from kari lang at wbna this morning:

this sounds like another pawtucket train station problem.

Oh, this is much much different from that. This is not the first time we've gone around and around with these folks regarding this school that they've been trying to turn into a parking lot, in an historic residential district.

http://www.artinruins.com/arch/decay/groveschool/

I've just left a message with Jason Martin at Planning (401-351-4300) informing him of the impending demolition. Jason deals with all HDC related matters. I'm hoping that if no HDC approval was obtained for this demo that this can be the determining factor in halting it. I'm going to call the mayor's office as well.

Any news on this? I left a message with Department of Inspections and Standards after being referred there by the Mayor's Office to confirm whether a demo permit had been issued.

no news yet, but i can tell you that the mayors office has been BOMBARDED with calls and questions. Jason Martin sent the police out to the site (for the 3rd time, at least) and we'll see what happens. i just realised though, that because the non profit i work for is technically an abutter (i'm pretty sure we're within 200 ft) that i have "standing."

i thought you worked on north main?

GWP owns a community garden right over there.

a bunch of construction equipment just pulled up to grove street school. folk might wanta take a ride over...

Yup. They did it. About one third of the building is down. Police refuse to arrest anyone. Got some good quotes on wjar 10. Is anyone shocked? There was a stop work order on this site. Is violating it a criminal or civil offence?

Wow. That's awful. Assuming this is an illegal teardown, I bet the penalties for doing this are so minimal that a property owner who is sleazy enough is just willing to pay the fine as part of the cost of doing business. A year at the ACI on the other hand would probably be more of a deterrent.

Thom said the mayor is at the site and not happy.

What happened to Pavalino for tearing down the circular gas station? Oh yeah, nothing.

While Paolino did the same thing claiming that the contractor "forgot" to get the demo permit, this seems more egregious because they demonstrated their intentions last week, the community responded and then they just proceeded as planned.

Perhaps Grove Street School could serve as the rallying point for a demo delay ordinance. That coupled with an ordinance that taxes surface parking and abandoned properties at the highest possible tax rate. Perhaps that would provide the incentive to redevelop rather than tear down buildings for surface parking as well as utilize abandoned buildings such as that lovely Italianate at the corner of Broadway & DePasquale. I don't understand how a building like that is allowed to sit there, abandoned - what are they waiting for?

The city needs to take a stand on this issue to maintain property values and enhance the tax base.

This building is listed as part of the ICBD, which means that it is not supposed to be demolished without approval from the Historic District Commission. Unless the HDC approved the demolition, this is a clear violation.

With Paolino and the gas station, it was a different matter in that it was unclear whether the building was under any sort of protection. I remember that Paolino pointed out that the borders of the Downcity Historic District were ambiguous and that the building was outside the district according to one definition.

This demo not only violated hdc demo but a stop work order issued by the city as well. And the owner is a lawyer for the city so I don't think the "oops" defense is going to work. He should lose his job.

I got word while at my gram's 90th bday party that there is to be a police presence at the site to keep more demo from happening but the damage has been done just like it was planned the city now has to. Figure out what punishment will be dolled out. I suppose now would be a good time to exercise eminent domain since the value of that property just tanked. Suddenly fair market value is a little more paletable, hmmm?

The WBNA was holding their annual Board retreat, so the entire WBNA Board was there.

The demo was being done by Bil-Ray, who I hear is the same firm who tore down the Pawtucket train station.

A prominent Providence architect (who I won't name since I don't speak for him) told me "It can be fixed." They tore off one corner of the building. The city should take the property away from the for flagrantly violating the law, then hit them with the bill to repair the damage. It's absurd that they felt they could flaunt the law and tear down and protected building, just to make a parking lot.

There are pictures out in the world somewhere. My copy of them was corrupted, though.

Just saw Jen on channel 10!

Was I making any sense? Was my housemate ray on too? I am still in the car...

Unreal.

What can be done to a contractor that knowingly flaunts due-process not once but twice? License suspension for several months? Hefty fine based on a percentage of what they're being paid to do the demo? If the city is going to address this issue, then there need to be sanctions against the owners as well as the contractors (who certainly have no excuse).

Ironic that someone who is trained to uphold the law has no problem violating it in such a blatant, self-serving manner. ~sigh~

I'm not sure I follow the eminent domain rationale - please explain the basis for that? Simply as a form of punishment or would there be some sort of public purpose served?