FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2018 Providence, RI
JDA VOTES NO ON HOPE POINT TOWER
In a vote taken on April 10, 2018 the Board of Directors of the Jewelry District Association declared its opposition to the proposal from Developer Jason Fane for Hope Point Tower, a 46-story residential tower on Dyer Street in Providence.
(The proposed 1.08-acre site is known asParcel 42 on the I-195 land and borders a parcel slated to become a public park at the western end of the Providence River pedestrian bridge, now under construction.)
The vote was unanimous against the proposal including granting the zone change for this the project (with three abstentions).
Sharon Steele, JDA Acting President, cited a number of objections to the project that have been raised in discussions with Board members, including:
Proximity to the new Providence River Park …A public park is scheduled to begin construction on Parcel 4, between Parcel 42 and the river, upon the completion of the new pedestrian bridge. This skyscraper is in no way compatible with a public park.
Out of scale with its surroundings ...The tower will stand solitarily on its site, bearing no relation to the scale of any other buildings in the District, including Wexford’s seven story complex, under construction, across the street. Unlike the Downcity Financial District, there are no similar towers here.
Height of the tower ... The proposed height of 400 feet is four times the height of 100 feet allowed under the recently enacted Providence zoning ordinance. The code stipulates that buildings higher than 100 feet must be sited closer to I-95.
The massive 5-story base ... A forbidding, unbroken 5-story wall (with some retail) will form the base fronting on Dyer Street. Both the base and tower will completely shade the park during prime afternoon use of the riverside park and bridge and will totally block the east-west views.
Subsidies … The public is being asked to approve tax breaks for these luxury apartments when what the city needs is more affordable housing.
The Jewelry District Association is the neighborhood association for residents and businesses in what was formerly the hub of jewelry making in America. The JDA seeks to promote development in the District that will bring businesses, jobs and new residents while promoting an improved quality of life. The JDA actively encourages mixed use development in our neighborhood.
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