120 replies to this topic

[chaz200]

QUOTE(pdxstreetcar @ May 3 2005, 11:35 PM)
If there was some way the Point Street bridge could be opened again the ferry could almost go up to the Crawford Street bridge in Downtown.

Cotuit, on May 3 2005, 11:29 PM, said:

The Hurricane Barrier is the ferry's problem though. I don't know if you were living here at the time, but on the high speed ferry's maiden voyage it crashed into the Hurricane Barrier and did quite a lot of damage. Passengers are banned from the outer decks while it navigates the barrier now. The Coast Guard would prefer it be berthed outside the Hurricane Barrier.

The plan all along has been to find the ferry a home outside the Hurricane Barrier. If this project comes off it may be a good place for it, especially if Conley pays for a lot fo the infrastructure needed. Although I think Fox's Point may be a better place, at least you're closer to Wickenden and feel like you've arrived somehwere, almost.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How about water taxi's  Might be nice if they could go to Waterplace park and over to East Providence with stops along the way, including the ferry.  Definetly should be a part of any residential buildup around the bay.

EDIT-I posted the above before I read through the entire thread so I didn't see your thoughts on this Cotuit.   I think any plan for the Providence side of the bay should include the EP side.  I definetly think a transportation mode such as a water taxi would be great.  It might spur some commercial development along the bay as well as Residential.  Also would be nice if the development of the watefront actually uses the waterfront instead of it being just a pretty view.

Edited by chaz200, 25 July 2005 - 11:49 AM.

[Frankie811]

Garris, on Jul 23 2005, 11:42 PM, said:

That's a really good point...  I can't really imagine who in EP would take a ferry to Prov...  I mean, the 195 bridge isn't that bad, and it'll only get better with the new one in the future...

- Garris

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Rt 195 west bound is getting worse and worse everyday. I jumped on it Friday at 11:30am and it was backed up for miles. It used to be fine up untill about 3:30pm, then lately it got bad starting at 2:30pm. Now.......................

[Cotuit]

chaz200, on Jul 25 2005, 01:36 PM, said:

How about water taxi's  Might be nice if they could go to Waterplace park and over to East Providence with stops along the way, including the ferry.  Definetly should be a part of any residential buildup around the bay.

EDIT-I posted the above before I read through the entire thread so I didn't see your thoughts on this Cotuit.   I think any plan for the Providence side of the bay should include the EP side.  I definetly think a transportation mode such as a water taxi would be great.  It might spur some commercial development along the bay as well as Residential.  Also would be nice if the development of the watefront actually uses the waterfront instead of it being just a pretty view.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think any watertaxi that could navigate under all the bridges all the way to Waterplace Park, might not be something you would want to be on in the open Bay riding over to EP, unfortunately. A vessel smaller than the Newport Ferry (something the size of the old Newport Ferry) could run from EP into the Providence River as far as Point Street.

[Frankie811]

http://www.projo.com...s.16cdb241.html

[Cotuit]

He's such an idiot. I'm not reading him anymore. Same assinine drivel week after week, I can't believe the Journal pays him.

[Frankie811]

Cotuit, on Sep 29 2005, 08:50 AM, said:

He's such an idiot. I'm not reading him anymore. Same assinine drivel week after week, I can't believe the Journal pays him.

I agree. Ever since the TX company took over the journal his column has gone downhill. I used to race to the store to get Thursdays paper. No more!

[eltron]

Frankie811, on Sep 29 2005, 08:55 AM, said:

I agree. Ever since the TX company took over the journal his column has gone downhill. I used to race to the store to get Thursdays paper. No more!

Awful.  

Completely worthless. Shut it down.

[Recchia]

Quote

Alas, the modernists didn't stay in their sandbox; just look at the glass curtain-wall system being attached to the boxy thing in Capital Center.

I take it he's referring to GTECH...

[Garris]

Cotuit, on Sep 29 2005, 06:50 AM, said:

He's such an idiot. I'm not reading him anymore. Same assinine drivel week after week, I can't believe the Journal pays him.

It's disappointing.  To have such a position (architecture critic) in a city such as Providence is potentially such a lofty and important role, and I unfortunately think he often squanders it.  He beats the reader over the head with his singular polarized position week after week after week.  No matter what the actual article topic is about (this week's appears to be about Conley Wharf...  I think...) he drags the main topic kicking and screaming back to a blistering putting down of modern architecture.

Even for someone like me who, by and large, agrees with him that traditional architecture is more pleasing to the eye than 90% of the largely banal and ugly modernism done around here (APC building at RI Hospital anyone?), his argument is so caustic, so abrasive, so obsessive, and so closed to debate that he has, in my opinion, lost much of his editorial integrity.  I mean, how can a good editorial critic be a one note wonder?  

He's more a evangelist of a certain viewpoint than a critic at this stage.

