Recent Successes

Landmark legislation a win for Federal Hill, entire state 

Governor signs gas meter legislation protecting property rights statewide

 Providence, Rhode Island -- July 21, 2009  After a year-long effort, Federal Hill residents and statewide organizations are celebrating Governor Donald L. Carcieri's approval of an unprecedented consumer protection law requiring National Grid to consult with property owners before installing or relocating gas meters on house exteriors.

 While advocates in other states have launched campaigns for similar protections, Rhode Island is the first to enact a law that gives rights to owners of both historic and non-historic property in the face of powerful utility companies. 

 Representative Steven M. Costantino and Senator Paul V. Jabour introduced sister bills when National Grid failed to strike a compromise with city and statewide groups. Prior to the law's passage, consumers had no rights regarding where gas meters and regulators could be installed on their properties. Under the new law, the gas company must ask permission before it moves or installs a gas meter, and allows historic homeowners to keep meters inside basements.

 The law's passage did not happen easily, however. Advocates battled for months to preserve the bills against pressure and amendments from National Grid's powerful lobbyists. Continued efforts from the bills' co-sponsors and other leaders, as well as unanimous support from the House and Senate, eventually landed the bill on the Governor's desk.

 "We have so many to thank for supporting this issue and legislation, starting with Senator Jabour and Representative Costantino and Councilman Lombardi," said Kari Lang, Executive Director of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association. "

"This was truly a collaborative effort and a shared victory, as well as a testament to how important this law is to the protection of citizens rights. We hope it can serve as a model for other states to follow.

 The movement against National Grid's gas meter relocations began in Providence's Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods last summer when the community became aware of a little known aspect of the utility company's gas main replacement program. Whenever the company replaces aging gas mains in the street, it attempts to move adjacent gas meters that are currently installed inside basements to the exterior fronts of houses.

 Residents were outraged when National Grid's new meter placements blocked access to parking and walkways, and feared dangerous meter installations on the front of houses where they could be struck by vehicles, the leading cause of a house explosion in Providence this past May.

 The West Broadway Neighborhood Association held multiple public meetings led by Councilman John J. Lombardi, and was soon joined by other neighborhoods such as College Hill, Fox Point, and Wayland Square. By the end of fall, Councilman Lombardi�s ordinance to protect Providence homeowners against the company's forcible gas meter relocations had unanimously passed, but could not be enforced until state law was in place.

 While the battle began in Providence, it quickly gained support among organizations and citizens across the state, including realtors, contractors and affordable housing developers, multiple historic preservation agencies, and municipal planning departments. Advocates such as the RI Association of Realtors argued that exterior gas meters blighted properties and drove down property values leading to lowered tax revenues for cities and towns.

 The National Trust for Historic Preservation brought Rhode Island's efforts to national attention, charging that exterior gas meters mar the integrity of historic homes and communities, and threaten Rhode Island's valuable historic heritage. Other preservation groups such as the Providence Preservation Society, Newport Restoration Foundation, and PreserveRI also actively rallied behind community and legislative efforts.

Grove Street School poised for new life

Preservation victory for Providence bestowed by Supreme Court decision

 Providence, Rhode Island � July 15, 2009 � Neighborhood residents and preservation advocates are cautiously optimistic about a decision made by the Rhode Island Supreme Court that could save the last remaining grammar school which symbolizes a defining era of immigration in Providence�s Federal Hill.

 The Grove Street Elementary School 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.

 Mayor David N. Cicilline and the City of Providence intervened when an attempt was made to demolish the building without a permit in 2007, and have remained committed to preserving the school throughout a lengthy legal process that recently ended at the State Supreme Court. 

 �The Grove Street School is a vital piece of Federal Hill�s history. This neighborhood has seen so many waves of immigration; the school can be used to celebrate our past and 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,� said Anne Tait, one of the leaders of the effort to preserve the historic site.

 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 a 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.

 The City is currently reviewing its options for the future of Grove Street Elementary School. Community and preservation groups are hopeful for an outcome that will allow creative re-use for the historic building that will once again benefit and serve the Federal Hill neighborhood. Many advocates have touted Mayor Cicilline as a champion of this victory for preservation and community efforts.

 Still Coming soon

West Side Pilot Overnight Permit Parking Program slightly delayed - The City had previously announced that the program that will cover much of the WBNA focus area and will allow permitted cars to park on the street overnight would begin this week; however, the manufacturer of the parking signs is late in delivering the signs. Once they are delivered and installed, the pilot will begin.  Providence Parking Administrator, Ernie Carlucci does not expect the delay to be long.  He shares neighbor's enthusiasm in beginning the pilot.  To see if your home is included in the pilot area, go to: http://www.providenceri.com/publicworks/ .  Rest assured, if you find you are not in the pilot area and would like to be, the City has set up a process for you to add your street to the program given you get the support of your neighbors.  Call Mr. Carlucci at 467-7950 for more information.

 A new group to combat crime

Please consider joining our local CrimeWatch listserve group which mainly serves the area between Broadway and Westminster (known to some as "the column") and the streets immediately adjacent to it. Our intention is to keep it very local but we also have some friends from the Armory on the list; we are exploring how to make the list as specific and effective as possible for our communities.

 Thanks to Josh and Lindsay for setting up this easy way for neighbors to quickly SELF-REPORT crimes in their immediate area to other neighbors and to the Providence Police Dept. This list is separate from the advocacy & neighborhood news group (gas meter issues, tree planting, events, etc), and requires you to join the group at the following link:

Please note that you will be asked to join googlegroups (if you aren't already a member). It is a safe and established listserve service and respects and protects your privacy. Once you join the "CrimeWatch-in-the-column" group you can then send an email to the entire group by simply sending it to: crime-watch-in-the-column@googlegroups.com

 So far the group has been very effective but this is the first time I have had a chance to invite all of you to join. The more people who join, the more effective it will be. Police Lt. SanLucas has been extremely supportive of our efforts and encourages everyone to stay alert, keep your eyes wide open, and report anything suspicious you might have noticed, EVEN IF YOU THINK IT'S NOTHING. He describes fighting crime as a kind of puzzle and every bit of info helps to complete it.

 Thanks for your continued vigilance in our neighborhood during this unfortunate increase in crime in our community.

 Best regards,

Jessica

 Please note that the WBNAis considering creating more google groups in the other areas of the neighborhood to combat crime.  Please email wbna@wbna.org if you would participate if your area had a google group.

Thanks.

Kari

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United States Census 2010

Did you know that next year the U.S. Census Bureau will be sending out 2010 Census Questionnaires.  The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States. 

The U.S. Constitution requires a national census once every 10 years.  The census will show state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Census questionnaires will be mailed to households in the U.S. in March 2010.  Please plan to participate.