Battle Over Blackstone Boulevard Speed Bump Plan Heats Up
Kate Nagle, GoLocal News Editor
Battle Over Blackstone Boulevard Speed Bump Plan Heats Up
The proposal comes seven years after the East Side’s major thoroughfare went from two lanes down to one, and now the city has revealed preliminary plans to add measures to slow traffic on the Boulevard, which would included twenty-four "speed lumps/humps", nineteen raised crosswalks and three signs.
Proposed Changes: Map 1, Map 2, Map 3, Map 4
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“So a plan for structural calming as been brewing for at least 3 years. There is a traffic calming committee that hears requests from all over the city. The boulevard residents put in a request through Nate Urso in traffic planning, it took many meetings to get to a plan,” said Murphy. “I think the majority of residents are aware of traffic issues and support traffic calming.”
Not all neighboring residents support the plan, however.
“I am opposed to the grand scheme for several reasons. I don't think it has been proven to be needed. Murphy's wanting it does not make it needed,” said East Side resident Butch Norman. “I think it will be a waste of precariously precious city funds – our taxes – when there are so many more important needs, such as schools, crime prevention, roads and other infrastructure. I very much am opposed to the process, where a few people can grab the ear of a city official and create a solution to a problem that may not exist.”
Public Input Sought
City Councilman Sam Zurier, who mentioned the meeting in his weekly newsletter to constituents, did not say if he is for — or against — the project.
Norman said that while he is against the proposal that has been put forward, that he believes the current traffic issues still present a problem.
“I think the Boulevard (southbound) to Butler Ave. past Lincoln through Angell to Waterman to Henderson Bridge needs a reasonable plan to alleviate traffic backing up from mid-afternoon through rush hour,” said Norman. “It sometimes backs up to Lloyd, making it very difficult to enter or cross the Boulevard at its southmost end. Add in the walkers, joggers, bikers, baby strollers moving in all directions and there is a need for some comprehensive plan.”
“Tim Murphy sent out a survey to a few dozen people. My recollection is that the returns were skimpy and, therefore, were "massaged" to reflect Murphy's desired goal,” said Norman. “The first real public input will be at Nathan Bishop. It seems an undemocratic way of doing things.”
Murphy said that he anticipates hearing from opposition to the plan on Monday.
“I’m sure there will be a small minority of people who won't accept the chance that one car will be diverted to their street, people who are completely self-centered like that are the minority, but often that type of person is very vocal and I expect several of them to be at the meeting,” said Murphy. “I don't believe they represent the majority, anyone who has tried to drive the speed limit and is being reasonable would agree that traffic calming is warranted on the boulevard.”
Cheryl Simmons, who runs a community listserv, has shared numerous comments from East Siders who feel strongly on both sides.
"Personally, I see these traffic "calming" strategies as simply moving the problem on to adjacent streets, all at taxpayer expense," said Simmons. "It seems beneficial for a small group of residents at the expense of the the larger community. Boulevard residents themselves are split on this issue, and most of the comments on the listserv have been against it. I don't think that most residents knew that a preliminary plan had already been approved by City Engineer Nate Urso's committee."
Things That Providence Has Done Really Well
Mill Transformation
The old Brown and Sharpe factory complex stood nearly vacant for years. The ambitious Guerra family invested everything and over nearly 50 years transformed the buildings into an epicenter of business and residential living.
The Arcade
It has been celebrated as the oldest indoor shopping mall in the United States and has been reinvented a number of times.
A shopping center -- the place that Fleet Bank workers went for lunch -- closed for years
It was dormant for a period. And now, it is reinvented as a meeting place, shopping place and sleeping place -- and a top downtown tourist destination.
Providence Bruins
We all used to love the PawSox, but the death of Ben Mondor coupled with the new ownership group's $120 million ask has tainted the love affair.
In contrast, the Baby B's just keep skating and fighting.
No drama -- just good hockey.
Arts
From Trinity Rep to AS220 to the RISD Museum there is a sweeping range of performance and visual arts. Pound for pound, Providence may have the most diversity and talent in the arts anywhere in the country.
Food
In Providence, we've got this food thing down pretty good. Whether you are a firefighter or a new mayor, there is common ground about the quality and range of great restaurants. Laurie White of the Providence Chamber says one of the things Providence does really right is "fine and eclectic dining."
Waterfire
"This is a return to pre-technology. A time when fire glow made faces wonderfully open and inviting. Soft light is beautiful light, and no technology can recreate the velvet effects of a live flame’s reflections. No technology can create this sense of unity with others when we experience art. An aura of smoke, and sound, and incense bathes thisriver and its banks. Do we yearn for a return to this shared world of shadow…a time when we didn’t need to see all…to know all…to want all," wrote Rebecca Leuchak, an Assistant Professor of Art and Architectural History at the School of Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation at Roger Williams University.
Benefit Street
The Providence Preservation Society was founded in 1956 to respond to the proposed demolition of a number of 18th- and early 19th-century houses on College Hill. The efforts by a small group of passionate activists saved one of the greatest collections of colonial architecture -- Benefit Street.
As GoLocal reported in May: The College Hill neighborhood in Providence is the fourth most beautiful in America, according to a ranking list published by the lifestyle website Thrillest.com.
College Hill’s high ranking is credited largely to the iconic buildings that make up the neighborhood, like the Providence Art Club and the First Baptist Church in America.
Architecture
Architectual Digest calls Providence the best small city. "As the petite capital of our nation’s littlest state, Providence, Rhode Island, seldom steals the spotlight. But what the city lacks in scale and profile, it certainly makes up for in style and spirit, with rich architectural interest, top-notch restaurants, charming waterfront parks, and a creative community whose influence extends far beyond the region. Today the metropolis, its downtown revitalized, is a destination well worth exploring in depth. And what better time to do so than now, when warm-weather getaways beckon up and down this stretch of New England coast?"
Diversity
From Roger Williams through to a present-day city of immense diversity, Providence's diversity has been one of its biggets strengths. 23% of Providence school children speak a language other than English, according to Rhode Island Kids Count.
Providence has a lot of folks from around the world.
Opportunity
Providence is a buyer's market. For developers, homeowners, entrepenuers, creatives, artists, innovators, chefs, teachers and all comers there is a tremendous opportunity to build and create in Providence.
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Any takers? We would love to have you.
