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A selection of photos readers have recently shared in our Flickr Group:

Photo © Jenblossom

Photo © Jerri Moon Cantone

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Photo (cc) José Mamona

Barry Schiller, a retired Rhode Island College math professor, is a long-time member of the State Planning Council’s Transportation Advisory Committee. He also was on the RIPTA Board of Directors 1995-1999.

I could be wrong, but it seems to me that prospects for building the proposed College Hill – Hospitals/South Providence streetcar, a $127 million project, are fading.

RIPTA itself has clearly stated they won’t fund the project out of their existing revenue stream, already inadequate for maintaining its bus system. Their initial proposal for the next four year TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) being developed did suggest $2.5 million in FY2013 for the streetcar’s next phase of preliminary engineering an design. This is only about 1/3 the cost, the rest to be paid for by someone else. But since expected capital funds were inadequate for their original plan, RIPTA then modified this proposal to allocate only $1.5 million on streetcar design spread out later over 2014 and 2015. RIPTA understandably does not want to spend any more money on this unless the political process comes up with a funding source to design, build, and operate the streetcar. Indeed it seems there must be a financial plan to do this to get any more Federal dollars for this project. But the city of Providence, its big institutions, local property owners, and the state and Federal governments are all under financial stress and I see little prospect that any of them will step up to pay for the streetcar in any big way.

My take on the streetcar at last week’s RIPTA Board meeting is that RIPTA leaders expect to conclude the corridor study by selecting the streetcar as the locally preferred alternative, but then it will likely just sit there until there is a funding mechanism. Further diminishing its prospects is the resignation of Thomas Deller, as Chair of the RIPTA Board of Directors, which removes the foremost streetcar advocate from a position of leadership at RIPTA.

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Read the rest of Barry Schiller: Providence Streetcar on Life Support? (183 words)

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In reading this month’s Zoning Board of Review agenda [.pdf], I came across this:

APPELLANT: GP Arcade Garage, LLC
PROPERTY OWNER: 110 Providence Owner, LLC
SUBJECT PROPERTY: Vacant land located at 90 Westminster Street, a/k/a Lot 123 on the Tax Assessor’s Plat 20
ZONING DISTRICTS: D-1 Downtown Central Business District and DD Downcity Overlay District (A Street) The Appellant is appealing the Director’s decision to issue a building permit (No. B2011-3886, dated November 29, 2011) contending that the proposed construction of a surface parking lot is in violation of Sections 502 and 502.2(F)(3) of the Zoning Ordinance

So that would be the owners for the Arcade Garage on Weybosset Street arguing that the owners of the lot at 35 Weybosset Street/110 (90) Westminster Street, should not be allowed to have a surface parking lot at that location because it goes against the Zoning Ordinance.

Here’s the sections cited[1]:

Section 502 – Downcity District
The purpose of the Downcity District is to encourage and direct development in the downtown to ensure that: new development is compatible with the existing historic building fabric and the historic character of downtown; historic structures are preserved, and design alterations are in keeping with historic character; development encourages day and nighttime activities that relate to the pedestrian and promote the arts, entertainment and housing; and that the goals of the Comprehensive Plan are achieved. The design of the exterior of all buildings, open spaces and all exterior physical improvements in the Downcity District shall be regulated and approved through development plan review in accordance with the provisions of this section.

and

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Image from Google Street View

Last night the City Council passed a resolution naming the City Administrative Building at 444 Westminster Street after former Mayor Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. Doorley, a Democrat was mayor from January 1965 through January 1975, preceeding Buddy Cianci.

Press release from the City Council:

Council Names New Municipal Building After Mayor Doorley

On Thursday, February 2nd, the Providence City Council passed a resolution officially naming the City’s new municipal building after former Mayor Joseph A. Doorley, Jr. “A consummate public servant who helped modernize and revitalize our City, I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Mayor Doorley,” said Council President Michael A. Solomon (Ward Five).

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The House Ways and Means Committee is set to vote, tomorrow, on a Bill which would eliminate dedicated funding for Public Transportation. Transportation for America has the story:

A key House Committee is threatening to kill three decades of successful investments in mass transit — originally started under President Ronald Reagan — by ending the guarantee for dedicated funding for public transportation, leaving millions of riders already faced with service cuts and fare increases out in the cold.

In a stunning development late last night, House leadership and the Ways and Means committee made a shocking attack on transit that would have huge impacts for the millions of people who depend on public transportation each day.

