Will Elorza Veto Fane's Tower?
GoLocalProv Business Team
Will Elorza Veto Fane's Tower?
Elorza said during a Democratic primary debate in August that the “devil is in the details” as to whether or not he would sign the change in height ordinance.
He has repeatedly said that he is waiting for design changes, but what is now pending before the Mayor is an ordinance that will increase the height restrictions from 130 feet to 600 feet. Elorza has said he would prefer another location, a different design, and a lower height.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTElorza has received a clear message from State House leaders Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio and Speaker of the House Nick Mattiello who wrote to the Mayor and expressed their clear support for the height change and the project.
Elorza’s most recent statement on the project came on Monday in which Elorza said, ”As I have said from day one, the building’s design must be one that works for the city. For that reason, I would like the city to have final approval over the design of the project. If this building is going to reshape our skyline, then the city should be able to approve what it looks like.
Second, the developer is asking for a zoning change that will dramatically increase the value of the parcel. In exchange for this private benefit, the developer should make a contribution that benefits the public. This contribution can be used to support things such as repairs and maintenance of the pedestrian bridge or other important city priorities.”
But while Elorza is receiving pressure from the State House, building trade unions and the majority of the Council to sign the newly passed ordinance, there are a number of opponents. One of Providence’s biggest developers and major Elorza donor Buff Chace is leading the charge against the Fane project. Some say Chace does not want competition for the high rent tenants. The Chace family have donated more than $33,000 to Elorza and members of Chace’s firm Cornish Associates have donated thousands more. Chace's company owns many of the apartment complexes on Westminster Street and those projects have received tens of millions in taxpayer subsidies ranging from federal and state tax credits to tax stabilization agreements.
The Providence Preservation Society delivered nearly 1,800 signatures in opposition to the zoning change for Fane Tower. The petition calls on Mayor Jorge Elorza and the Providence City Council to deny the change.
And, the Council members who represent the East Side of Providence — Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Sam Zurier (Ward 2) and Seth Yurdin (Ward 1} all voted against the change in the height restriction.
After the vote by the Providence City Council to approve the high change, Dante Bellini of the RDW Group and spokesman for the project said, “The Fane organization is thankful for the support of the Providence City Council. It represents another important step in a process to inject excitement and spur economic growth in Providence and the region.”
“Important tax revenue, thousands of construction jobs and meaningful economic activity as a result.
Not to mention 400 or so happy residents who will be in the heart of the Innovation district, working, playing and bringing life to our downtown. We now look forward to the next phase, Design Review,” added Bellini.
Elorza has until December 5 — ten working days after the Council’s vote to sign the ordinance, veto it, or allow it to pass without a signature.
From Smith Hill to College Hill people will be waiting.
This story was first published 11/23/2018 at 2:30 AM.
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