PROVIDENCE – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza vetoed a zoning change on Friday that would have allowed a New York developer to construct the city’s tallest building.
His move drew swift praise from opponents of the Hope Point Tower, and a rebuke from state legislative leaders, who had urged him earlier to approve the project.
In his two-page veto letter to the Providence City Council, Elorza said he made it clear to the developer of the project that the design of the building was his top priority. “I want to be sure that the building, both from a skyline and from a streetscape perspective, worked for the city,” he wrote.
He wanted the city to retain final design approval of the project, rather than merely advisory input. “If this building is going to reshape our skyline, then the city should be able to approve what it looks like.”
Ultimately, the developer and he were not able to reach agreement on that, he stated, without identifying Jason Fane, president of The Fane Organization, by name.
“The developer has been unwilling to provide assurances that the city’s design recommendations would not be disregarded,” Elorza wrote. “As such, I have decided to veto this zoning change.”
The council, in a divided series of votes, authorized a zoning change this month that would have allowed a building of up to 600 feet on the property sought by the Fane Organization. The current zoning allows 100 feet for new construction. The final design for the building is not complete, but Fane has sought a 46-story building that would accommodate some 400 apartments.
The project has an estimated construction value of $300 million.
A representative for Fane said the decision was a punitive action.
“We have endeavored to compromise in good faith in an effort to get an agreement done that best serves the interest of all the citizens of Providence. His veto is an extraordinarily punitive action against this specific project and the economic development Hope Point represents,” wrote Dante Bellini, a spokesman for Fane. “We will have more to say next week.”
Other reaction came quickly from various points, with legislative leaders urging the council to override the veto. It is not clear if the council members who approved the zoning change have the votes for that.
In a joint message, House Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello and Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio described the project as a major private investment in the capital city, and said they were disappointed the mayor “has chosen to stand in the way of progress for our capital city.”
“We encourage the City Council to override this veto as soon as possible,” they said.
The Providence Preservation Society, which has mounted a months-long campaign against the tower as inappropriate development, was elated.
In a tweet, the nonprofit said: “THANK YOU Mayor Elorza!” In a lengthier statement, the organization’s executive director said Elorza had exercised great leadership.
“The Providence Preservation Society and all of the coalition members that have been speaking out against this short-sighted and destructive zoning change wholeheartedly thank Mayor Elorza for putting the city’s interests above the interest of one developer,” Brent Runyon wrote. “Mayor Elorza has exercised great leadership throughout this process and the people of Providence thank him for doing the right thing to protect the character and reputation of our great city.”
Mary MacDonald is a staff writer for the PBN. Contact her at macdonald@pbn.com.
As I have heard repeatedly on all fronts, it is amateur hour in City Hall. A more accurate name for the Mayor of Providence now circulating in knowledgeable circles – E-loser!
What a stupid man. Arrogant and just stupid. Final design say is built in the law not the developer. City council will override they need the tax revenue.
I am extremely disappointed in Mayor Elieza’s poor judgement and lack of foresight. He has foresaken the future of Providence and all the residents of Providence.
All the mayor is interested in is being a sanctuary city. He continues to show his lack of foresight in a project
that will benefit the city and its already overtaxed citizens…he should have been voted out of office. If they fail to override his veto no developer going forward will have any confidence that Providence is a city to do business with!