156 replies to this topic

[glassandsteel]

For anyone that went tonight, I was in the back-right corner.  I have a beard.  It was an interesting affair.  I thought it was pretty informative.  Their gonna put a park where Peter Griffin stadium was supposed to go!  It's good though.  I agreed that development near a park is a wonderful idea.

[Mij]

glassandsteel, on May 6 2005, 12:08 AM, said:

For anyone that went tonight, I was in the back-right corner.  I have a beard.  It was an interesting affair.  I thought it was pretty informative.  Their gonna put a park where Peter Griffin stadium was supposed to go!  It's good though.  I agreed that development near a park is a wonderful idea.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I like the park idea very much so... (Thats Proposal one of the park) I really enjoyed the WBRU concert seris when i was younger and i hope a park like this could house these and other local cultural events. Even just bringing family down to the area, who knows go fly a kite... I like it. I also like the idae of fox point river walk connecting with already existing river walk, do you think that would directly connect The east bay bike path with providence?

[Recchia]

Mij, on May 6 2005, 07:22 AM, said:

I also like the idae of fox point river walk connecting with already existing river walk, do you think that would directly connect The east bay bike path with providence?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It definitely should.  RIDOT hired a consultant last year to see how to connect all the bike paths to downcity.  This would be a good option and a great start.

[Mij]

Recchia, on May 6 2005, 08:29 AM, said:

It definitely should.  RIDOT hired a consultant last year to see how to connect all the bike paths to downcity.  This would be a good option and a great start.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My mind is blown! Im not up-to-date on other bike paths such as the east bay bike path, are there any links to them?

[Cotuit]

Mij, on May 6 2005, 08:36 AM, said:

My mind is blown! Im not up-to-date on other bike paths such as the east bay bike path, are there any links to them?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bike RI

[Recchia]

Mij, on May 6 2005, 07:36 AM, said:

My mind is blown! Im not up-to-date on other bike paths such as the east bay bike path, are there any links to them?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Head over to the Skating Center on May 20, 7am til 10am, it's Bike to Work day and last year they had tables set up with a wealth of information about bike paths, etc. (all the latest stuff).  Might even be me behind the RIDOT table again....although its not lookin good so far.

[Frankie811]

http://www.pbn.com/c...s.php/id/114711

[Cotuit]

Future Ship Street Landing:

[Lova]

What happened at the following meeting? I only attended the first one.

[Cotuit]

Here's my idea for a Redesigned Dean Street Interchange.

The ramps on the Federal Hill side of the interchange are replaced by a new slingshot ramp bringing traffic from the north side of the bridge down to Route 6 Eastbound. Traffic from Route 6 Eastbound goes straight up to Dean rather than having to swing around the on-ramp. This frees up this large amount of land for redevelopment.

DePasquale Plaza is extended through to the highway's edge, with mixed use structures lining it in similar style to the existing plaza.

West Exchange Street is realligned to meet the ramp from 6 East. Traffic Coming off Route 6 can turn left or right onto Dean or go straight down W. Exchange into Downcity, or to the Convention Centre Garage.

Sasaki proposed making Acorn Street the focal point of a redeveloped Promenade area, so Acorn is extended over the highway to reconnect it with Federal Hill. The ramp up to the new bridge from the north will be tight between the buildings at Harris Ave., and one may have to go to make room for the ramp and allow space between the building and the ramp for a pedestrian walkway to Harris Ave.

From the north side of the Dean Street Bridge a pedestrian ramp would lead down to Harris Ave.

Buildings would be added to the empty parcels north of the highway, creating a streetwall along Dean, on-street parking can be added in this area.

The ramp from 6 West that now parallels Dean Street would end at a right angle instead, there would be a traffic light here.

Cedar Street is extended through the area where the ramps were. The western end of Cedar Street would feature a courtyard at Acorn Street.

The Dean/Atwells intersection would be narrowed and realligned slightly. The right turn lane from Dean to Atwells would be realligned to feed into a one-way Weeden Street, with a traffic light and pedestrian crossing. The triangle and a thin strip beside the roadway would be park space, making the intersection into a square like area.

Spruce Street would be made two-way to allow for residents north of Atwells to not have to use Atwells, reducing traffic stress on Atwells.

Between Cedar, Dean, and DePasquale is a large building with a parking structure in it's core. This building could be relatively tall, up to 15 stories perhaps. Retail at the street level, and residential above. Beside this building is a small pocket park, with an extension running south from Cedar to Spruce, allowing pedstrians coming from the north to walk straight down to the retail zone on Spruce.

At the western end of Spruce Street, smaller scale multi-family homes would fill in the space where the ramps used to be.

Alternately to the slingshot ramp for traffic heading to East 6, the ramps for East 6 could be centered on Acorn Street, with ramps straight up and back down. Ramps to/from West 6 would be on the north side of Dean and ramps to/from East 6 would be on the south side of Acorn. Service Roads would connect Dean and Acorn to each other.

EDIT: Alternte without sligshot ramp.

