A chunk of Interstate 5 collapsed into the Skagit River near Mount Vernon on Thursday evening, dumping two vehicles into the icy waters and creating a gaping hole in Washington state’s major north-south artery.

Rescuers pulled three people with minor injuries from the water after the collapse, which authorities say began when a semitruck with an oversized load struck a steel beam at around 7 p.m.

That caused a massive piece of the northern side of the bridge to wobble, and then fall into the water, taking with it a gold pickup, its travel trailer and an orange SUV.

But actually, our infrastructure crisis is a myth…

→ Bloomberg: The Myth of the Falling Bridge

Maybe it’s going too far to say, “The U.S. is doing just fine, thank you very much.” The nation would benefit from reordering its infrastructure priorities — away from new highways, for example, where we are already overbuilt and usage is falling for the first extended period on record. And we’d do well to take advantage of low interest rates and idle construction resources to knock out all of our future infrastructure needs.

But the idea that the U.S. has an infrastructure crisis? No. A broad, permanent increase in spending is unwarranted.

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Read the rest of News & Notes (197 words)

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Post tags: Anthony Foxx, Bridges, Drunk Driving, DUI, Infrastructure, News & Notes, Seattle, Stimulus, USDOT

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The former executive director of Rhode Island’s Economic Development Corporation wants to build a biomass to renewable energy plant along Providence’s waterfront on Allens Avenue, but he said the city needs to commit to freezing commercial tax rates to make the project happen.

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Post tags: Allens Avenue, Economy, Environment, Jobs, Waterfront

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Fairies, lovers, officials, and a troupe of bumbling amateur actors – what more could one ask on a late spring evening? The play provides plenty of laughs, strange enchantments, ridiculous lovers’ quarrels and some of the sweetest (and most comical) words ever to flow from the pen of the master playwright.

TRIST Artistic Director Bob Colonna will be at the helm and is promising a fresh and funny look at the play, involving quite a bit of the downtown Providence atmosphere, ranging from local politicians to the plight and energy of the homeless.

This will be TRIST’s third outdoor production at Roger Williams National Memorial. Last year’s As You Like It and 2010′s King Henry VIII attracted record crowds nightly and A Midsummer Night’s Dream promises to do the same. You really don’t want to miss it!

Admission is free and patrons are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs or lawn chairs (some limited seating will be provided) and to come early and make use of the Memorial’s picnic tables for, perhaps, a dinner under the stars! The play is appropriate for children (though probably not for the youngest ones who may get a little tired and antsy). Indoor restrooms are provided in the Memorial’s visitor center.

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Read the rest of Shakespeare in the Park at Roger Williams National Memorial (187 words)

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Post tags: Events, Parks/Open Space, Roger Williams National Memorial

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Henry D. Sharpe House – 1928 &bull: Photo Rob Kesack courtesy of PPS

East Side Homes and Lofty Mill Spaces on Tour at the 34th Annual Festival of Historic Houses

Providence Preservation Society’s Signature Event This Year Highlights Prospect Street and Monohasset Mill

Providence, RI (April 18, 2013) – The Providence Preservation Society (PPS) present to the public an “insiders’ view of preservation” with their annual Festival of Historic Houses on June 7, 8, and 9, 2013. This signature PPS event is a special opportunity for visitors to explore the interiors of some of Providence’s most interesting homes and gardens, learn about the city’s historical building stock, and view firsthand the preservation efforts involved. This year, the event will showcase grand era houses on Prospect Street on the East Side, and converted lofts in the adaptive reuse live/work spaces at Monohasset Mill in the Valley district.

Begun 34 years ago to highlight the preservation efforts of Benefit Street, PPS’ Festival of Historic Houses celebrates Providence’s rich architectural history and progressive preservation efforts. This year, the Festival visits two distinct and juxtaposing neighborhoods in the City, offering visitors a broad view of the dynamic building stock throughout the area. “Providence’s diverse historic fabric – and range of preservation projects – is truly a highlight of our City. Choosing to showcase both Prospect Street for its grand private homes and Monohasset Mill for its beautiful live/work adaptation of our industrial past is a way we capture the full spectrum of preservation in Providence,” stated Arria Bilodeau, co-chair of the Festival’s planning committee.

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Read the rest of PPS Festival of Historic Homes – June 7-9, 2013 (412 words)

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Post tags: Eagle Square, East Side, Festival of Historic Homes, Monohasset Mill, Prospect Street, Providence Preservation Society, The Box Office, the Steel Yard

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Rare colour video of London in 1927.

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Post tags: 1927, Historic, London, Video

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This video was produced by the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau and is set to play in Hartford and Boston. Thoughts?