They proposed putting every public transportation system in immediate peril by eliminating guaranteed funding for the Mass Transit Account and forcing transit to go begging before Congress for general funds each year — all while highway spending continues to be guaranteed with protected funds for half a decade at a time.

Get involved
Can you take just a moment and tell your representative that this short-sighted idea is intolerable for their voters?

Read more at Transportation for America.

See also: Ways and Means Proposal Would Derail How America Gets To Work And Put Public Transportation On Life Support from Smart Growth America and today’s News & Notes.

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Photo (cc) Steven Damron

→ House Ways and Means proposal to end guaranteed funding for public transportation undoes bipartisan agreement since Reagan [Transportation for America]

After service cuts and fare hikes, House leadership plan gives transit riders more to worry about

Reversing policy begun under President Ronald Reagan, House Ways and Means Committee – at the direction of House leadership – could move Friday to end guaranteed funding for public transportation, and leave even today’s inadequate funding levels in doubt.

The proposal to bar public transit from receiving funds from the federal motor fuels tax is part of a bill coming before the House Ways and Means Committee Friday morning. That bill sets the revenue levels for the five-year surface transportation bill making its way through the House Transportation and Infrastructure committee today.

→ GOP highway spending bill ‘the worst,’ Ray LaHood says [Politico]

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday the House GOP’s highway spending plan is “the worst transportation bill” he’s seen in decades.

“This is the most partisan transportation bill that I have ever seen,” LaHood said in an exclusive interview with POLITICO.

“And it also is the most anti-safety bill I have ever seen. It hollows out our No. 1 priority, which is safety, and frankly, it hollows out the guts of the transportation efforts that we’ve been about for the last three years,” LaHood added. “It’s the worst transportation bill I’ve ever seen during 35 years of public service.”

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Read the rest of News & Notes – Transportation Bill (365 words)

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Reports are coming in from a press conference that Mayor Taveras held this morning, things aren’t good. The Mayor is calling for concessions from non-profits and retirees or the city faces receivership and bankruptcy.

See the end of the post for a Press Release from the City.

• Saving Providence [City of Providence]
• Mayor: Retirees, tax-exempts must sacrifice [WPRI]
• Providence mayor: Without retiree COLA reductions, more from tax-exempts, city will be ‘forced into bankruptcy’ [The Providence Journal]
• Taveras: without sacrifice, Providence will face bankruptcy [RI NPR]
• Taveras: For Providence, it’s concessions or bust – literally [WPRI - Nesi's Notes]
• NEW: Providence Councilman says He’ll “Go to War” Over Tax Hike [GoLocalProv]

City of #Providence is seeking expedited review of Superior Court decision barring city from moving public-safety retirees to Medicare

— Ian Donnis (@IanDon) February 2, 2012

Taveras says retiree benefits will be reduced one way or another. Voluntarily, or… he mentions Central Falls, where receiver cut them.

— Erika Niedowski (@eniedowski) February 2, 2012

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Read the rest of Developing: Taveras warns of Receivership, Bankruptcy at morning Press Conference (805 words)

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Governor Lincoln Chafee’s State of the State and budget address:

Remarks as Prepared
January 31, 2012

Mr. Speaker, Madam President, members of the General Assembly, fellow General Officers, members of the Judiciary, distinguished guests, and my fellow Rhode Islanders.

This evening represents an important chance for us to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming year. But it also offers an opportunity to reflect on where we have been, and to remember those who came before us. In that spirit, I’d like to pay homage to a friend who died last week, Governor Garrahy, and honor him with a moment of silence.

[Moment of silence.]

Thank you.

Throughout Governor Garrahy’s long and distinguished career, as a legislator, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor, he always put the people of Rhode Island first. That was the key to his phenomenal success in politics and as a person.

I especially want to remember one aspect of his leadership. Governor Garrahy was a true gentleman. He treated everyone – including his political foes – with dignity. The highest official of our state was completely down to earth, and always approachable. As we prepare to debate the issues of our time, and work to address our daunting challenges, let us learn from Governor Garrahy and treat one another with respect. Like him, we are all Rhode Islanders, and we all want what is best for the people of our great state.

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Photo (cc) mirsasha

Yesterday, the House of Representatives released their proposed Transportation budget bill and it sucks. Smart Growth America reports:

Today the House released its draft transportation bill to the public. Our colleagues at Transportation for America are still evaluating the overall bill, but we have a chance in the next 24 hours to help fix America’s bridges and restore the dedicated funding that makes our roads safer for people on foot or bike, which has been eliminated.

