I-195 commission approves design for Hope Point Tower

THE BASE of the Hope Point tower, as shown in a rendering that faces Dyer Street from the new city park./COURTESY I-195 REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMISSION.
THE BASE of the Hope Point tower, as shown in a rendering that faces Dyer Street from the new city park. / COURTESY I-195 REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT COMMISSION.

PROVIDENCE — The luxury high-rise Hope Point Tower gained a critical approval Wednesday, securing design waivers that will allow its developer to build on a parcel overlooking the Providence River and the East Side.

The I-195 Redevelopment District Commission authorized three waivers from city design requirements and design approval following a nearly three-hour bloc of public comment, much of it opposed.

Only one commissioner voted against. Sandra Smith said after the meeting the “egregious” size of the building was too much. “It’s inappropriate for the site,” she said. No other commissioners spoke publicly of their reasons for approving the project, which was put forward by The Fane Organization. The written decision is expected to include specific points and will be approved at a later date.

The 46-story residential tower will become the tallest building in Providence if it achieves all approvals and is built. It is expected to have a project cost exceeding $250 million. The developer, Jason Fane, said following the meeting that his next step is to secure an approval from the state historic preservation officer.

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The project drew more than 60 people to the commission meeting, held at the newly opened Wexford Science & Technology building in the district.

In a presentation, the commission’s design consultant said the project’s 6-story parking garage, which will become the tower base, was designed to relate to the Wexford building, which is about the same height. “The spirit, the intent of this [design] code is being met,” said Tim Love, of the firm Utile.

Critics of the project included residents of the neighborhoods in Providence, former and current city council members and business owners. They objected to the height of the 46-story tower and its location overlooking a long-awaited park.

Peter Avanti, a Fox Point resident, pointed out that the park is going to be effectively turned into the “back yard” of the private residential tower, given its height and the size of the parking base. “We will be living with this, with no access code.”

John Woolsey, an architect, pointed out that the reason why the project required three waivers was simple: “It is much, much, much too high” for the area, he said.

Supporters included other city residents and many representatives of the construction trades, who argued the building represents hundreds of good-paying jobs.

Architect David DeQuattro, also spoke in favor, saying: “It’s not a historic building. It’s a new building. All cities have old and new. All cities have to grow.”

The building will qualify for public subsidies, although it is targeting luxury condominium buyers. The state General Assembly has authorized up to $25 million for the project, an addition to the fiscal 2020 budget and excluded it from limitations for incentives under the Rebuild Rhode Island program.

After the meeting, Fane said he didn’t seek that out but said it was intended to encourage investment in Rhode Island and to make sure the project goes forward. “And I appreciate their encouragement,” he said.

Hope Point Tower also is expected to qualify for an automated tax stabilization agreement through the city of Providence, which will reduce its property taxes over 20 years.

Fane before the meeting said the project will meet a demand for housing in Providence. He noted that the city will need to grow to 250,000 people to pay its bills. “This means that additional housing is needed,” he said. The tower will fulfill a need for future residents, he said, drawing on markets including down-sizers, commuters to Boston and professionals who want to live in a high-rise apartment.

“It falls to the developer and to the architect to represent the people of the future. We have done our best to fulfill that responsibility. We advocate for the future and I believe the commission does, too.”

Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Go Hope Point Tower! Cities do need to grow and change with time. And the naysayers, the “not in my back yarders” and those lacking vision for the future must not be allowed to block the progress of the City. If such people did not want to have a high rise building where they live, then they should not have moved into a downtown formerly industrial district on land that is of no particular historical significance but for the memory of the industries that once thrived on now vacant land.

    I am an historic preservationist and ask that those who oppose the Tower for selfish reasons direct their time, energy and effort to a truly critical historic asset – the restoration and repurposing of the Industrial Trust Tower (a.k.a. the “Superman” building), the loss of which would have a far greater impact on the psyche and the historical fabric pf Providence than the Hope Point Tower. Just as Providence was a national leader in a vision for the future with completion in 1927 of the Industrial Trust Tower (completed before the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings in New York), let’s allow Providence to build a vision for the 21st Century and support the Hope Point Tower from start to finish!