Ian Barnacle became president of the Fox Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) in April. Barnacle, a broker agent at Residential Properties Ltd., arrives at a busy time for the Providence neighborhood. The General Assembly agreed in June to place a referendum on the ballot that will ask voters whether to approve $3.2 million for the state to purchase the former Shooters nightclub. And work continues on the demolition of the old Interstate 195 that cut off the neighborhood from the Providence River.
PBN: What inspired you to want to lead the neighborhood association?
BARNACLE: Fox Point is Providence’s Greenwich Village. I bought my house in Fox Point as a young Realtor because I saw value in a diverse neighborhood that accommodates residential life, recreation, and small and large enterprise, as well as a history as Rhode Island’s first permanently settled community.
In 2008, I came to FPNA with a concern about a public utility company’s disrespect for my private property and for neighborhood aesthetics, and their support helped resolve my issue that affected thousands of residents throughout the state. My involvement in FPNA has grown through this experience, through the reconstruction of the Iway, and through the discussion on the Shooters property, and I am proud to be involved in an organization that is committed to progress for the quality of life of Rhode Islanders.
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PBN: What are some goals you have as president?
BARNACLE: FPNA continues to be an advocate for the betterment of the community. We are a young organization and as I transition into the presidency, I feel it is important that we assess our strengths and weaknesses, define roles and goals, and ensure that our nonprofit has a place in Fox Point’s future that outlasts all of us. I would like to give the people of Fox Point a stronger voice through expanded advocacy, membership and social events to create a better Providence.
PBN: The former Shooters nightclub at India Point has received a lot of attention lately. The General Assembly agreed in early June to ask voters to approve $14.7 million for the purchase of the property along with the former Rocky Point amusement park, as well as pay for renovations at Fort Adams. What does the association think about this?
BARNACLE: FPNA has made it a priority over the past year to focus on our waterfront. We have created a website, makeshooterspublic.com, to support the initiative of our offshoot, Head of the Bay Gateway.
We support creating a waterfront destination at Shooters, at 25 India St., to attract people to Providence’s waterfront on the bay. The Open Space/Recreation Bond recognizes that Narragansett Bay is an open space that must be protected and made accessible to everyone – and a public facility at 25 India St. will enable people from Providence access to the bay, as well as providing access to the city by water from all over the bay, and beyond.
The enterprise encompasses a marina and docking facility for excursion boats, cruise ships, ferry boats and transient boaters, as well as a restaurant, event facility and additional amenities and enterprises on shore. A public transit connection and access to the river walk, bike paths and Providence’s “Mile of History” along Benefit Street all provide the reconnection with our bay for residents, visitors and tourists.
FPNA supports the bond funds to improve our facilities around the bay. The funds allocated to 25 India St. will allow the state to repay the federal highway fund for the acquisition price of that property and retain state ownership. A lease to a private entity would enable the state to maintain control, and engage businesses to operate facilities on the property that will pay taxes to the city. At 25 India St., the gateway concept is not for passive open space, rather, it is for tax-paying businesses to operate in a facility that allows and encourages use of the bay and the waterfront.
PBN: How will you encourage people to support it?
BARNACLE: People can sign the petition at makeshooterspublic.com to show support around the state and region for “Shooters” as an important attraction, to draw visitors and tourists to Providence and the bay. FPNA and HOBG will be working together with the Rocky Point and Fort Adams proponents to promote the importance and impact these initiatives will have on Rhode Island, its economy and quality of life.
PBN: The relocation of Interstate 195 will free up a lot of land along the Providence River. Any thoughts on what should take the place of the highway?
BARNACLE:From our neighborhood’s perspective, good development will include and respect neighborhood-scaled mixed-use development that will be attracted by our creative, diverse and historic community. A destination at 25 India St. that attracts all ages and backgrounds to the bay and that will enhance the value of the future development of properties on the other parcels being freed up by Iway changes.
Construction of a new pedestrian bridge on the pilings of the old highway bridge across the Providence River will begin to complete the city’s beautiful riverwalks and link the Jewelry District, Fox Point and Downcity communities. This walking path needs to be finalized by extension out the west side of the Providence River, all the way to the bay shoreline. Ideally, Providence should have a greenway/walk along its entire shoreline.
