Yet Another Legal Win for the Historic Grove Street School

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Created on Saturday, 21 August 2010 14:48

Written by Kari Nel Lang

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA)

Kari Lang (WBNA), 401-301-3821, 401-831-9344 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Yet Another Legal Win for the Historic Grove Street School

Significant school building wins in court every time, yet languishes from owner neglect

Providence, Rhode Island – August 21, 2010

On Thursday, August 12, the State Building Code Standards Committee Board of Appeal upheld a City of Providence Building Board of Review decision that sustained the City of Providence Building Official’s order that the owners of the Grove Street School must immediately stabilize and secure the historic school building.  By a vote of 13 to 3, the board deemed the July 20, 2009 order by Providence Building Official Kerry Anderson necessary for public safety.

In the more than three years since the historic building—owned by members of the Tarro family—was illegally partially demolished on the morning of Saturday, February 3, 2007, there have been a Superior Court trial, an appeal to the Supreme Court, and two administrative appeals, with the decisions rendered in that successfully prevented further demolition of the School.  After the partial demolition occurred in February 2007, the City hired attorney Deming Sherman to pursue a case against the owners, due to the fact that partial owner Michael Tarro is employed by the City of Providence as an assistant solicitor.  Michael Tarro is also running for the State Representative seat vacated by House Finance Commitee Chairman Steven M. Costantino.

Unfortunately, as the School wins in court, it remains open to the weather and vandals with broken windows, holes in the roof, and an immense opening where the demolition occurred.  It also is covered in graffiti, and the site itself is trash-strewn, and overgrown with weeds.  Neighbor Kathy Pearce said, “This situation is ridiculous, if you or I were to keep our homes this way, the City would heavily fine us and move to take our property, yet this situation is allowed to continue.”  She continued, “Neighbors want to see the historic Grove Street School preserved and reused.  From a neighborhood safety perspective, it is dangerous that the building is allowed to be kept open.”

Relief may soon come to the School, as the City has indicated that it will board the building and secure it from intrusion and the weather, and will put a lien on the property to cover the cost of the stabilization work.  The City also pledged to write up all the violations that exist on the property.

As for the long-term solution for the School, a reuse study has been completed, and there is an interested buyer who is willing to purchase the School, and put it to good, neighborhood-sensitive use.

The Grove Street Elementary School is the last remaining grammar school which symbolizes a defining era of immigration in Providence’s Federal Hill.  It was one of five grammar schools built to serve the rapidly increasing immigrant population of Federal Hill in 1900. Residents and preservation advocates argue that the Grove Street School embodies a critical piece of the neighborhood’s heritage, and should be saved to benefit the community through its re-use as a cultural center such as a museum, or for social services or housing.

Executive Director of the WBNA, Kari Lang exclaimed, “In a city where preservation is claimed to be highly valued, the historic Grove Street School is the poster child for demolition by neglect and for following the law.  This situation highlights a blatant disregard for the laws that we all live by in the City of Providence and the State of Rhode Island. As Mayor Cicilline said when he came to the scene of the demolition back in 2007 ‘This isn’t the Wild, Wild West.’  I hope during this election season, the City of Providence, our elected officials, and even the candidates, will take on this case and save our school in the name of legality, as well as neighborhood preservation.”

Anne Tait, one of the neighborhood leaders of the effort to preserve the historic site said, “The Federal Hill neighborhood has seen many waves of immigration; the school should be used to celebrate our past, and our cultural heritage. We applaud the efforts of Mayor Cicilline, and are hopeful that this important building will have a second chance to serve the community.”

Several studies conducted over the past two years determined that the school is structurally sound and salvageable for re-use. One study by Charles Hagenah Architects, Inc., of Waltham, MA, includes a detailed plan and feasibility review for renovation of the Grove Street School as condominiums with green, energy efficient features such as solar panels.  Engineer and architect Wil Yoder of Providence conducted a structural review and concluded that the school building is in good and sound condition except for its southeast corner, where the previous demolition attempt compromised the exterior wall of the structure.