[Recchia]

Cotuit, on May 15 2005, 11:45 AM, said:

Here's my idea for a Redesigned Dean Street Interchange.
West Exchange Street is realligned to meet the ramp from 6 East. Traffic Coming off Route 6 can turn left or right onto Dean or go straight down W. Exchange into Downcity, or to the Convention Centre Garage.

Sasaki proposed making Acorn Street the focal point of a redeveloped Promenade area, so Acorn is extended over the highway to reconnect it with Federal Hill. The ramp up to the new bridge from the north will be tight between the buildings at Harris Ave., and one may have to go to make room for the ramp and allow space between the building and the ramp for a pedestrian walkway to Harris Ave.

From the north side of the Dean Street Bridge a pedestrian ramp would lead down to Harris Ave.

The ramp from 6 West that now parallels Dean Street would end at a right angle instead, there would be a traffic light here.

I really like the idea of a route 6 exit going right into West Exhange, that would take some traffic off of the Memorial Blvd/Francis Street intersection to get downcity.  

How bad is Dean for pedestrians?  I know it has sidewalks, they narrow and scary or discontinous or what?  I've heard that people hate making that crossing in this forum before.  

It'd be cool if they decked over Route 6 and the Amtrak line, that'd really connect Promenade with Federal Hill.  Is that possible over Amtrak?

[Cotuit]

Recchia, on May 15 2005, 02:36 PM, said:

I really like the idea of a route 6 exit going right into West Exhange, that would take some traffic off of the Memorial Blvd/Francis Street intersection to get downcity.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

  

It would also eliminate a traffic light on Dean (though my plan would likely add traffic lights at Spruce and Cedar). Currently there is a light at Dean and W. Exchange, and a light at Dean and the highway ramps.

Recchia, on May 15 2005, 02:36 PM, said:

How bad is Dean for pedestrians?  I know it has sidewalks, they narrow and scary or discontinous or what?  I've heard that people hate making that crossing in this forum before.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

  

It's a nightmare. Coming from the north the issues are:

The Dean and Valley intersection has turning lanes merging into it, traffic is heavy and fast moving, crosswalks are placed at odd areas where pedestrians can't see oncoming traffic and oncoming traffic can't see pedestrians.

The area south of here is devoid of anything, You literally feel like you are walking on a highway, there's nothing to look at, it seems like you are walking forever.

The ramp to 6 West angles off in a highway-like configuration. The crosswalk is again set so pedestrians can't see on-coming traffic and traffic can't see pedestrians, grating to protect from the Amtrak wires exacerbate this. In order to see traffic, pedestrians must cross a very wide area where traffic moves very fast, and is very heavy. Turn signals on on-coming traffic are little help in determining if it is safe to cross.

Across the bridge at the ramp to 6 East, there is a similar highway like configuration, the sight problems of the other areas aren't a problem here though.

Crossing the traffic coming from Route 6 East is done via a ramp that traffic is only required to yield at, again turn signals are little help in determining which way the traffic goes.

On the East side of Dean Street, there is no sidewalk at all, even though there are less places to cross, the sightline issues are not present, and most pedestrians would be coming from or going toward the East at the northern end.  

Recchia, on May 15 2005, 02:36 PM, said:

It'd be cool if they decked over Route 6 and the Amtrak line, that'd really connect Promenade with Federal Hill.  Is that possible over Amtrak?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's certainly possible, but probably not economically feesible on the foreseable future.

[TheAnk]

I was at this presentation. It seemed like they rehashed Cianci's New Cities, except replaced Westminster Crossing with the I-195 Relo... The park ~ Ship Street was nice..

I thought the most startling thing was the flight of "yuppies" (24-35 educated workforce)... Why is that? You have very good colleges in Providence, and cheap housing.. The city is a nice place to live..

But.. there are no jobs.. Downtown is a shell of a past jewelry/munfacturing/financial district, and now it is going residential??? Where will people work if jobs do come to RI? The vacancy rate is low, and the only new development is residential.. In fact, 2000 new units to hit the market in the next couple years..  There is no need for residential down town.. I think that is a huge mistake.. People should work downtown, and live in the surrounding hoods.. Otherwise, the city will not function properly, and the hoods will be further cut off from the core...

In my opinion, jobs don't follow people; people follow jobs.. The niche client these developers are going for is Empty Nesters and people like me who live in Prov, yet commute to Boston.. That is not a huge niche..

That needs to change.. The push needs to be for a highly skilled wokrforce living and working in the city.. And until new jobs come here, Prov will just be an attraction, not a living city or destination..

Making the business climate better should be the #1 driver for the city, hands down... More high paid workers and tax paying business, and Prov will offset the "cost" of having non-coffer paying education institutions.. And the moves the city has been making to improve quality of life will start to reap benefits..

The city has SOOOO much potential.. I'd hate to see it wasted.. Again..

[CtownMikey]

I understand that without more businesses in Providence, the only taxpayers will be the residents.. and taxes will stay high.. right?  That is how I understand it. (I'm probably completely wrong ) but even if that is true.. (that residents will pay very high taxes..)the cost of living is still considerably cheaper here in providence than in surrounding competing areas such as boston, correct? So we still have time to attract these businesses before maybe someday.. we won't be much cheaper than boston.. and other desireable places.

