Procaccianti condo tower gets key OK

The Providence Zoning Board of Review has approved variances that will allow The Procaccianti Group to build a 12-story residential condominium building called METROLofts at Washington Street and Service Road No. 7, on the edge of Federal Hill.
The zoning code limits building heights at that location to 45 feet, but Procaccianti’s plans call for a 165-foot-tall structure. Neighbors including Councilor John J. Lombardi had objected, saying the condos wouldn’t fit with the surrounding area.
The city Department of Planning and Development recommended conditional approval of the variances, and the Zoning Board voted 4 to 1 to follow that advice.
The site of the planned development is across from the Providence Public Safety Complex. The building is to include 94 condos, retail space and a health club, and have two floors of underground parking with 80 total spaces. The parcel, now a private parking lot, is owned by John Ready Jr. and is valued at $158,400, according to the city assessor’s office.
The Zoning Board is also requiring the developer to seek final design approval for the project. •