The Fox Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) and local merchants spent the summer months organizing a coordinated campaign to oppose a six-story development proposed for 269 Wickenden Street, at the corner of Wickenden and Brook streets. While the building proposal received initial approval with conditions at a four-hour August meeting of the City Plan Commission, neighbors have since redoubled their efforts to fight it into the fall months and beyond.
“We can’t let Wickenden go the way of Thayer Street,” one neighbor commented at a recent meeting, naming several chain stores that have replaced small businesses on that street. Others agreed, saying that the proposed building on Wickenden Street could function as a tipping point. Neighbors argued that the proposal, at six stories and 64 residential units, would dwarf the current streetscape, cause problems with parking and deliveries, cripple local businesses, and destroy neighborhood character, while opening the door to similar developments in the area. Since the units would be rented at market rates, neighbors contended that any claims that this development would make the neighborhood more affordable are false and misleading.
FPNA leaders were clear about their stance. “We don’t oppose all development,” said interim president Lily Bogosian. “We support smart developments that conform to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which is why we are opposing this one.”
The Summit Neighborhood Association (SNA) is gearing up for their annual Fall Cook-Off, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 26 at Three Sisters on Hope Street. All are invited to attend and submit their favorite fall-themed dish to the competition; this year’s featured ingredient is pumpkin. Attendees will vote on their favorites, and winners will receive fun prizes donated by local shops and merchants. SNA encourages the little ones (and adults, if they are so inclined) to come dressed in their Halloween finest. Stay tuned for more details on their Facebook page and website.
SNA vice president Emily Kloeblen is working with the city to get an additional 20 or more trees planted around the Summit neighborhood this month. Neighbors are welcome to participate in the planting process or request trees. SNA continues to support the new Your Neighborhood Food Pantry at 533 Branch Avenue by helping to coordinate volunteers, as well as soliciting donations of non-perishable food items. Neighbors also assist the Mount Hope Community Center with their work distributing groceries every Friday to residents in need. To volunteer for any of these initiatives, those interested can email SNAProv@gmail.com or to get involved at Your Neighborhood Food Pantry, YNFP22@gmail.com.
Internationally touring chamber music group The Jerusalem Quartet makes a stop in Providence on Tuesday, October 3 at 7:30pm for a carefully curated program of pieces selected from centuries of string music. Featuring three works that vary dramatically in style and origin, the concert at the McVinney Auditorium opens with Joseph Haydn’s String Quartet Opus 76, No. 6, composed in 1797; followed by a piece by Israeli composer Paul Ben-Haim written in 1937; and lastly a piece written by Dimitri Shostakovich in 1944.
First violinist Alexander Pavlovsky explains, “The string quartet repertoire is amazing and endless. One life is too short to explore it all. From the beginning, we have tried to cover as much as we can, from the very first opuses of ‘Papa’ Haydn to the modern music of the 20th and 21st centuries, including opuses written especially for us. Our feeling is that the public also finds this variety successful and entertaining.”
After the concert, audience members will be treated to refreshments, with a chance to meet the members of the Jerusalem Quartet. Tickets may be purchased at the Rhode Island Chamber Music Concerts (RICMC.org) website, at the concert door, or by calling 401-863-2416.
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