1. The Revitalization of Providence
The Capitol Center Plan and its Impact on Providence

2. Providence Pre-WW2 Major industrial city, 2nd largest in New England
economy based on textile, manufacturing and jewelry.
Active port
Downtown economically healthy, with numerous shops and business offices

3. 50’s to 70’s The suburban movement Population shifted to suburbs
1950 central cities 57% of metropolitan area residents and 70% of metropolitan area job
1990 central cities 37% of residents and 45% of jobs
Population shifted to suburbs
Providence population decrined 40% (100,000 residents) between
City center industries left for cheaper locations
Lots of vacant buildings downtown
Collapse of commercial district
Loss of tax base causes city center to become run down and unattractive, further exacerbating the problem

4. 70’s First plans for city revitalization begin
Spurred by election of Mayor Ciccerelli
Several competing plans drawn up to change downtown providence, with the capitol center project finally being selected
At this time the city center continues to decline
The state judicial court moves out
2 major department stores leave

5. 80’s Capitol center project begins
Rerouting of railroad track, driving much of them underground
Increase in office buildings downtown, tax incentives offered to get companies to move in.
Major hotels (Westin) built or refurbish old building
The Wanaskitucket river is rerouted, large bridges removed and open space on river way created
Old rail hub converted to bus hub.
Arts district started, cultural festival (riverfire) increase

7. 90’s Capitol center project continues
Focus sifts more towards commercial and residential buildings
Providence place mall
More hotels
High rise apartments start to be built (upper – middle income housing)
Area now much more attractive, value of land increases

8. 2000’s Continued building on reclaimed railroad land
Building mostly residential (commute to Boston)
Conversion of old industrial buildings to commercial uses begins on west side of city center.

9. Was The Capitol Center Project good for providence
Questions to ask
Is the city center more attractive?
Is the capitol and historic downtown more connected?
Are there more jobs?
Has the affluence of the residents increased?
Has the tax base increased?
Is there a renewed pride in Providence?
Are the adjoining neighborhoods enjoying benefits from the project (trickle down economics).

11. Affect on Low Income Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods (particularly south and west of city center) have actually struggled since the capitol project began
Increases in poverty and unemployment in these town
Money that could have gone to revitalize these areas has gone to downtown instead
Commercial business in downtown are to “high end” for these consumers
Trickle down theory has not worked as hoped.

13. Is this changing?
The industrial corridor in west providence is changing land use, from industrial to commercial
This increases appearance of area
Creates new jobs
Restaurant boom in west providence
Ground level up projects have become more powerful in improving infrastructure
Wanaskatukit watershed council, for example