The building was decommissioned by the Providence Public School Department in 1980. While the site was left unused for over 30 years, its recognition as an important historic property increased. It is included as a contributing historic property in the Broadway-Armory National Register Historic District, the Industrial and Commercial Buildings District, and the Providence Preservation Society’s Endangered Properties list.

Established in 1983, the West Broadway Neighborhood Association organizes neighbors and businesses on the West Side of Providence to preserve and promote their diverse, historic, urban community as a safe, vibrant and sustainable place to live, work, and play.  For more information about the WBNA, please visit www.wbna.org or call 401.831.9344.

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WBNA Enews 8.12.2010 (Special Edition)

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Created on Thursday, 12 August 2010 16:24

Written by Kari Nel Lang

WBNA Enews 8.12.2010 (Special Edition)

We hope all of you have had an enjoyable summer thus far.  Our West Side Thursday’s concert series was a huge success. “Thank You” to The Rolling Bones, Santa Mamba, Miss Wensday & the New Medicinals, Louisiana Hayride and the Department of Art, Culture, & Tourism for helping make the 2010 concert series a success.

Please don’t forget to stop by the FARMER’s MARKET for some fresh produce grown locally every Thursday from 3:00PM – 7:00PM, now through October.

IMPORTANT upcoming Neighborhood Events:

SAVE THE DATE: WBNA hosts LOCAL CITY & STATE CANDIDATES NIGHT at the WBNA on  Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 5:30pm. City council candidates from  Wards 13 & 15 and State Representative candidates from Districts 9 & 14 have been invited. Meet & mingle with candidates from 5:30pm-6:00pm. Program begins promptly at 6:00pm. More details to follow.

SAVE THE DATE: MAYORAL DEBATE, Thursday, Sept. 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street.  The Providence Preservation Society and the Providence Revolving Fund will host a mayoral debate. Candidates will discuss preservation issues critical to Providence's economic vitality, sense of place, and continued neighborhood development. If you have preservation-related questions you would like the candidates to address, please e-mail them to Kathleen Philp, Preservation & Advocacy Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

SAVE THE DATE: Dexter Park Clean-Up on Saturday, September 25 at the Dexter Training Ground Park. The WBNA Friends of Dexter Training Ground will host a clean-up of the park that will include picking up trash, and painting benches and trash cans. More details to follow.

NOTE: A presentation will be made and feedback and involvement will be sought from NEIGHBORS as we begin to plan for rebuilding the playground for our children

WBNA thanks the Parks Department for working with us to replace six trees that had died in the park this summer and for bringing more trash barrels to the park.

SeeClick Fix: Check out this website http://www.seeclickfix.com/providence Got a complaint in your neighborhood? West Side neighbors have this to be a very useful tool to helping solve some

Non-emergency issues. Click this link http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/seeclickfix-plus/id348529764?mt=8 if you have an iPhone to download the application. If you have a Twitter account  go here http://twitter.com/seeclickfix.   NOTE: Always call 9-1-1- for Emergencies.

“THANK YOU” to Senator Harold Metts for securing a $1000 legislative grant for the WBNA to help us continue our work providing programs, events, and advocacy to the West Side.

Other Area Events:

India Point Park Music Series. – on August 12^th, 19^th and 26 from 5:00pm-10:00pm. This event is part of the “Celebrate Providence!” Neighborhood Performing Arts Series and is presented and sponsored by the City of Providence, David N. Cicilline, Mayor, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, the Parks Department and Friends of India Point Park.

Learn to Play Bocce Ball: The Nocabulabet (original name for Federal Hill) Bocce League threatens to go on WITHOUT Deboccery, the most infamous, boldest, tastiest team in the league!  Ok, we’ve never been THAT good, but we’re good enough. The Capo, is seeking new members.  Things to know:

1. Bocce is reliable fun
2. Federal Hill, Wednesday nights beginning 8/25, 8 weeks, 6:45pm-9:30pm-ish
3. We are 16 teams of 6 players each, each team needs 4 players per game (and 2 alternates who can take the night off if they want)
4. Each team pays $50 (divided by 6 players) for the season which goes toward equipment and our season-end party, this equates to about $1 per player per game
5. Practice is cheating (you don’t have to be any good)

Hoping you can join us, and please forward to friends who might be interested.