We need your help: tell your Representative to support two amendments that would restore funding for safe biking and walking, and make repairing our deficient bridges a priority.

The House committee that wrote the bill will vote on it Thursday morning, and they will decide in less than 48 hours what to change before approving it and moving it to the full House for a vote.

From the League of American Bicyclists:

The proposed bill eliminates dedicated funding for bicycling and walking as we feared, and it goes much further and systematically removes bicycling from the Federal transportation program. It basically eliminates our status and standing in the planning and design of our transportation system – a massive step backwards for individuals, communities and our nation. It’s a step back to a 1950s highway – and auto-only program that makes no sense in the 21st century.

The bill reverses 20 years of progress by:

• destroying Transportation Enhancements by making it optional;
• repealing the Safe Routes to School program, reversing years of progress in creating safe ways for kids to walk and ride bicycles to school;
• allowing states to build bridges without safe access for pedestrians and bicycles;
• eliminating bicycle and pedestrian coordinators in state DOTs; and
• eliminating language that insures that rumble strips “do not adversely affect the safety or mobility of bicyclists, pedestrians or the disabled.”

The Bill is available to read here. [.pdf] Neither of Rhode Island’s Congressmen are on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which will be voting to move this Bill to the full House. Langevin and Cicilline should urge their colleagues who are on the Committee to vote against it and be prepared to vote against it if it makes it to the full House.

You can contact your Congressperson on this issue by visiting Transportation for America.

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Photo from the Office of the Mayor, Medellin via Transportation Nation

Medellín, Columbia has installed this escalator as a form of public transit in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. As reported by the BBC, the escalator is built in 6 parts and climbs 1,260 feet. Before the $7million project the neighborhood’s residents spent on average a half hour to climb the hill; with the escalator the climb takes 5 minutes.

College Hill anyone?

And don’t forget, the best thing about an escalator is, “An escalator can never break–it can only become stairs. You would never see an ‘Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order’ sign, just ‘Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience. We apologize for the fact that you can still get up there.’”

See also: Transportation Nation

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Oh right, this building was torn down this week. The above photo was emailed to us, the below photo was shared in our Flickr Group.

Photo (cc) provbenson2009

People are saying this is the former Bevo Nightclub but we’re pretty sure Bevo was in the brick building next to it. I don’t really think anything has been in the this building for a long time, it has been quite falling apart-ie for a while, then pieces of it were flying off during Hurricane Irene.

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Photo (cc) provbenson2009

The first of three wind turbines set to rise at the Wastwater Treatment Plant at Fields Point is set to have its blades installed.

Photo above from our Flickr Group and video below from WPRI.

Construction underway on Prov. turbine: wpri.com

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ProJo reports this morning that Bank of America has officially decided that it will leave the Superman Building to consolidate it’s Providence office space.

While the move has been long rumored with former Mayor Paolino calling on Sen. Jack Reed to intervene (Reed declined saying it was an issue for the City and State to address), the official word comes out today.

The Journal’s report says the bank would leave the building in April of 2013.

So, with Rhode Island’s tallest and arguably most iconic building on the verge of emptying out and going dark, what do we think should be done with it?

Stats

• Built in 1927
• 26 Floors
• 428 feet tall
• 350,000 sq. feet of office space
• Owned by High Rock Westminster, LLC
• Purchased in Jan. 2008 for $33 million

© Greater City: Providence, 2012 | Permalink | 34 comments
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→ Train in Vain [Slate]

Mass transit has, according to its fans, a staggering array of benefits. It reduces pollution, improves quality of life, and anchors vibrant walkable communities. It boosts public health and makes people happier. But relatively few transit-boosters understand that existing federal guidelines for assessing which new projects to fund not only exclude those considerations, they make it extremely difficult for newly built transit to meet those objectives. A new proposed rule from the Department of Transportation, now entering its 60-day comment period to let people raise objections, should change all that for the better.

→ An Open Letter to David Axelrod, Re: Urban Politics [Next American City]

Last week, David Axelrod, a senior adviser to President Obama, announced that after the 2012 election season he’ll return to Chicago to run a political institute at the University of Chicago. But this isn’t just some political think tank. Axelrod’s ambition is:

to help encourage young people who are going to be the David Axelrods – and better – in the future so that we’ll have a new generation of people who will be active in politics and public life.

He goes on to say that there’s going to be an urban slant to the whole thing:

Mr. Axelrod, a former journalist, will serve as the institute’s inaugural director and said it would lean toward a focus on urban politics, in part because of the city around it.

