PROVIDENCE – The façade of the former Downing Corp. building on Weybosset Street could soon come tumbling down now that plans to build a 32-story residential high-rise there have fizzled.
The Downcity Design Review Committee next Monday will hear a request to tear down the structure next to the Arcade and replace it with a parking lot. Providence City Planning Director Tom Deller said Wednesday he expected the committee to approve the request but also require the owner to do some landscaping on the site.
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Technically, the request is for a temporary parking lot, which city regulations allow for up to two years with an option for the owner to ask for an additional year after that. What would occur after that is unclear.
In February 2005, Granoff Associates of Providence and BlueChip Properties of Boston announced plans to build a 32-story residential tower called One Ten Westminster. The $90 million building would have included 130 luxury condominiums. At the time, Mayor David N. Cicilline said the project “cements the city’s reputation as one of the premiere cities in the country.”
The developers went on to tear down the Downing Corp. building, except for the façade, but never started construction.
Another great example of the City getting snookered. The approval to tear down the old 100 Westminster was given with the priviso that the new building would utilize the facade. Now, no new building and no facade, but they get a parking lot. Crazy.