Chair of Prov Committee to Decide on Fane Tower, Doesn’t Live in City & Council Has Concerns

The Chair of the Providence Downtown Design Review Committee (DDRC) lives in Warren, Rhode Island, and not Providence, despite chairing one of the most critical Providence city committees.

Kristi Gelnett’s committee will consider the design of the second largest private investment in Providence’s history -- the controversial Fane Tower. Potentially, her committee could delay or derail the 46-story complex — a project that is expected to pump more than $300 million into the Rhode Island economy during the multi-year construction phase.

Gelnett is a senior member of the architectural firm Durkee Brown Viveiros and Werenfels who has close ties and has done substantial work for developer Arnold “Buff” Chace, the leading opponent and competitor to the proposed Fane Tower. 

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Gelnett did not respond to questions about her firm's relationship to Chace. Nor did she respond to questions if she would recuse herself or if she has sought an advisory opinion from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

By City ordinance, the “purpose of the D-1 Zone [the area in which Fane has been proposed] is to encourage and direct development in the downtown to ensure that: new development is compatible with the existing historic building fabric and the historic character of downtown; historic structures are preserved and design alterations of existing buildings are in keeping with historic character; development encourages day and night time activities that relate to the pedestrian and promote the arts, entertainment, and housing; greenways and open spaces are incorporated into the downtown, and the goals of the Comprehensive Plan are achieved."

The Elorza administration’s spokesperson Emily Crowell said, “There is no residency requirement for this committee.”

Was Residency Clear When Council Members Considered Appointment

When her appointment to the Committee came for approval under the administration of Angel Taveras her address presented as a Providence address -- but unlike most appointees, the address listed was not her home address, it was her work address, 111 Chestnut Street.

Again, when Gelnett was reappointed by Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza in 2017, her appointment listed her address as 111 Chestnut Street — with no indication that this was a work address.

“Communication from His Honor the Mayor, dated August 28, 2017, Informing the Honorable Members of the City Council that pursuant to Section 302(b) of the Providence Home Rule Charter of 1980, as amended, Section 502.1 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence, and Public Law Chapter 45-50, Sections 1 through 31 passed in 1987, he is this day re-appointing Kristi Gelnett of 111 Chestnut Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, as a member of the Downcity Design Review Committee for a term to expire on January 31, 2020.”

City Council Speakes Out

Members of the Providence City Council reached on Friday said they believe members and, especially, chairs of boards and commissions should be required to be Providence residents.

“So I have a strong opinion that I believe that anybody that is going to chair a committee or giving input on the future of the city -- whether the Downtown Design Review Committee or anything -- I strongly believe that those chairpersons should reside within the city,” said Councilman Michael Correia who represents Ward 6. "And not just the committees, but the department directors -- DPW and Public Safety Chief and Fire Chief -- all those department directors, they should all reside here."

And newly elected City Councilwoman Helen Anthony for Ward 2 on the East Side of Providence said, “I would prefer to have persons sitting on commissions to be residents. Again I'm not sure of the rules or regulations -- but my preference would be for them to be residents. “

Former Firefighter and Council member Jim Taylor of Ward 8, like Correia, said he believes not just boards and commission members should be required to be city residents.

“My thing is, I'm for the residency law. If you look around, hardly any of the directors live in the city. Look, I'm brand new but I think all department heads [should live in the city]. When I came on the Fire Department 33 years ago, there was a residency law. I moved here from North Kingstown and thirty-three years later I'm still here,” Jim Taylor who represents Ward 8.

“My strong belief is they should reside in the city -- it's tough to try and fight a losing battle. We have a lot of talented people who are deserving in the city,” said Correia.