Smiley Administration Removes Cobblestones at Prominent Historic Intersection
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Mayor Brett Smiley’s administration has torn up all of the cobblestones and brickwork at one of the most prominent historic intersections in downtown Providence.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAnd, his office tells GoLocal the medallion-designed brick and stone work will not be replaced -- it will be blacktopped when utility and road work is completed.
The location is the corner of Dorrance and Westminster Streets.
Surrounding the area is the former Greater Providence Trust Building and the cobblestone medallion that is the centerpiece of the intersection.
It was the featured location for the Dancing Cop for his holiday traffic direction. For decades, Tony Lepore was a noontime feature attracting hundreds of passersby.
In 2009, CBS Sunday Morning came to Providence for a feature on Lepore hosted by Mo Rocca.
For Providence, its history and architecture are big business driving tourism to Providence.
Providence is known as one of the top cities in the United States for preserving some of its cobblestones or, in the case of the Dorrance and Westminster intersection, it leveraged stonework to create an architectural enhancement in the city.
But now, no more.
Smiley's press person, Josh Estrella, said in an email to GoLocal, "The City is not replacing the center medallion because it was determined that they get damaged too significantly by the bus traffic on Dorrance." But over the years, the stone work was repeatedly torn up by utility companies and not properly restored.
"Eight Places in North America to Walk on Cobblestones," features Providence along with Montreal, Boston, and Savannah to name a few. The feature writes about Providence: "Providence, Rhode Island, is a hidden gem for cobblestone enthusiasts. Wander through the city's historic districts and discover cobblestone streets that wind through scenic neighborhoods. One such area is Benefit Street, known as the 'Mile of History,' where you can admire beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century homes. Providence's cobblestone streets are not only beautiful but also provide a glimpse into the city's rich heritage."
"Cobblestones have disappeared from many streets. They played an important role in cities throughout New England. With the strength of cobblestone, no ruts developed in the streets. The surface remained flexible, so it wouldn’t crack during freezes. The stones also wouldn’t easily crack due to any normal movement on the road. Cobblestones prevented a road from getting muddy when it rained or from getting dusty in dry weather," according to the company Gavin Historical Bricks.
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