Armory Advocacy

Purpose: To preserve and reuse the Cranston Street Armory – a nationally recognized, state owned civic building – as a public private partnership that would benefit the diverse west side community, the City of Providence and the entire state of Rhode Island.

Upcoming events

Armory Advocacy Committee meets as part of WBNA Neighborhood Nights on or close to the first Tuesday of each month at West Broadway Middle School. The Armory Advocacy Committee breakout session starts at 7pm following the General Meeting which starts at 6pm. Child care, food and translation services will be provided.

Recent Posts

Featured
BEST GIFT EVER: Pete Cardoso Armory Poster
BEST GIFT EVER: Pete Cardoso Armory Poster

The fabulous Pete Cardoso screen print has been re-issued by the artist in all new colors. Each print is signed and numbered. GET YOURS TODAY, and support our advocacy for this glorious building!

Let's do this thing: Armory Proposals Needed
Let's do this thing: Armory Proposals Needed

The State is looking for full proposals from developers and operators to restore, re-activate, and re-use the Armory, and we need everyone’s help to spread the word! Read on to see how community voice shows up in the State’s Request for Proposals – THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!

The Armory's Future Starts Now
The Armory's Future Starts Now

The State of Rhode Island officially wants to know WHO is interested in using the Cranston Street Armory and for what purposes. Potential users could be community groups, developers and everything in between. Chances are, YOU, neighbor, know someone (or know someone who knows someone) who could really make something special happen in our Castle for the People. With a deadline of January 25 for potential users and operators to share ideas and interest with the state, we need all hands on deck to get the word out about the state’s open “Request for Information” period happening NOW.

Armory: Upcoming Public Meeting with Consultants
Armory: Upcoming Public Meeting with Consultants

WBNA has been working with the state since June to ensure that a comprehensive presentation to the public about the Cranston Street Armory will take place in September that includes consultant Utile’s findings on possible re-uses for our neighborhood castle, as well as a reporting on the positive progress and momentum currently underway for this state asset.

COMMITTEE Objective

Be a “watchdog” for the Armory, pursue avenues for its preservation, become a trusted source of information and an effective communicator about its status, and meet with stakeholders across the state with the intent of finding a sustainable and sensitive re-use for this historic and iconic neighborhood landmark.


GOALS

  • Work with the Department of Administration to:
    • Encourage an investment of $3 million a year each year going forward towards the building’s exterior renovation needs
    • Get cost estimates on interior needs to enable regular use of the building, beginning with Drill Hall and ballroom, and assist in securing funds for this interior work
    • Make the building available for short-term lease through a license agreement
    • Assemble a working group that includes a team of nationally and locally respected professionals to engage in a community process of finding and facilitating a viable re-use of the building
       
  • Pursue avenues for the building’s preservation such as nominating the building for National Landmark Status and the Save America’s Treasures program
     
  • Explore new opportunities, respond to emerging challenges and obstacles and adjust advocacy approach accordingly
     
  • Create and implement a communications plan that reaches and engages a variety of stakeholders
     
  • Ensure that sensitive historic preservation measures are employed in all aspects of the building's renovation and repair
     
  • Look towards the most innovative green and renewable energy strategies that are compatible with preservation when upgrading HVAC systems and undertaking renovation in the Armory
     
  • Encourage broad-range thinking about reuse that takes into account the vastness of the building and its natural partitioning into four areas: two head houses, drill hall, and basement
     
  • Further explore general reuse themes that are frequently mentioned such as Art, Athletic, Archives, Convention & Events, School, Business Incubator, Food and Flea Market
     

COMMITTEE CHAIR

Jenica Reed Conley