Some day they will complete the I-Way construction project, and India Point Park will be more accessible again. But what will the view be at the waterfront when the dust settles?
Friends of India Point Park urge all interested Providence residents and Rhode Islanders to voice their views at some or all of the waterfront charrette sessions being held at Johnson & Wales University June 9-12, 2008. The sessions are also listed in What Grows On in Rhode Island, the state's most comprehensive environmental calendar. FIPP writes:
Next week's citywide waterfront charette is a crucial chance to speak out about waterfront public space and the future of the city's greatest natural asset. PLEASE COME!
WHEN: Mon-Thurs, June 9-12, day & evening sessions.
[Final Schedule Waterfront Charrette, June 9-12, 2008]
Most important session: TUES, June 10, 2-4pm on waterfront public use.
Other workshops important for public space issues:
-- evening sessions, 6-9pm, on consultant's four scenarios for the waterfront
-- Tues, 11:30-1:30: examples of waterfront mixed uses in other cities
-- Wed, 2-4: revenues from the waterfrontWHERE: Johnson & Wales Harborside Campus, 265 Harborside Blvd in Fields Point. [Directions]
WHY: Broad public support is essential to creating a public Gateway at the head of the Bay.
WHO: All interested citizens are welcome. Pick & choose sessions you want to attend.
THE VISION: The Shooters site offers a golden opportunity to create a public destination that will benefit the city and region for generations to come. Its unique advantages include:
- Geographic: the intersection of interstate highways, major bike paths, and riverfront greenways at a deepwater port half a mile from the Jewelry District and downtown Providence.
- Historic: Our city's 300-year maritime tradition can be revitalized with a recreational boating center, in tandem with keeping the working waterfront on Allens Avenue.
- Economic: A Bay-front destination will encourage tourism and full use of India Point Park for festivals, concerts, and regattas that bring millions of dollars to other mid-size cities.
- Scenic: Sweeping views down the Bay attract visitors and residents, and generate real estate values as far into the city as views of the Bay can be seen.
PUBLIC SUPPORT: Two indications of broad public support for our vision:
1 The priorities_charts filled out by participants at the Fox Pt neighborhood charrette, May 8. The item with the most dots reads, "Encourage the development of the former Shooters site for public use."
The two items with the next highest number of dots call for 1) keeping any development of the Brown warehouses next to the Radisson Hotel low enough to preserve water views from I-195, and 2) connecting a pedestrian way from Blackstone Park around India Point to the Providence River.
2 - PROJO ARTICLE excerpt about turnout urging public use of the Shooters site at the charrette, May 7.
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