EDITORIAL: Can We Get This One Right?

EDITORIAL: Can We Get This One Right?

 

The 195 Commission is expected to make a decision on the final design for the so-called “Parcel 5” on Wednesday.

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None of it sounds sexy, but it may be one of the most important decisions made by the controversial commission over the past nearly 15 years.

Parcel 5 is the land next to the Michael Van Leesten Bridge and will visually define the area for decades to come.

There are three finalists — one from Rhode Island and two from Massachusetts.

All things being equal, we would hope the 195 Commission would select the Rhode Island proposal led by Providence-based architectural firm ZDS, but things are never equal.

In this case, GoLocal has repeatedly advocated for the ZDS design. It is superior in size, scope, and scale.

As architecture critical Will Morgan wrote in September about ZDS’ design:

"Local architects ZDS have offered a wickedly audacious composition of streamlined layers of glass. ZDS’ entry tackles the site as a sweeping unit; it is taking a chance, daring to be bold. What is really astounding is that ZDS is the successful but unimaginative firm that has given the city so many architectural duds, including the blandness of Parcel 6.”

But what makes the ZDS proposal is that it enters the final round, boasting that nearly every aspect of the mixed-use is leased. The condos cannot be pre-sold, but clearly, based on the market and this superior location the units are likely to be sold at near record pace.

Not selecting the superior design and not selecting the superior business model would be another slap to Rhode Island-based businesses.

Rhode Island owes nothing to the economic interests of Massachusetts as the economic development officials of the Commonwealth have tried to lure both Citizens Bank and Hasbro out of Rhode Island. In the case of the former, Rhode Island had to pay a ransom to keep the bank headquartered in the state and the fate of Hasbro staying in Rhode Island is dim at best.

Remember, over 25 years, the state and federal governments have spent nearly a billion to move Route I-195 and open a new city within the City of Providence. The 195 Commission has often been a blundering bastion of missteps. As GoLocal has previously reported:

Documents Show Top 195 Commission Officials Did Not Know Regulations While Selecting Developer

EDITORIAL: Want to See Bad Government in Action — Watch the 195 Commission on Zoom

More recently, under the chair Marc Crisafulli, the Commission has managed to move forward in a more thoughtful and informed manner.

Now, it is decision day. We are hoping the best design and the best business proposal are selected. By the way, they are the same, and they are the ZDS proposal.