The Providence Preservation Society has come out with its annual list of Most Endangered Places. The ‘P’ used to stand for ‘properties’ but ‘places’ is a better fit as the list now includes privately owned public places (Collier Park) and even the zip code around Providence College. (We will be covering both at a later date.) But let’s look at the Atlantic Mills on Manton Avenue, back for the umpteenth time. The PPS describes the threat to this complex as “displacement, gentrification and neglect.” But unlike so many other entries in these lists, this place is humming with activity and has lots of tenants.
The Atlantic Mills complex has attracted artists, makers, small, and micro businesses with affordable rents for large spaces for 70 years. Although it doesn’t have all of the outward attributes of a Jewelry District “innovation hub,” Atlantic Mills is, in fact, a significant economic development incubator and cultural center. The complex is home to the Big Top Flea Market, an Olneyville community staple that brings hundreds of visitors to the Mills every weekend. In addition to the market, there is also a church, several artist collectives, multiple (and massive) furniture stores, a dog kennel, a forge, carpentry studios, and a computer museum. The Olneyville Neighborhood Association is a long-standing tenant and runs critical community programs out of the Mills. It is estimated to be about 88% occupied.
In October, tenants learned of a potential sale of the property, and feared the worst: new luxury units with high rents. By December they had organized. From WPRI:
Tenants of Atlantic Mills are taking decisive action to protect the Providence landmark from falling into what they fear could be the wrong hands. At a rally held at Riverside Park on Saturday, it was announced that a supermajority of tenants has formed the Atlantic Mills Tenant Union, demanding direct negotiations with the landlord to address their concerns about the building’s future.
This move makes history as Rhode Island’s first commercial tenants union.
For now, the PPS reassures us that demolition, major alterations or large additions to the Atlantic Mills building, without the review of the City’s Historic District Commission, is not allowed.
(Seen here is the wonderfully vertiginous staircase in the northern tower (furthest away in photo below). I love how they spaced pointy studs along the black railing. Was there a problem with people sliding down? Yikes.)
**********************************
What a unique ediface and the brickwork is stunning.
Big Top Flea Market open Saturday and Sunday.
Why are we still talking about this huge dinosaur that has nothing but problems? It has waterline leakage issues, the bulding is falling apart, it floods constantly. I say, tear it down and put up affordable housing!