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Reconstructing Providence: Adaptive Reuse, Urban Revitalization, & Neighborhood Change

From Robin Amer | 00:49:32
Producers: Robin Amer

 Credit:
Artists vs. developers vs. the city. The adaptive reuse of historic mill buildings in Providence, and all the controversy that's come with it.

There are over two hundred and fifty old mill buildings in Providence, left over from the city's days as an industrial powerhouse. In recent years, renovation and adaptive reuse of the mills has sparked intense debate, revolving around the city's efforts to revitalize the neighborhoods, and the need for artists' space in a city and region that promotes the arts. It is also a battle over gentrification, about who controls change in a city that's changing fast. In the next few years, some of the mills will be converted into retail and condominiums, some will be demolished to make way for new construction, some will be reused by artists, non-profits, and small businesses, and some will burn down. Reconstructing Providence is a documentary about the adaptive reuse of the city's mill buildings...and all the controversy that's come with it. Originally performed before a live audience at AS220, Providence, RI, May 10,2004. Originally broadcast on WRNI's Focus Rhode Island, August 20, 2004. Hide full description

There are over two hundred and fifty old mill buildings in Providence, left over from the city's days as an industrial powerhouse. In recent years, renovation and adaptive reuse of the mills has sparked intense debate, revolving around the city's efforts to revitalize the neighborhoods, and the need for artists' space in a city and region that promotes the arts. It is also a battle over gentrification, about who controls change in a city that's changing fast. In the next few years, some of the mills will be converted into retail and condominiums, some will be demolished to make way for new construction, some will be reused by...
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Review of Reconstructing Providence: Adaptive Reuse, Urban Revitalizat

A news-y topic that's not treated by one. The score is wonderful but at times abruptly comes in or cuts off. Other than that I like this quite a bit. Another crappy story about artists working to build a community and a city tearing it down in a fit of greed. Plenty of Brian Chippendale (Lightning Bolt) standing up in community meetings to deplore the rising costs of these new Providence art spaces. More than any producer I've heard in a while, Robin talks to the listener in a conversational tone that doesn't sound canned, just telling a story -- she's learned how to write for her voice. Highly recommended.

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Review of Reconstructing Providence: Adaptive Reuse, Urban Revitalizat

The producer takes a complicated, potentially dry topic and delivers a fine treatment. There’s lively audio, an interesting original score, and fast-moving, cogent narrative. Piece wisely focuses on two neighborhoods, giving us time to get to know at least a few protagonists and get a real sense of place and of the issues involved. Unhappy artists fearing eviction from illegally occupied mill live/work space tail a building department guy as he inspects: “This place will go up like a matchstick.” The artists’ want affordable, flexible housing, the city wants to keep them alive, especially after the horrific Station nightclub fire. A group of developers want to raze the mills and build a super market, preservationists want to preserve the industrial heritage of the city. Other developers plan for adaptive reuse of industrial buildings in a neighborhood of immigrants who fear being forced out by the gentrification wave that inevitably follows artists. While sympathetic to the artists’ point of view, the lens ranges wide. Although this is about Providence, the issue exists in any urban setting –– affordable housing is scarce all over the country. Conveniently in two parts so could run as short series. Glad to see a talented young producer tackle this kind of subject.

Broadcast History

Originally broadcast on WRNI Providence, on Focus Rhode Island, August 20th, 2004.

Transcript

RECONSTRUCTING PROVIDENCE:
ADAPTIVE REUSE, URBAN REVITALIZATION & NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE

Written & produced by Robin Amer
Edited by Paul McCarthy & Jim Moses
Original music by Alec K. Redfearn

HOST: If you walk around Providence, you can’t help notice the giant red brick buildings scattered though most of the neighborhoods. With their distinctive smokestacks and eight-foot tall windows, these are the city’s mill buildings - former textile mills or jewelry factories, once the economic engines of the city.

All together, there are nearly two-hundred and fifty old mills in Providence, left over from the city’s days as an industrial powerhouse. But since industry left Providence for points south and then overseas, those buildings that weren’t reoccupied by artists or small businesses fell into disrepair, or, in worse case scenario, burned down. For this reason, the city saw them as eyesores...
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Musical Works

("Forcefield," Lightning Bolt, the Power of Salad (DVD), Load Records, 2003, ~15 seconds)