Architecture Here and There

(Illustrations: Above, at center, just left of the Industrial Trust, is the One Ten Westminster condo project, to make way for which the Providence National Bank building was (mostly) demolished in December 2005; below top, the Westminster Street end of the bank just prior to demolition; below bottom, the Weybosset Street facade that remains. Both designed by Howe & Church, and built in 1929 and 1950 respectively. All photos in this blog entry courtesy of Art In Ruins web site.)

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The Downcity Design Review Committee delayed action on a request to demolish the remaining facade, on Weybosset Street, of the Providence National Bank building. According to a report by Providence Journal staff writer Philip Marcelo, "at least three of the four" members of the committee who attended the meeting expessed doubt about the need for demolition - which the owner argued was required because deterioration had turned the facade (supported by a steel scaffolding) into a safety hazard.

"[Committee] Vice Chairman Clark Schoettle," Marcelo wrote, "agreed with opponents that the [the owner] had failed to maintain the facade. He noted that the committee had granted the developer permission to demolish the [building] only on condition that the facade remained. 'This seems like demolition by neglect,' he said."

Schoettle is director of the Revolving Fund of the Providence Preservation Society.

I had not realized that the owner - Jeremiah O'Connor III - was also a member of the DDRC. He recused himself from the decision to table a vote on demolition until next month. He was asked to get an assessment of the facade by a structural engineer.

The story confirmed that O'Connor wants to turn the site into a parking lot.

Last week I wrote a letter to the Providence Preservation Society asking whether it intended to oppose demolition. The reply was indeterminate. However, it appears that PPS must have stood tall at the DDRC meeting on Monday.

 Tags  Clark Schoettle Downcity Design Review Committee Providence National Bank Providence Preservation Society Providence RI

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