Building - Here Is What Smiley and PPS Said

Brown Moves to Tear Down 4 Multi-Family Homes for New Building - Here Is What Smiley and PPS Said

Brown University is moving forward with plans to tear down four multi-family homes on Brook Street in the Fox Point section of Providence to build a new economics building.

Today, the economics department is housed in Robinson Hall, the historic building located at 64 Waterman Street. The new structure proposed by Brown is 50,000 square feet.

Presently, the number one issue facing Providence and much of Rhode Island is the lack of affordable housing. 

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Brown has owned the four houses for decades and is looking to demolish them. But that is just part of the story.

 

Failure to Maintain, Failed Promised University-owned

Previously, GoLocal wrote a report about two of the four houses that had fallen into disrepair with broken steps, vandalism, graffiti, and boarded windows.  Neighbors contact GoLocal to complain about the lack of maintenance and compliance with the housing code.

After that report, Brown made minor improvements. But peeling paint and boarded windows continue.

In 2010, it was reported that Brown had promised to sell the properties for residential use.

Then, in August of 2025, a commercial real estate firm representing Brown University said it was marketing the homes for sale.

 

Smiley Refuses

GoLocal reached out to Providence Mayor Brett Smiley about the move to tear down the homes. He refused to take a position despite repeated requests over two days.

Smiley’s office said on Monday, “Mayor Smiley understands that discussions pertaining to this proposed development on Brook Street are preliminary and formal approval from the City Plan Commission will be required before this project can move forward. It is his expectation that any proposed development changes to these buildings are done in conjunction with the community's input.”

Despite repeated requests, he refused to address the issue of the loss of housing.

 

 

 

PPS Takes a Stand

While Smiley refused to take a position, Marisa Brown, the executive director of Providence Preservation Society, raised strong concerns.

"Brown treats the city's fabric as expendable. This is not new. It's been going on since the 1950s, when Brown's demolition of more than 50 historic homes led to PPS's formation in 1956. PPS has many serious concerns about this project and we will be articulating them -- with action recommendations -- in the statement that goes out this week," said Brown.