Stop Lifespan!
Lifespan plans to build a huge, six-story, industrial-style building
at Miriam Hospital, in our one- and two-family residential neighborhood.
It will rise on the site of two smaller buildings, a one-story building
and the two-story Koffler Research Center, which will be
demolished. The building that replaces them over the next ten years
will rise higher than any other building on campus and will tower over
the Summit Neighborhood.
We call on Lifespan to declare a voluntary one-year moratorium on all
building construction on Summit Avenue and all adjoining properties.
| | Historic aerial views tell the story. |
Another Round
Summit residents have watched Miriam Hospital's
growth over fifty years, as it devoured
homes, a street and a school, and increased traffic, parking
congestion, litter and noise. Now it plans to embark on another round
of expansion!
Where will it end?
Miriam has built on 100% of its
institutionally-zoned property. To expand,
it must destroy small buildings and build bigger ones. But what
happens when it has built to the maximum height? After
tens of millions of dollars have been invested, and it again needs
more space, how will it grow?
How You Can Help
We cannot do this alone. We need your help. Write a letter,
send an email, sign our
petition, volunteer to help with the
campaign.
We need your
help now!
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And what happens to our property values and our quality of life as
Lifespan constructs an enormous, heavy-breathing physical plant on
our otherwise quiet,
tree-lined streets?
Moratorium Now!
Lifespan must reconsider its plans. It must engage in a real
dialogue with neighbors and city officials. It must not build
this building.
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| | The Koffler building will be demolished |
SNA Position on Miriam Construction
The following statement was adopted unanimously by the SNA Board
on March 11, 2003:
- Lifespan should declare a voluntary one-year moratorium on new
construction at the Miriam site on Summit Avenue and all adjoining
properties.
- Lifespan should adopt the same "do no harm" principle in regard
to construction and other institutional initiatives in the Summit
neighborhood that Lifespan doctors apply to their medical practices. This
means no additional construction within the neighborhood and no expansion
of operations or capacity that further detract from the residential
character of the neighborhood.
- Lifespan should develop its neglected properties on North Main Street,
the former Sears store and an empty lot across the street, which have
become public nuisances under its ownership.
- Lifespan should engage in an ongoing and public dialogue on development
plans with Miriam's neighbors and their elected officials to chart the
future of its Summit Avenue and North Main Street properties.
- The City of Providence must develop and apply "neighborhoods first"
planning policies and zoning legislation in our neighborhood, starting
with the complete reform of the current "Institutional Zone" ordinance
and continuing with measures to restore the residential character of
the streets around Miriam Hospital.
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