- Garris

Edited by Garris, 29 September 2005 - 07:00 PM.

[runawayjim]

i just saw the projo article on this today, someone posted it to CL.  i think it's interesting.  it sounds like a great plan for somewhere in the city.  i don't know the area enough, other than the "allens ave?  isn't that where all the strip joints are?"  i'm picturing something along the lines of south st seaport in NYC, only less of a mall (since we already have a mall).  it'd be interesting to see what happens with this.  it could really help in revitalizing that area.

and for those of you who think that the strip joints take away from it... sex sells.  that's all i have to say.    that and providence is the sex capital of the northeast... when i first moved here i was asked by a lot of people (who lived elsewhere) "how far are you from the foxy lady?"  it just so happens that i actually live relatively close to it...  

but regardless... i do like the idea, even if it is coming from a scumbag.  and as far as not being really close to anything else in the city, either is the seaport.  it's close to the financial district and the ferry, but north of it is chinatown and the lower east side, which, last time i was there, wasn't a huge tourist area.  maybe this is what that part of south prov needs to get something going...

[Cotuit]

ProvidencePiers.com

[CtownMikey]

just curious how up to date that website is. IT LOOKS AMAZING.


ie:
"Patrick's Pier 1 Function Center

Occupying nearly 4,000 square feet on the top floor of Conley's Wharf and featuring a sixteen-foot high waterfall and massive fireplace, Patrick's Pier 1 Function Center will soon offer an unmatched setting for receptions, private parties, and special functions. Free, ample, secured parking, top level on-site catering, professional event planning assistance and the unique ambiance of entertaining up to 150 guests within the walls of this gem of industrial architecture are a guaranteed formula for a memorable occasion.

Current opening date: November 2005. "  

I'm never around the area, just curious if this project is up to date and on time.

Cant wait to get home tonight so I can check the entire site out

[CtownMikey]

also, just curious if this area is in the flooding zone on our new hurricane maps.

[jencoleslaw]

currently that area is not zoned for a lot of that stuff, especially a hotel.

[damus]

Cotuit, on Mar 26 2006, 06:07 PM, said:

ProvidencePiers.com

It's probably been said already somewhere in this thread, but what about the areas around this project? Is there any real effort to get rid of the strip clubs and the industrial areas surrounding the project site? How many people would buy an expensive waterfront condo if they also have views of Cheaters and oil tanks?

[Garris]

damus, on Mar 26 2006, 09:16 PM, said:

It's probably been said already somewhere in this thread, but what about the areas around this project? Is there any real effort to get rid of the strip clubs and the industrial areas surrounding the project site? How many people would buy an expensive waterfront condo if they also have views of Cheaters and oil tanks?

That's always been my feeling as well...  It's a fantastic vision, but there needs to be a coordinated effort by the city to do something else around it.  

I'd love to see something like this in the surface lot bordering Davol Square.  Even better would be a comprehensive update of Allen's Ave, Providence Piers, and a development at Davol's lot.  With those and the anticipated conversion of the power plant, the Eddy to Allen's Ave strip would impressive indeed.  

- Garris

Edited by Garris, 26 March 2006 - 09:19 PM.

[Cotuit]

I moved the club topic posts. link

[oak]

jencoleslaw, on Mar 26 2006, 07:18 PM, said:

currently that area is not zoned for a lot of that stuff, especially a hotel.

Also, this is the ONLY place in Providence that is zoned for this type of heavy industry.  There are a lot of businesses and jobs along Allens that can only occur down here.  There is no place to move these businesses within the city.  In the past 2-3 years, companies have invested $millions down here since the shipping channels were finally dredged.  Home heating oil and asphalt manufacturing aren't sexy uses, but no one can deny their utility to Providence and the region.  These companies have made capital investments with the expectation that this area will stay marine-based industrial.  

A coalition of companies along Allens is currently appealing the decision to allow artists to manufacture art in a multi-story warehouse building without a housing component on Allens and this is an allowable manufacturing use, but without a marine component.  

It would take quite an effort to get this area rezoned for the uses proposed in these pictures.

[jencoleslaw]

oak, on Mar 27 2006, 02:53 PM, said:

It would take quite an effort to get this area rezoned for the uses proposed in these pictures.

it almost happened quite easily about a month and a half ago, actually, with the careful rewording of a small piece of the zoning code.

[MikeR]

The project looks amazing, but I wonder if it is in the wrong place.  When the present I-195 comes down, I wonder if this project would fit in better there rather than where it is being proposed?  When the old power plant next to I-195 was demolished, it left a swath of undeveloped space abutting the Providence river.  This proposal may actually be a better fit there.  The part of Allens Ave. south of the barrier gate is really industrial and should probably stay that way. I'd hate to give up good-paying industrial jobs for lower-paying service jobs in the same location.