[TheAnk]

CtownMikey, on May 26 2005, 10:47 AM, said:

I understand that without more businesses in Providence, the only taxpayers will be the residents.. and taxes will stay high.. right?  That is how I understand it. (I'm probably completely wrong ) but even if that is true.. (that residents will pay very high taxes..)the cost of living is still considerably cheaper here in providence than in surrounding competing areas such as boston, correct? So we still have time to attract these businesses before maybe someday.. we won't be much cheaper than boston.. and other desireable places.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boston is actually cheaper to run a business I believe.. I'm not sure though.. Gets a bad rap, but Prov is actually a worse biz climate..

But no question.. Living.. Prov is SOOOOOO much more affordable..

I lived in both, and I'd say you need to make roughly only 2/3s the salary here to have your quality of life stay the same.. And if you make Boston $$, and live in Prov costs.. Well... Its doubly beneficial..

[Citydweller]

foxpointer, on May 5 2005, 03:13 PM, said:

It was very hard to see the impact of what they were suggesting (was it Buff Chase who spoke and brought that up?). 

No, that was Buff Chase impersonator.  Buff left at the beginning of the Q and A.  The guy kind of looked like him.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

  - I'm the Buff Chace impersonator. My name is Bill Dennis - I am a  New Urbanist planner and architect who has recently moved back east - to Providence! I have known Buff for quite awhile (worked on Mashpee Commons and the first Downcity Charrette - as well as one day on the most recent one) and I led Stefanos Polyzoides' planning efforts from New Mexico (we were neck and neck with Sasaki to do the New Cities project - a shame, because we do extensive public involvement and also believe that the specific quality of architectural design matters). Anyway, I have returned to working on my own as an architect and planner, as well as a consultant around the country, but I hope to get much more involved in Providence and New England, as this is a very special place that could be ruined.


Sasaki's plan is merely ok - it needs lots of refinement and specifics (including lots of view from ground level, which is where most people happen to walk) but what is needed more  is are involved, authentic public charrettes on both the infrastructure of Providence 2020 (roads, transit, green networks, etc) and the specific design of each neighborhood and district in conjunction with a true form-based code.

Anyway, that's just one guy's opinion....

[Frankie811]

Citydweller, on May 29 2005, 06:05 PM, said:

  - I'm the Buff Chace impersonator. My name is Bill Dennis - I am a  New Urbanist planner and architect who has recently moved back east - to Providence! I have known Buff for quite awhile (worked on Mashpee Commons and the first Downcity Charrette - as well as one day on the most recent one) and I led Stefanos Polyzoides' planning efforts from New Mexico (we were neck and neck with Sasaki to do the New Cities project - a shame, because we do extensive public involvement and also believe that the specific quality of architectural design matters). Anyway, I have returned to working on my own as an architect and planner, as well as a consultant around the country, but I hope to get much more involved in Providence and New England, as this is a very special place that could be ruined.
Sasaki's plan is merely ok - it needs lots of refinement and specifics (including lots of view from ground level, which is where most people happen to walk) but what is needed more  is are involved, authentic public charrettes on both the infrastructure of Providence 2020 (roads, transit, green networks, etc) and the specific design of each neighborhood and district in conjunction with a true form-based code.

Anyway, that's just one guy's opinion....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, their final report isn't due out untill sometime this summer, so stay tuned.

[Cotuit]

Citydweller, on May 29 2005, 06:05 PM, said:

(including lots of view from ground level, which is where most people happen to walk)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Welcome Bill. I'm looking forward to hearing more of your views on this and other matters. I grew up on the Cape (Cotuit, right down the road from Mashpee Commons) and watched Mashpee Commons transform. I know it's half done, there's a lot of good things to say about it, but a good deal of things that aren't working, yet (I hope, they'll work someday...).

On the Sasaki plan, 'merely OK,' seems to be the best review it's gotten here yet, (I'm still waiting for the city's promised website on it all). I've been meaning to bring this thread back to life and try to get the conversation going in a positive direction, so what do you think is OK about it?

[Garris]

Citydweller, on May 29 2005, 04:05 PM, said:

Sasaki's plan is merely ok - it needs lots of refinement and specifics (including lots of view from ground level, which is where most people happen to walk) but what is needed more  is are involved, authentic public charrettes on both the infrastructure of Providence 2020 (roads, transit, green networks, etc) and the specific design of each neighborhood and district in conjunction with a true form-based code.

Anyway, that's just one guy's opinion....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Welcome to UP-Providence!  And thanks for giving us your opinion of the Sasaki plan.  I think your professional opinion mirrored that of us amateur enthusiasts who were there as well.  I agree a lot more information and public feedback will be required than just those two days of meetings.  

Also, for us enthusiasts, could you describe what a form-based code is?

- Garris

Garris Photography

[Cotuit]

ProJo editorial on Providence 2020. In the editorial, they make a stong endoresment for the Ship Street Canal concept.