WBNA Enews 7.7.2010

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Created on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 15:46

Written by Kari Nel Lang

WESTSIDE THURSDAYS are BACK for 2010!

FREE performances every Thursday in July!

Dexter Training Ground, Parade Street

Next to the FarmFresh Farmers' Market

This week:

SANTA MAMBA! Cross-cultural, Latin roots-rock! Magic, rumba and spice!

They're rock! They're meringue! They're salsa! They're amazing!

Bring your friends and ytour dancing shoes, or just sit and enjoy some music in the park

Just don't miss this FREE show!

Families bring a picnic and sit in the shadow of the Cranston Street Armory to watch West Side Thursdays live performances on 4 Thursdays in July from 6 to 8 pm. These shows will complement the Parade Street Farmer’s Market which will be selling fabulous fresh produce on those Thursdays from 3 to 7pm.

Upcoming shows:

July 15 – Miss Wensday & the New Medicinals

July 22 – Louisiana Hayride – Elvis Tribute Band with a twist

July 29 - rain date

We hope to see you all there!

West Side Thursdays is a part of “Celebrate Providence!” Neighborhood Performing Arts Series and is presented and sponsored by the City of Providence, David N. Cicilline, Mayor, the Department of Art, Culture + Tourism, and the Parks Department, the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA).

WBNA Enews 5.11.2010 

PROVIDENCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY TO ANNOUNCE 2010 TEN MOST ENDANGERED PROPERTIES LIST, WED., MAY 12 at 514 Broadway

purpose is to generate interest in and support for the preservation of these significant structures; to educate the public about the benefits of historic preservation and the unique architectural resources in our city; and to foster creative collaboration among property owners, developers and other interested parties to bring about positive changes in each property.  The press conference will be open to the public and all are welcome. Please respond to Kathleen Philp at (401) 831-7440 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

John Hope Settlement House Lecture:   There  will be a lecture by Dr. Pedro Noguera, a renowned educator whose passion for race and its implications for closing the Achievement Gap has been widely documented.  This lecture will be held on May 13 from 10am – 12pm at

7 Thomas P. Whitten Way Providence, RI 02903. RSVP by Monday May 10 to reserve your seat by calling 401-421-6993,

Groundwork community garden design charrette THIS SATURDAY at the WBNA:   The Public Design Review will be held on May 15th at 3pm. Review and voice your opinion on the design development of the Grove/Ring Street Community Garden.  New designs are created in partnership between Groundwork Providence and Rhode Island School Of Design's Department of Graduate Studies. Public input is essential to the success of this amazing community asset. The new site will integrate innovative 'green' technologies, sustainable urban agriculture, eco-education and community place-making. Your voice will ensure the prosperity of this neighborhood resource.

WBNA-Neighborhood Wide  Annual Yard Sale:  It is that time again!  The WBNA annual Yard sale is on Saturday May 22 from 8:30am – 1:00pm at 1560 Westminster Street.  If you have any ITEMS to donate that will be sold at the WBNA yard sale please call 831-9344 or email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   information with details of donations ASAP.  All proceeds from the yard sale benefit the WBNA.

~ IMPORTANT~  Don’t forget to register with the WBNA (for the nominal fee of $10.00) and get your address on the Neighborhood Yard Sale Map.  This map will be handed out FREE of charge at the WBNA.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 831-9344 for details.

Other Area News:

Census 2010 – The 2010 Census has shifted to its important second half of operations: nonresponse follow-up interviews with households that did not return a 2010 Census form. Your commitment to raising awareness about the census has been remarkable, leading to a nationwide mail back participation rate of 72%. However, we need your continued support as we work to complete the count going door-to-door this May through early July. Visit http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp?id=68872 to access the webcast at that time.

WBNA Enews 5.18.2010

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Created on Tuesday, 18 May 2010 17:27

Written by Kari Nel Lang

WBNA Enews 5.18.2010

NEIGHBORHOOD  HAPPENINGS:

Neighborhood Wide Yard Sale: Saturday May 22, 2010: The WBNA annual Yard sale is on Saturday May 22 from 8:30am – 1:00pm at 1560 Westminster Street.  If you have any ITEMS to donate that will be sold at the WBNA yard sale please call 831-9344 or email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. information with details of donations ASAP.  All proceeds from the yard sale benefit the WBNA. WBNA also welcomes plant donations and baked goods for our bake sale.