Doubly interesting. What should David Axelrod do with this new institute with a leaning towards urban politics? Here are a few ideas:

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Most of these photos were shared in our Flickr Group during and after last week’s snow:

Photo © GoProvidenceRI

Photo © Paul Shelasky

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The Providence Community Boating Center has announced that kayaking will be added to their programming this spring!

The simplicity of kayaking as an entry-level sport for anyone makes it attractive to get outside, get moving, and embrace a healthy lifestyle.

FREE recreational kayaking is now included with adult memberships! Paddle one day as a trial/guest member, or all season, + FREE guest! We want you to paddle with a friend, so you get up to 2 kayaks/ trip.

New to paddling? Join us for some basic instruction and a guided tour. FREE guided “RiverRomp” tours offer youth & families a healthy, active alternative to TV, video, and other indoor, static activities.

CBC will, of course, still be offering recreational sailing and sailing lessons this spring, but now a membership will also offer kayak usage and kayaking lessons!

An adult membership for the entire season costs only $195*, and basically gives you access to boats 7 days a week – with no boat rental fees and no maintenance obligations.

Only in town for a day, or worried about commitment? CBC offers a one-day pass for $75 – a great way to spend an afternoon before checking out a Waterfire.

More details on the CBC website including the 2012 Membership Application (PDF)

*packages and discounts available, too!

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A meeting of the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission will be held at the offices of Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, 315 Iron Horse Way, Suite 101, Providence, Rhode Island, on MONDAY, January 30, 2012, beginning at 2:00 p.m., for the following purposes:

PUBLIC SESSION

1. For presentation and discussion regarding the national and regional real estate market.
2. For presentation and discussion regarding activities and/or plans of Johnson & Wales
   University, Lifespan, Care New England, and Brown University in and around the
   Knowledge District, downtown activity and local market conditions.
3. For presentation and discussion of best practices and examples from other markets

• Agenda [.pdf]

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Mayor Angel Taveras

This afternoon I took a walk with Mayor Angel Taveras to try out the City’s new ProvConnex iPhone app (an Android app is in development).

The Mayor and I walked down Washington Street and he showed me how the app works on his iPhone. The Mayor’s Press Secretary, David Ortiz joined us and provided more details on the app.

The free app is available in the Apple App Store and integrates with the City’s online ProvConnex system which people may be familiar with. The app allows residents (and visitors I suppose if they like) to report a myriad of issues from unshoveled sidewalks, to potholes, to broken street lights and trash strewn lots, and more.

On my way home this afternoon I reported that a number of streetlights are out at the intersection of Dean Street and Atwells Avenue, the intersection is very dark because of this. Screenshots of my report are embedded in a slideshow at the end of this post, including a copy of the email I recieved confirming my submission. Issues reported through the App are sent to the Office of Neighborhood Services where staff dispatches it to the relevant City department. The app keeps a collection of your reports and allows you to follow-up on their status.

The City attempts to move as quickly as possible on reports, but of course during pothole season the holes can only be filled so fast. Reporting won’t get action in a day, but it will add your pothole to the City’s list.

The App can use GPS to locate where you are when you make a report, or you can search for an address to report an issue when you may not be at that location. It also allows you to upload a photo of the issue you’ve reported.

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Texting while walking, via Transportation Nation.

→ The Smart Math of Mixed-Use Development [Planetizen]

Most of us – city planners, elected officials, business owners, voters, and the like – understand that the city brings in more tax revenue when people shop and eat out more. However, we often overlook the scale of the property tax payoff for encouraging dense mixed-use development.

Many policy decisions seem to create incentives for businesses and property developers to expand just about anywhere, without regard for the types of buildings they are erecting. In this article, I argue that the best return on investment for the public coffers comes when smart and sustainable development occurs downtown.

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Photo (cc) insEyedout

As the City Plan Commission readies to take action on Downtown Zoning and other issues at tonight’s meeting, let me share my notes from last week’s meeting.

Proposed zoning changes can be viewed here. [.pdf]

I arrived at the meeting which started at 4:45pm shortly after 5pm.

There are a few main goals of rezoning, one is to bring the Jewelry District and Downcity into the same Zoning District now that the highway dividing them is gone. Also, Zoning in place by July 1st is the zoning that the 195 Commission is supposed to consider when making decision about the 195 land. The City wants to tighten and improve its zoning prior to that.

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Read the rest of Notes on last week’s CPC Meeting (528 words)

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