Tag Archives: Providence RI

Politics of the Fane override

Posted on December 12, 2018 by

When a pro-Fane tower councilman called in sick for Tuesday’s vote on whether to override Mayor Elorza’s brave veto of the Fane tower legislation, the council postponed the vote until tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 13. Having spouted my opposition to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The Journal’s ‘R.I. Memories’

Posted on December 6, 2018 by

Black and white photography bears the stamp of history, a ratification of the long-ago. One might wish that photos from, say, the 1890s were in color. That would convey a different authenticity, a satisfaction that today’s colorization processes generally fail … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Lost Providence | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

A Lost Providence Christmas

Posted on December 3, 2018 by

Just as the Providence Journal has published its magnificent collection of old Providence and Rhode Island photographs, it is time to go out and get (if you don’t have it) my book Lost Providence. The two books would work well … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Lost Providence | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Mayor Elorza’s brave veto

Posted on November 30, 2018 by

To the surprise of most observers, Mayor Elorza vetoed the Providence City Council’s approval last week of legislation to raise by a factor of six the 100-foot height limit on Parcel 42 of the Route 195 corridor. That legislation, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development, Providence Journal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Veto the tower, Mr. Mayor

Posted on November 26, 2018 by

I wrote a letter to Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza today [Monday]. I sent it by email and then hand-delivered another copy tucked inside my book Lost Providence, where I inscribed the title page in his honor. “Delivered with the sincerest … Continue reading →

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The big boxes of the future

Posted on November 21, 2018 by

A few days ago some interesting photographs landed in my email inbox as part of an online discussion of big-box retail and its design, a subject near and dear to my heart, as I have watched the evolution of suburban … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

HQ2 twofers and Providence

Posted on November 14, 2018 by

Two major eastern cities have won the HQ2 sweepstakes, and you have to wonder whether the twofers – Long Island City and Crystal City, outside Manhattan and D.C. – both realize they got half a loaf. How soon will it … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Committee’s Fane flip-flop

Posted on November 9, 2018 by

Learning nothing in its latest public hearing that it did not already know, the Ordinance Committee of Providence City Council reversed itself on Thursday to recommend that the council neuter the city’s zoning laws. It voted three to one to … Continue reading →

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Halloween in Providence

Posted on November 1, 2018 by

Last night’s Halloween trick-or-treat scene near our little house on Providence’s East Side showcased the charms of our more modest nook of the Blackstone neighborhood. On account of its evident friendliness, our district is usually mobbed by families from other … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A little off the top for Fane

Posted on October 23, 2018 by

Monday night’s public hearing into the Fane tower at City Hall barely seemed to push the needle one way or the other on whether to permit its developer, Jason Fane, to ignore the 100-foot height limit on the Jewelry District … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments