bad ideas

Reasons To Vote AGAINST Sabina Matos

Sabina Matos was in favor of the Fane Tower. In 2018, Providence City Councilwoman Matos voted to override Mayor Elorza’s veto of a needed zoning change. (WPRI 12.14.18) Ultimately, Mr. Fane’s funding fell apart and he went away, but Matos has returned to the riverfront and now seems pretty cozy with the Bally’s gambling people …

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Wickenden Street Under Threat

The architectural quirkiness and traditional character of the Wickenden streetscape continue to be threatened. Plans to raze the buildings at 269 (seen here) and the adjacent 249 Wickenden Street and replace them with yet another generic, cheesy-looking mixed-use box, passed a first hurdle Tuesday with the Providence City Plan Commission. Members of the Fox Point …

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No Corned Beef For RI Catholics On St. Pat’s

But snake meat would be fine. Technically, it’s the flesh of warmblooded animals that is off limits on Fridays. In the same week that Pope Francis opened the door to possibly revising the tradition of priestly celibacy, Rhode Island’s outgoing, ultra-conservative, Bishop Tobin declared that his flock must forgo corned beef this St. Patrick’s Day, …

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Sackler Documentary — Columbus Theatre

(3.16) Oscar nominated feature documentary “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” follows the life of artist Nan Goldin and the downfall of the Sackler family, the pharmaceutical dynasty largely responsible for the opioid epidemic’s unfathomable death toll. The film relates the photographer’s struggle with OxyContin and her protest against the art establishment that took money …

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NO To Fane Tower

The 195 Redevelopment District Commission’s own consultant is urging them to reject the latest version of Fane Tower. Among other problems, the new design could result in higher winds whipping through the adjacent park (which it will also be plunging into shadow). From the Providence Business News: The Fane Organization is presenting the updated design …

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Send Fane Packing

“My advice is, if you don’t like the way it looks, look in a different direction.” This was developer Jason Fane’s charm offensive three years ago when addressing the concerns of city residents who questioned the location of this oversized “luxury” condo tower. Now Fane has submitted this “new” design to the 195 Redevelopment District …

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NO To Police Surveillance Cameras

These are not just “license plate readers.” The cameras, now being installed around town for use by the Providence Police Department, will run 24-hours/day and will be recording much more data than your plate (see image below). Fortunately, some City Council members are tapping the brakes on this intrusive technology. Last night Helen Anthony, Rachel …

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New ‘Roadfood’ Unworthy Of PBS

And unworthy of your time. Shame on PBS, the home of Julia Child and Jacques Pépin. Their new show “Roadfood” is supposed to be an homage to Jane and Michael Stern, authors of the seminal “Roadfood” books, but the episode filmed in Rhode Island seems like a hastily researched treatment featuring a spectacularly unfit host. …

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Gov McKee — $3,000 To State Workers For Vaccination

Christmas is coming early for members of AFSCME*, the largest union of state workers, thanks to bonuses coming there way courtesy of the taxpayers of Rhode Island. Should their new contract be ratified as expected, Governor McKee will be providing two $1,500 bonuses to employees who have received a Covid vaccine. This is roughly $3,000 …

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Fane Tower Project Still Looms

Guess what did survive the pandemic. And just in time. With federal unemployment subsidies ending and eviction protections gone — let’s shovel money into the pockets of an out-of-town developer for a luxury apartment tower. (A Fane spokesperson calls them “market-rate apartments,” whatever that means. Clearly they are pivoting from the word “luxury.”) It has …

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Demolition Proposed For Wayland Square Landmark

The City Plan Commission will be holding a public information meeting in August for a major land development project in Wayland Square on the site of the former funeral home at 230 Waterman Street. The proposal includes demolition of the existing 1892 building (unprotected because it is not part of a local historic district) and …

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