Developer Looks to Convert Black Church in Prov Into Micro Lofts, Raising Gentrification Concerns
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
A Providence developer is proposing to turn a now-vacant historically Black church in the Elmwood section of Providence into “micro lofts” — which has drawn the attention of community leaders who have raised concerns about gentrification.
Blue Dog Capital Partners, LLC is appearing before the Providence Zoning Board of Review — via Zoom — on Wednesday evening, to present their application to rezone what was the Hood Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 126 Adelaide Street, from a “place of worship to a multi-family dwelling with 18 units.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTBlue Dog principals include Sean N. Marchionte and Richard Tasca.
The church was built in 1901, and expanded in 1906. The architect was Howard K. Hilton.
Zoning Board Meeting on Zoom Wednesday at 5:30 PM: See Proposal and Renderings HERE
“Gentrification is running rampant, and the city has no response,” said former Rhode Island State Representative Ray Rickman, who founded the nonprofit Stages of Freedom. “This is a historic district, in a historic neighborhood.”
“It should be preserved and protected and the question is how do you do that? This is fascinating,” said Rickman. “Look, the city needs at least 40,000 additional housing units. And I’m pro-growth. We need it for the tax base, business, and housing."
"I am in favor of additional housing for middle and upper-class people of any race — so they stop taking housing from Black and Latino people, the three-deckers that keep getting bought up. This city’s 51% Black and Brown," he added.
“But how do we preserve a historically Black church? You can put housing in half of it, but leave half for the community. You can set aside units that have rental rates in line with the community. You can require the developer set aside 1, 2% for new housing in the city,” said Rickman. “There are a number of things we can do, but the city does not have a comprehensive plan.”
“This is maybe the most important issue facing the city, apart from the potential for bankruptcy,” said Rickman. “Economic status, race, with new housing means more people will have kids in schools. The answer to everything isn’t ‘no’ — I’m not opposed to new housing, I’m opposed to the elimination of an African American church and historical site.”
Community, Development — and Providence Preservation Society
“It’s a bad move,” said community leader Rochelle Lee. “For me, when I hear about churches going away, it’s only because the community can’t afford to maintain them. But they have a role in the community.”
“It’s sad to see what happened with Hood,” said Lee. “Parishioners had to go to another church in Cranston. There’s been some vandalism, but it could have been much worse, if the community wasn’t looking out.”
“We need a place for the community, not micro lofts,” said Lee, who called the renderings submitted for Wednesday's meeting as "tone deaf" for the lack of diversity shown.
Blue Dog Capital said that they believe there is a demand in the neighborhood for micro lofts. "There is a need in the area for housing," said Sarah Harris with Blue Dog. "These will be unique cool micro lofts for the people of the area."
Harris said that she believes the exterior of the church will be kept intact.
The Providence Preservation Society on Wednesday expressed their concerns.
"We've reached out to the developer but have not received a response. Based on the submitted plans, it appears to be a sympathetic adaptive reuse of a building that has been listed on our Most Endangered Properties list because of vacancy and neglect by previous owners," said PPS Director Brent Runyon.
"A concern of the neighborhood, one we share, is whether the introduction of that many new residents could contribute to displacement," he added. "We hope that community dialogue and engagement will take place to lessen this potential outcome."
Attorney John Mancini who represents the developers said they have done "all that has been required."
Mancini said that while the developer has not had meetings with the community, it went though historic design review and sent notices to abutters regarding Wednesday's zoning board appearance.
"They're going to be affordable," said Mancini, of the micro-lofts that he said will likely start in the $1250 a month range.
"There's also the possibility they could be condos," he added. "Look, you’re going to take a building that’s becoming problematic -- the longer it goes in the condition it’s in, the harder it will be to save it. The alternative Is to make lots out of it — we think that saving the church is a better way to do it."
