Monthly Archives: May 2018

Don’t junk up the PawSox

Posted on May 30, 2018 by David Brussat

The politics of the proposed new stadium for the Pawtucket Red Sox – the PawSox – are beyond me, but a new financial package just proposed by its leading opponent, Nicholas Mattiello, speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Need sigs vs. Fane today!

Posted on May 28, 2018 by David Brussat

On behalf of all Providence communities, the Providence Preservation Society and Building Bridges are calling on people to get local voter signatures on the attached lists by tomorrow to force the Ordinance Committee of City Council to hold a meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Preservationists’ progress

Posted on May 27, 2018 by David Brussat

It is no coincidence that Hugh Cavanagh’s blog from Ireland, “Scrawling from the Wreckage,” lands on this blog just as Steven Semes, dean of historic preservation at Notre Dame’s school of architecture, has updated progress toward common sense in preservationist … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Scrawl from the wreckage

Posted on May 25, 2018 by David Brussat

One of the most erudite puns on record is the title, “Scrawling From the Wreckage,” of a blog from Ireland (known for its literary power) by Hugh Kavanagh, an archaeological  surveyor who specializes in built heritage. Two years ago, I … Continue reading →

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Krock puts his finger on it

Posted on May 24, 2018 by David Brussat

This blog avoids politics like the plague. Nevertheless, today Politico ran “When the CIA Infiltrated a Political Campaign.” The look-back on the CIA’s spy in the 1964 presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater tickled my fancy in the most predictable way. … Continue reading →

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Criticism of criticism of etc.

Posted on May 22, 2018 by David Brussat

This post is a species of what Mencken called “Criticism of Criticism of Criticism.” The Architects Newspaper has just published the latest bout of self-criticism. “What do architecture critics think of the state of architecture criticism today?” asks AN. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Put Fane tower downtown

Posted on May 21, 2018 by David Brussat

In 2005, Mayor Cicilline permitted a developer from Boston to demolish the dear old Providence National Bank (1929, addition 1950), near the Arcade downtown, before the developer had its financing sewn up. Even before the 2008 recession pulled the rug … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Architecture’s debt to Wolfe

Posted on May 20, 2018 by David Brussat

The possibility exists that someday architecture will shuck its cult status and return to its roots. If that day ever comes, the late writer Tom Wolfe will deserve much credit. His 1981 book From Bauhaus to Our House opened the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books and Culture | Tagged , | 9 Comments

The Journal’s angry editorial

Posted on May 17, 2018 by David Brussat

The Providence Journal today published an editorial, “Saying no to a bold future,” that castigates opponents of the proposed Fane tower as “insiders,” a term usually applied to those who manipulate the system to benefit the few at the expense … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Not over till fat lady sings

Posted on May 16, 2018 by David Brussat

High-fives aplenty greeted last night’s vote by the City Plan Commission to urge the city council to reject the Fane tower. The commission wisely ignored its staff’s argument that a 600-foot tower in a 100-foot zone is consistent with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments