Pressure on Carpionato Properties
According to today's Providence Journal, the city of Providence is attempting to put pressure on Carpionato Properties to develop the former site of the Farmer's Market on Harris Ave. The building was demolished months ago, and Carpionato and the city have negotiated a deal where Harris Ave would be narrowed by 20 feet along the site, and return for a payment of $350,000.
It's good to see that some pressure is being put on Carpionato to follow through with their plans, which may include a hotel and retail space. There have been other instances where developers have demolished buildings because they were supposedly dangerous, or because future development was iminent, when it really wasn't. Just look at the site of the old gas station that was demolished by Paoline Properties across from the Hilton in downtown Providence in order to build an ofice building. It's a parking lot. How about the old police station that was demolished by the Procacianti Group in order to make room for an office building. It's a parking lot. Paolino properties also demolished two small buildings near Washington St about 5 years ago, and wanted to demolish another, in order to build a combination garage/retail space. Guess what? It's a parking lot. Are you starting to see a pattern here?
The City of Providence needs to be more careful when granting demolition permits. Here's a novel idea: Punish property owners who neglect their property and then say it needs to be demolished. Also, make sure financing is in place to replace buildings that are demolished. Providence can't afford to have holes knocked in its urban fabric. As for the extra parking that the demolition provides, what good is extra parking if people have fewer and fewer places to visit in the city?
It's good to see that some pressure is being put on Carpionato to follow through with their plans, which may include a hotel and retail space. There have been other instances where developers have demolished buildings because they were supposedly dangerous, or because future development was iminent, when it really wasn't. Just look at the site of the old gas station that was demolished by Paoline Properties across from the Hilton in downtown Providence in order to build an ofice building. It's a parking lot. How about the old police station that was demolished by the Procacianti Group in order to make room for an office building. It's a parking lot. Paolino properties also demolished two small buildings near Washington St about 5 years ago, and wanted to demolish another, in order to build a combination garage/retail space. Guess what? It's a parking lot. Are you starting to see a pattern here?
The City of Providence needs to be more careful when granting demolition permits. Here's a novel idea: Punish property owners who neglect their property and then say it needs to be demolished. Also, make sure financing is in place to replace buildings that are demolished. Providence can't afford to have holes knocked in its urban fabric. As for the extra parking that the demolition provides, what good is extra parking if people have fewer and fewer places to visit in the city?
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