A.T. Cross chooses Ray-Ban executive as chief
LINCOLN – David G. Whalen, 41, former head of Ray-Ban Sun Optics North American unit, has been chosen by A.T. Cross to be its president and chief executive. Whalen is the first non-Boss family member to lead the company. He will succeed Russell A. Boss, who announced in April that he planned to step down. Boss will remain with the company as chairman of the board, succeeding his brother, Ronald R. Boss, who will become chairman emeritus. Whalen will also join the board of directors which is losing Andries van Dam, a Brown University professor, although the company announced that van Dam, a noted computer expert, will continue to give the company his “advice and consultation.”
Coastal barrier bill named for Chafee
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legislation dating to 1982 redesigning the coastal barrier resource system has been renamed for the late Senator John H. Chafee and approved by the Senate. A copy of the redesigned bill was presented to his son Sen. Lincoln Chafee who was appointed by Gov. Lincoln Almond to serve in his father’s place for the approximately 90 day interim period until an election can be held to fill the vacancy. The bill was introduced by Sen. Bob Smith, R-NH, after Sen. John Chafee’s recent death and passed by the Senate on Nov. 4
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Public safety complex bond issue approved
PROVIDENCE – Mayor Vincent A. Cianci has urged the Providence Redevelopment Authority to approve passage of a $67 million bond issue for construction of a proposed public safety complex on Federal Hill. The authority approved the bond issue at its meeting Nov. 9. The proposal calls for construction of a three-story, 129,000 square foot complex that would include the office of public safety, police and fire headquarters, municipal court, a 520 car parking garage as well as on site parking for 60 cars. Mayor Cianci hopes that demolition for the site could begin this winter if the PRA approves the bond issue. The developers, Bernard, David and Richard Wasserman and Vincent Mesolella Jr. are also planning to build a new 340-suite hotel on the site of the present fire-police headquarters on LaSalle Square.
City council, mayor propose ethics unit
PROVIDENCE – The City Council and Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. were near agreement at press time on establishing a special unit to investigate city government for possible corruption and make recommendations for prosecution. The unit that would be called the Ethics and Public Integrity Division would also have an educational mission to teach municipal employees about ethical conduct in government along with possible conflicts of interest and other unacceptable behavior. Details about the structure and numbers of members and method of appointments were still being worked out.
EPA formally proposes Superfund site
NORTH PROVIDENCE – The Environmental Protection Agency has formally proposed that areas of the Woonasquatucket River in North Providence be designated a Superfund site. The areas have been found to be heavily contaminated with toxic pollutants, dioxins, PCBs and volatile organic compounds, possibly linked to a barrel recycling company that was located in nearby Centredale. Designation of the site for Superfund status would make it eligible for federal cleanup funds. The EPA has already taken steps to restrict the spread of the contamination by ordering capping and sealing of the areas and posting of “No Fishing” signs along that area of the river. Designation of the area for Superfund status has been approved by state and local officials. EPA’s formal proposal triggers a 60-day public comment period.
Mesa Systems wins contract with Lockheed
WARWICK – Mesa Systems Guild has announced a six-year contract with Lockheed Martin Management and Data Systems to provide Intranet product development tools. A Mesa spokesperson said the Lockheed contract, along with other contacts with Ericsson Communications and Lucent Technologies will result in the doubling of its employees to about 60 by the end of next year.
Development plan for brewery site announced
CRANSTON – Developers of the former Narragansett Brewery site announced a plan that would combine office and retail development with recreation. The 77-acre site at Cranston Street and Route 10 has been dormant since 1981 when the brewery closed. This latest proposal by First Hartford Realty of Manchester, Conn. and Paolino Properties of Providence comes with a $70 million estimated price tag. The developers say they hope to close on the property by next March with construction starting in the spring of 2001. As illustrated in the announcement the developers propose an office park on the Cranston Street end of the property that was cleared of the brewery buildings by S&P Corp., the trust that owns the land. In the middle of the property is Tongue Pond that would be developed for recreation, including bike and foot trails, an “executive” three-hole golf course, wooded landscaping and fountain sprinklers in the pond. The largest segment of the property at the southern end shows space for a major anchor retail store, a secondary retail building, a supermarket, smaller retail stores and several restaurants, all with adjacent parking. Still in question is the former trolley barn across Cranston Street but linked to the property by a tunnel beneath the street
