Fox Point Neighborhood Association
Letter on Fane Tower
Christine West, Chair
Department of Planning & Development
444 Westminster Street,
Suite 3A
Providence, RI 02903-3215
April 23, 2018
Dear Ms. West,
The Fox Point Neighborhood Association strongly opposes the 46-story residential tower proposed by architect Jason Fane for Parcel 42 of I-195 land. We offer three main arguments:
The granting of so-called spot-zoning exception is unjustified. The criteria stated by the City for such an exception include reasons of public safety, such as flood control. This exception would be unprecedented—and precedent-setting. Spot-zoning in this case would open the door to other buildings of similar height.
Furthermore, a 46-story tower would not only destroy the historical character of the area but negate past and present infrastructure investments. The current continuity of scale in the area—the notion of perceiving similarly sized structures in a space—invites pedestrian use and creates a sense of place. Heading west in on the I-195 bridge, there is a continuous use of materials in fore- and middle-grounds that give a striking suggestion of Providence and of southern New England—of the conjunction of river and bay, and of structures past and present. A 46-story tower would appear as a solitary sore thumb, blocking light for the proposed park space, limiting access to the pedestrian bridge, and obliterating any view of the river area from the park. The area does not call for this extreme height on top of a massive parking garage—which would be the most visible structure from the ground level.
Last, this plan directly contradicts the master plan for the parcels and the neighborhood. All the profits from the project would be repatriated elsewhere. Construction jobs are ephemeral. Job creation from this project would be limited to 10 to 15 permanent positions, hardly upholding the charge of the Commission as a job-creator.
A vast majority of neighbors concur. According to a recent public opinion poll, respondents opposed the Fane proposal four-to-one—and six-to-one in adjacent zip codes. The Fane tower would not only be detrimental to economic investments and quality of life, but its spot-zoning would invite further erosion of some of the most valuable assets of our neighborhoods, City, and State. We strongly oppose the Fane proposal and encourage you to do the same.
Thank you for considering our position.
Sincerely,
Daisy Schnepel
Vice President
Fox Point Neighborhood Association
cc. Mayor Jorge Elorza, Seth Yurdin, Bonnie Nickerson, Nick Mattiello, Dominic Ruggerio, Peter McNally, Governor Gina Raimondo, Brett Smiley
PO Box 2315, Providence, RI 02906 | foxpointneighborhood@gmail.com | www.fpna.net
Letter on Fane Tower
Christine West, Chair
Department of Planning & Development
444 Westminster Street,
Suite 3A
Providence, RI 02903-3215
April 23, 2018
Dear Ms. West,
The Fox Point Neighborhood Association strongly opposes the 46-story residential tower proposed by architect Jason Fane for Parcel 42 of I-195 land. We offer three main arguments:
The granting of so-called spot-zoning exception is unjustified. The criteria stated by the City for such an exception include reasons of public safety, such as flood control. This exception would be unprecedented—and precedent-setting. Spot-zoning in this case would open the door to other buildings of similar height.
Furthermore, a 46-story tower would not only destroy the historical character of the area but negate past and present infrastructure investments. The current continuity of scale in the area—the notion of perceiving similarly sized structures in a space—invites pedestrian use and creates a sense of place. Heading west in on the I-195 bridge, there is a continuous use of materials in fore- and middle-grounds that give a striking suggestion of Providence and of southern New England—of the conjunction of river and bay, and of structures past and present. A 46-story tower would appear as a solitary sore thumb, blocking light for the proposed park space, limiting access to the pedestrian bridge, and obliterating any view of the river area from the park. The area does not call for this extreme height on top of a massive parking garage—which would be the most visible structure from the ground level.
Last, this plan directly contradicts the master plan for the parcels and the neighborhood. All the profits from the project would be repatriated elsewhere. Construction jobs are ephemeral. Job creation from this project would be limited to 10 to 15 permanent positions, hardly upholding the charge of the Commission as a job-creator.
A vast majority of neighbors concur. According to a recent public opinion poll, respondents opposed the Fane proposal four-to-one—and six-to-one in adjacent zip codes. The Fane tower would not only be detrimental to economic investments and quality of life, but its spot-zoning would invite further erosion of some of the most valuable assets of our neighborhoods, City, and State. We strongly oppose the Fane proposal and encourage you to do the same.
Thank you for considering our position.
Sincerely,
Daisy Schnepel
Vice President
Fox Point Neighborhood Association
cc. Mayor Jorge Elorza, Seth Yurdin, Bonnie Nickerson, Nick Mattiello, Dominic Ruggerio, Peter McNally, Governor Gina Raimondo, Brett Smiley
PO Box 2315, Providence, RI 02906 | foxpointneighborhood@gmail.com | www.fpna.net