General News

Hillside Health building still in limbo

John Smithers and neighbors near the former Hillside Health Center continue to monitor the bankruptcy court process that will determine whether and when the facility can be sold and re-developed.

This week John spoke with Attorney Rick Land of the receiver, Winograd, Shine & Zacks, P.C. and learned the following:

1) The Hillside Center has not been sold;More…

2) The unconditional offer (no use specified) from Davenport is the offer that is presently before the Court;

a) The original Davenport bid was for 3.2 million dollars, it was never acted upon because of the Suburban Mortgage issue;

3) Davenport and other bidders do not have to indicate their intended use, if zoning variances are required for their proposed business model then they are required to go before the Zoning Board for those variances, this would typically occur AFTER the sale (thus the “unconditional” bids);

a) Previously other Nursing Home operators were interested but one cannot speculate as to their current level of interest nor their desire to compete with the Davenport bid;

4) Instead of the Hearing scheduled for May 1st the Judge will hold a Conference with the Receiver (Winograd, Shine & Zacks, P.C.);

a) During which the Judge will hear the Receiver’s recommendation to solicit bids for the property;

b) Attorney Land suspects this will result in an auction type setting at a later date where all bidders will openly compete for acquisition of the property;

John will speak with Attorney Land on May 2nd to learn the outcomes of the Conference and provide an update.

By SNA Admin, ago

January crime report for Summit

The Summit Neighborhood Association checked-in recently with Lt. Sciavulli of our Community Police Station—District 8 to learn if there were any trends or recent concerns  for which we should be alert.
Following the [despicable] tire slashing at the end of December, crime appears to have moderated in January in sub-district 8-3 (largely the Summit area) with two exceptions: There were three robberies. Two of these robberies were at the Hess gas station, allegedly by the same person. This person was arrested. Additionally there were 10 larcenies from motor vehicles (these occur on the street and in driveways) as pocket-change and electronic devices out in the open entice the criminals.
Here is the Providence Police crime report for Subdistrict 8-3 for January 1 through January 28: (more…)

By SNA Admin, ago

Carriage House offers dance, theater for your kids

Everett Dance Theatre’s Carriage House School announces its class offerings for the 2006-2007 season, for youth aged 6 and above. Classes range from improvisational acting, hip hop dance, ballet, and Polynesian dance. We also offer a performing arts mentorship program, with training in writing, film making, acting, and special projects. Classes are taught by the professional artists of Everett Dance Theatre, a nationally acclaimed multimedia performing arts company now celebrating it’s twentieth anniversary in Providence.

Admission is on an ongoing basis, with classes beginning September 11. All classes are $10 a piece, with reduced prices available for low-income families. No serious student is turned away for lack of funds. The Carriage House is located at 7 Duncan Avenue, Providence RI, just off North Main Street.

NOTE: The Carriage House is a lovely and surprising little theater tucked behind some North Main businesses. Please support this neighborhood arts resource!

Please follow the link for schedule information: (more…)

By SNA Admin, ago

Keep car items out of sight, police advise

This Tuesday, Sept. 5, James Kelley spoke with Lt. Schiavulli of our Community Police Station–District 8 on behalf of Summit Neighborhood Association to learn if there are any trends or recent concerns that may need extra precautions for which we should be alert. Jim will continue to be SNA’s contact for news from District 8, which you will see posted here and in Summit News from time to time.

There are three parts of Police District 8, which ranges from the Pawtucket line to Olney St, and from Blackstone Blvd. to Interstate Route 95 http://www.providencepolice.com/stats/mapbook/8.pdf

Despite a shooting on Pleasant St., District 8 remains a low crime area of the city. Year-to-date, through September 5, violent crime is down 50%, property crime is down 49%, and all other crime is down 18%. Noteworthy is that the rash “break and grab” from motor vehicles is down significantly. The Lieutenant. hopes that people are heeding the advice to keep items left in cars out of plain view. This is particularly important as we approach the holiday season.

Please follow the link for detailed neighborhood crime data for the last month and year to date. (more…)

By SNA Admin, ago

Zoning Board says “no” to second driveway

The Providence Zoning Board of Review refused to grant a variance to build a second driveway at a house at 170-174 Fourth Street on August 22. SNA argued against the variance, the second parking-related variance requested and refused for this property in the last year. Former SNA Board member Bonnie Robison mobilized neighbors to oppose the variance. Two neighbors spoke at the hearing and 14 more expressed opposition by letter or petition. (more…)

By SNA Admin, ago

Neighbors form committee on Hillside property

More than 40 residents attended an SNA-sponsored meeting on the future of the former Hillside Health Center between Chace and Hillside Avenues on August 10. The nursing home entered bankruptcy in 2003 and was forced to close its doors in June of 2004. Neighbors are concerned about how future use of the property will help or harm the neighborhood.

At the meeting, neighbors formed a new, SNA-affiliated working committee, chaired by John Smithers of Hillside Ave, to represent neighborhood interests in the re-development of the large complex. The new committee will monitor developments at Hillside, including current court cases and future regulatory proceedings, keep neighbors informed and aware and advocate for re-using the Hillside buildings in ways that are most appropriate to our residential neighborhood.

To learn more about the committee or to share information about the Hillside Health Center, please contact John Smithers: (401) 751-2505 or by email: john.smithers@cox.net.

Read the full notes of the Hillside Committee meetings here. (more…)

By SNA Admin, ago

Picture a Better Providence

As part of the Providence Tomorrow planning process, city officials have asked residents to say what they like and what they would like to change about our city. Pictures can tell the story better than words, so they also want to see your pictures of the good and the not-so-good.

We think this is a great idea. We encourage you to share your pictures of the city with city officials. We also encourage you to share them with your neighbors – to spur discussion, generate enthusiasm for the planning process, and share different perspectives.

We’re using Flickr to collect pictures of things we like about the city and things we think could be improved. Using Flickr, you can:

  • Comment on and discuss photos
  • Annotate photos
  • Tag photos on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis

If you have a Flickr account (it’s free), simply tag your pictures as “pvd_tmrw_good” or “pvd_tmrw_bad”.

SNA is also providing an easy way to submit pictures using email. Simply email one picture at a time to one of the following addresses:

  • pvd_tmrw_good@sna.providence.ri.us
  • pvd_tmrw_bad@sna.providence.ri.us

Include the Title of the photo as the subject line, and some identifying information in the body of the email. You can even use your cameraphone to send pictures to these email addresses.

You can view the photos and discuss the Providence Tomorrow photos here:

By sna, ago

Providence Center acquires Brick Manor

The Providence Center, which helps adults, children and adolescents who are affected by mental health difficulties, is in the process of acquiring and taking over operation of  the Brick Manor, an asslsted living residence for elderly people and disabled adults at 29 Ninth Street (between Highland and North Main Street). Brick Manor has been family-owned and operated for some time. Neighbor Amy Harrington met with Providence Center Director, Dale K. Klatzker, Ph.D., to discuss the changeover on July 20.

Amy says Brick Manor has been a good neighbor over the years and that residents, some of whom have mental disorders, have been good neighbors for the most part, too. She has a few concerns about tossed cigarette butts, employee parking, general upkeep and late night noise as staff leave or get picked up. Dr. Klatzker told Amy that certain regulations will mean that six fewer people will be living there, but that neighbors should see very few differences. Dr. Klatzker has named Joe Bennet to be the manager of the Ninth Street facility. Amy will check back with Mr. Bennet in a couple of weeks after he takes over as manager.
By SNA Admin, ago