10-Story Development in Fox Point Next to Historic Church is Latest 195 Land Proposal
GoLocalProv Business Team
10-Story Development in Fox Point Next to Historic Church is Latest 195 Land Proposal
Two proposals are being put forth for the areas known as Parcels 8 and 8A on the former I-195 corridor in Providence -- parcels that abut one of the city's most prominent and architecturally important churches.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOne of the plans is being offered by Churchill & Banks — the development firm owned by Richard Baccari and his son Richard, Jr.
The senior Baccari may be best know as one of the major developers for Stop & Shop developments.
The Baccaris are significant political donors, having given over $86,000 almost exclusively to top Democrats. In just the past two years, the two have donated thousands to Providence Mayoral candidate Brett Smiley, Governor Dan McKee, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, and Speaker Joe Shekarchi.
Churchill & Banks has submitted an apartment and condo proposal that would be 10 stories high, which is five full stories higher than any building in the area.
On one side of the proposed development is the historic church "Our Lady of the Holy Rosary "—the center of the Catholic Portuguese community in Fox Point, a neighborhood being gentrified at a near-record pace.
Fox Point Neighborhood Association's (FPNA) Nick Cicchitelli tells GoLocal that his organization only heard about a meeting of the 195 Commission because their neighborhood group had a joint meeting with another neighborhood organization — the Jewelry District Association (JDA).
“FPNA did first hear about this at a joint meeting with the JDA this past Tuesday, which was a last-minute agenda item. Developments in 195 district land in Fox Point are among the principal items we have been active in last several years, and we will be active on this project,” Cicchitelli.
JDA's Sharon Steele says the group has "not had an opportunity" to review the newly posted plans.
Will Morgan, GoLocal’s architectural critic and author of more than a dozen books, weighed in on the proposals.
“The ZDS proposal for Parcels 8 & 8A is unimpressive. There is little recognition of its neighbors or the neighborhood, particularly the Gothic-style Portuguese church that it overwhelms, not to mention its strategic harborside location," said Morgan. "What about the design speaks to College Hill, Wickenden Street, Corliss Landing, Bill Warner’s blue bridge, the river?”
“Who wouldn’t want an apartment overlooking the harbor, the head of Narragansett Bay? But only one side of the large cube takes in that view. Surely, there could be an adventurous solution to designing this apartment block so that there would be more views -- not to mention some excitement. Instead, we are presented with a cube, filled with the requisite number of apartments, plus balconies. Instead of innovative design, this block looks like an airport motel,” adds Morgan.
“In attempting to join the two parcels, the designers executed a step-up scheme, where three stories expands to four, then a five-story atrium, and then the ten-story apartment box. Rather than mitigating the ten-story mass, this stair-like solution is simply awkward, even emphasizing how inappropriate this urban interloper is," said Morgan.
"The commercial lower half, with its large windows, is reminiscent of 19th-century factories, but without their character. The light may be welcome, but the design is on the bland side, as if the architects merely filled out the building envelope. An opportunity to do a notable, maybe landmark, work of architecture, something that would say positive things about Providence, was missed here," added Morgan.
Morgan is more positive of the design offered by D+P and Truth Box.
"Much better developer/architects, as they made an effort. They have a good track record, and actually have done some exciting, decent buildings," said Morgan.
Morgan voiced worry about yet more development in the already swollen area that is the only route to the on-ramp for 195 East.
"Pike Street is barely large enough to handle the deliveries for Trader Joe’s [which is still being constructed]," said Morgan.
The 195 Commission will be considering the proposals at its meeting scheduled on June 22.