North Main Project moving toward a vision
Public meeting on North Main Street’s future Wednesday, July 11 at 7PM at Sandwich Hut, 1253 North Main Street - please join us.
Volunteers with the SNA North Main Street have been busy reaching out to stakeholders over the last few months, gathering information, ideas and input that our consultant, Gates, Leighton and Associates, can incorporate in their plans and drawings of a future North Main Street.
Join us on July 11 to talk with Randy Collins of GLA about his plans for first draft drawings. We will meet again on July 25 and August 8 to review the drawings as they evolve.
We are very pleased that Ray Watson, Executive Director of Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association and Chris Lopes, President of the Mt. Hope Board, have joined our steering committee for this project. Any new development must help to address the needs of Mt. Hope residents, including affordable housing, new employment and outdoor recreation.
Over the last two months, we’ve had conversations with Chief Operating Officer Sandra Coletta of Miriam Hospital, with Alix Ogden, Supertendent of the Parks Department, with the board and leadership of Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association, with Carla DeStefano of the nonprofit housing development group SWAP, with Steven Lewinstein, co-owner and developer of the former Sears/Anderson Little site. We’ve held a meeting of business owners at the Penalty Box and we’ve attended the Mt. Hope Greenup. Two weeks ago we had a very productive talk with Director of Planning and Development Thom Deller and our planner for Summit and Mt. Hope, Bonnie Nickerson.
Next SNA Board meeting July 16 - East Coast Greenway Project
Summit Neighborhood Association’s next public board meeting will be held Monday, July 16 at 7PM in the Community Room downstairs at the Rochambeau Branch of the Providence Public Library, 708 Hope Street.
Eric Weiss RI organizer of the East Coast Greenway Project will join us to talk about the future of bike routes on the East Side, including his proposal to make Blackstone Boulevard bike and pedestrian friendly. Blackstone will be the planned route connecting the Pawtucket end of the Lincoln Bike Path to India Point and the East Bay Bike Path.
Eric will also talk about the potential for bike lanes and off-road greenways along the North Main and Moshassuck River corridors. The Moshassuck, which runs through North Burial Ground and along Rt. 95 was the actual path of the old Blackstone Canal which the Lincoln path follows for most of its length.
For more information, or to request time on the agenda, please call Jonathan Howard 331.2272.
Celebrate Providence! in Lippitt Park
The City has announced their schedule for the Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Series. July features Lippitt Park. This program brings music, dance and theatre into neighborhood parks throughout the city. All events are free and open to the public. More information about all of the events may be found at: www.providenceri.com/ArtCultureTourism/.
The Celebrate Providence! Neighborhood Performing Arts Series will present entertainment in Lippitt Park every Thursday in July at 6:30pm. The series will begin on July 5 with The Gnomes, performing an energetic blend of Celtic and World Music. The Gnomes are made up of Cathy Clasper Torch, Phil Edmonds, Ron Schmitt, Otis Read and Peter Breen. On July 12 the AS220 Broad Street Studio Rhode Show will perform an original 40-minute Hip-Hop influenced body of work, with pieces capturing the ideas, talents, and perspectives of the young people living in the city of Providence.
On July 19 the Providence Black Repertory Company will present the Youngblood Brass Band, professional artists performing in New Orleans backline and Parade traditions. The Youngblood Brass Band is focused on creating consistently progressive, acoustic, groundbreaking music, employing whatever sonic means necessary to do so.
On July 26, the Mt. Hope Learning Center will present Old School, New School, a performance of music, historical narration and spoken word pieces involving neighborhood residents and professional performers. The performances will include producer Sylvia Ann Soares, blues guitarist/vocalist Agus Winangun, pianist Paul Bisch, and youth performers.
Additionally, on August 26 from 11am to 3pm, the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island will host “Lower East Side Comes to Providence East Side” in Lippitt Park, where it will offer activities and entertainment for all ages. There will be dancing, music, food, and local merchants at this community event.
Hillside bought for nursing home use
On June 13, Radius Management Services purchased the former Hillside Nursing Center at 99 Hillside Avenue at a bankruptcy auction held by the court. Their offer is conditional on reviving the facility’s license to operate as a nursing home. The former nursing home was closed by the RI Dept of Health in early 2005. There were informal indications that the DOH would approve the re-licensing as a nursing home, according to neighbors who attended the auction.
This development is cautiously welcomed by neighbors who have been monitoring the complicated and drawn-out disposal of the property. Most people living nearby would prefer a re-opened nursing home to the most likely alternatives such as residential development or assisted living.
A small group of neighbors coordinated by John Smithers has been in touch with Radius and hopes to meet with executives in August. At this stage, the neighbors’ group wants to learn more about Radius’ plans for renovation or construction. They are also looking ahead to how operations will affect surrounding homes and streets. If you have questions or concerns you would like John to convey to Radius, or if you would like to be kept informed, please e-mail John Smithers at John.Smither@jwu.edu.