There is still time to register with the WBNA (for the nominal fee of $10.00) and get your address on the Neighborhood Yard Sale Map.  This map will be handed out FREE of charge at the WBNA.  Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 831-9344 for details.

West Side House Party:: West Side House Party is being held at  Clingstone on Thursday, June 10, 2009 from 5:30-8:30pm. Limited Number of Ticket’s Available for this event. Please order early -- Please visit www.wbna.org or call 831-9344 for details. Read about Clingstone here http://tiny.cc/oyvha

Federal Hill Neighborhood Revitalization Meeting is on Wednesday, May 19th at 6:00 pm. The topic is Education (children, youth and adult).  Representatives from the Workforce Solutions Office and other members from the education field to discuss/answer questions. Please be sure to outreach to as many neighbors and bring them along! Call 401.421-4722 for more information.

OTHER  AREA NEWS:

District 4 Substation Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: There will be a Substation Ribbon cutting Ceremony will take place on May 26^th at 4:30pm at 200 Cranston St. Everyone is welcome!

Substation (Volunteer) Needed: The Providence Police Department District 4 Commander is looking for a volunteer for the refurbished Community Policing substation.  Please contact: LT Luis F. San Lucas , substation phone # 401-243-6940 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To get more details on the job description

WBNA Tool Bank: Please remember to patronize the WBNA’s tool bank.  WBNA members can rent tools from the tool bank for the minimal cost  of  $2.00- 5.00 for Mon-Thurs or Thurs.-Mon. rental. (This is much cheaper than renting tools from the major DIY store rentals rates) We have a wide variety of gardening tools available to help make your garden bloom. Thanks to a grant from the DEM, one of the newest addition to our tool bank is the rechargeable lawn mower (http://www.worxyardtools.com/cordless/lawn-mowers.html) . It is environmentally friendly and QUIET‼ Your neighbors will not hear it even if it is used early on a Saturday/Sunday morning! The battery can be removed and handles folded making it possible to be transported in most cars!!! 3-in-1 mower mulches, side-discharges and bags

• Ergonomic handle reduces fatigue
• Cuts up to 17,500 square feet
• The mower is available for immediate rental. Please contact Kari if interested.
• We also have a gas powered vacuum / chipper / shredder available for rental although not as environmentally friendly it will certainly help with the task of cleaning up your yard

Armory Update:

Two weeks ago, gubernatorial candidate Senator Lincoln Chafee toured the Cranston Street Armory with WBNA Executive Director Kari Lang.  Senator Chafee wanted to learnt can be made to WBNA. more information about the state-owned Armory.  He spoke highly of the facility, recognized its great historic and architectural significance plus reuse potential, and reminisced that his own father’s gubernatorial inaugural ball was held in the Armory.  Since the RI National Guard vacated the Armory in 1997, the WBNA has been advocating for the preservation and reuse of the Armory.  WBNA would be happy to tour the Armory with each of the gubernatorial candidates.  The Armory is a state treasure of national significance and the WBNA is anxious to see the next Governor actively participate in securing building and neighborhood appropriate uses/tenants for Rhode Island’s “castle for the people.”

A Feminist Art Salon: Anna Shapiro is hosting “SubText” at her studio at 215 West Park Street in Providence (between Smith Hill and Promenade Street) WEDNESDAY, May 26th from 7-9PM.  SubText is always FREE and open to everyone. This is a welcoming group and the perfect place to meet new people, talk about feminism, or sit and listen. Join us!  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to join their mailing list.

Census 2010 – The 2010 Census has shifted to its important second half of operations: nonresponse follow-up interviews with households that did not return a 2010 Census form. Your commitment to raising awareness about the census has been remarkable, leading to a nationwide mail back participation rate of 72%. However, we need your continued support as we work to complete the count going door-to-door this May through early July