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Post tags: Advertising, Go Providence, Video

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Photo from Mayor Taveras’ Facebook Page

Las September, Providence had it’s first Cyclovía on Broad Street. At this morning’s Bike To Work Day, the Mayor announced an expanded list of Cyclovías in Providence for 2013.

City to hold three Cyclovías this summer

Speaking at this morning’s Bike to Work Day community celebration, Mayor Angel Taveras announced the city will host an expanded schedule of Providence Cyclovía events this summer.

“Cyclovía Providence will provide an opportunity for residents from every corner of the city to come together, exercise, have fun and enjoy all that Providence has to offer,” said Mayor Taveras.

Cyclovía is an international phenomenon that reportedly began in Bogotá, Colombia and has spread to cities across the globe, including New York City, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami and Cambridge, MA.

Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit planning organization, has described Cyclovía as a large-scale community building exercise that facilitates social interaction and activity between people of all ages, incomes, occupations, religions and races.

The City held its first Cyclovía in September 2012 on Broad Street. The 2013 Cyclovías will be expanded to the following dates and locations:

• Sunday, June 30 – Broad St. in Elmwood (between Thurbers Ave. and Prairie Ave.)
• Sunday, July 28 – Valley St. in Olneyville (between San Souci Dr. and Atwells Ave.)
• Saturday, September 14 – Hope St. in the East Side (between Lippitt Park and Rochambeau Ave.)

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Read the rest of Bike to Work Day: Mayor announces expanded Cyclovía program for 2013 (151 words)

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Post tags: Angel Taveras, Bicycles, Cyclovia, Recreation

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Read the rest of Bike to Work Day: RIPTA Rack n’ Ride (0 words)

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Post tags: Bicycles, Bike to Work Day, RIPTA, Transportation

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Opening Session

• Call to Order
• Roll Call
• Approval of minutes from April 23, 2013 meeting – for action
• Director’s Report

City Council Referral

1. Referral 3362 – Petition for zone change from R-2 to M-1 at 230 Carolina Ave. Petition to rezone the property at 230 Carolina Ave from R-2 to M-1 subject to the use of the property being restricted to parking – for action (AP 58 lots 704-724, 726 and 730, Washington Park)

2. Referral 3363 – An ordinance in amendment of the Downtown Providence Renewal Official Redevelopment Plan Review of the amendment, which proposes acquisition and redevelopment of the building at 94 Washington Street, for conformance with the Comprehensive Plan – for action (AP 25 Lot 354, Downtown)

The “Narrow Building“

3. Referral 3364 – Petition to abandon a portion of Beach Ave. Petition to abandon the portion of Beach Ave along the eastern edge of the property at AP 17 Lot 416 – for action (Fox Point)

Beach Avenue appears to be a paper street which runs along the Seekonk Riverfront from the Gano Street off-ramp from 195 to Fremont Street. Lot 416 sits along Gano Street between the off-ramp and East Transit Street. The existence of that street would allow for public access to the water.

Minor Land Development Project

4. Case No. 13-014 MI – 207 Waterman Street (Preliminary Plan Stage) The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing building to construct a four story (50 feet), 30 unit multifamily development on a lot measuring approximately 11,677 SF. The applicant is proposing to provide 23 internal parking spaces, 45 are required. The development will require dimensional relief from height, parking and density requirements – for action (AP 14 Lot 516, Wayland)

Adjournment

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Post tags: Abandonment, City Plan Commission, CPC, Demolition, Downcity, Eminent Domain, Fox Point, Government, Narrow Building, Parking, Proposal, Streets, Washington Park, Washington Street, Waterfront, Waterman Streets, Wayland, Zoning

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For the May Geek Dinner, we may have the perfect Providence startup story!

When his 2-year-old son was diagnosed with diabetes, former jewelry industry executive Angelo Pitassi Jr. started learning about medical alert bracelets. He was unimpressed to say the least. In short order, Angelo partnered with technologist Christopher Melo, and HealthID was born.

Today the Jewelry District-based startup is poised at the intersection of the jewelry business and healthcare technology, and is accepting pre-orders for its first product — HealthID Profile (or “HIP”) Bands. HIP enables first responders to pull up critical, in-depth, current health information from NFC-based bands onto a web/mobile interface. The wearer can also manage all aspects of their personal health scenario while on the go.

On Wednesday, the Co-Founders CEO Angelo Pitassi Jr. and CTO Christopher Melo will tell the HealthID story, demonstrate their HIP product and give a sneak peek of where they’re headed next.

• Providence Geeks

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Post tags: Events, Technology

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