COMPLETE: GTECH Center

[provid]

That is correct.

From what I understand, the Westin Tower is to have a concrete frame.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[kinematix]

If I were to guess, the structure is now about 4-5 times bigger than when Cotuit took the pictures posted above. It'd be cool to take a picture each day (or at least on days where obvious structure is added) from the same spot to document the progress and make a timelapse slideshow. If I only had a camera...

[Cotuit]

It'd be cool to take a picture each day (or at least on days where obvious structure is added) from the same spot to document the progress and make a timelapse slideshow. If I only had a camera...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, I'll take some pictures after work, actually I'm having a very annoying day at work, maybe I'll take a walk down there now. It would be cool dto have the time lapse thing, but I really don't have it in me to try to match the position and settings each time I take a picture.

[Cotuit]

I took some more pics at lunch. Unfortunately the workers were on lunch at the same time so there was no activity happenning when I was there. I was hoping to get a pic of the crane lifting something. Oh well.

[Recchia]

On the bus today, about five people were complaining about GTECH and the Waterplace Condos being built. They were saying "it's supposed to be Waterplace PARK, not condos!" It took all I had not to tell them to shut up... Apparently some people think huge piles of dirt and overgrown grass downtown is better than buildings...

[Cotuit]

"it's supposed to be Waterplace PARK, not condos!"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Aside from WaterFire nights, Waterplace Park is mostly devoid of human activity. If any of these whiners actually spent anytime in the park, they'd have something to complain about, but they don't so they should shut up.

[provid]

I can agree to that.

[Recchia]

If any of these whiners actually spent anytime in the park, they'd have something to complain about, but they don't so they should shut up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They were all stupid East Greenwich housewives anyway, in fact I was surprised they had JOBS and were taking TRANSIT to them.

I'll never understand how anyone could think that MORE buildings in a CITY is bad. Plus its not like those two parcels were beautiful vibrant parks, they were vacant trash pits.

[Garris]

Again, this is a phenomenon I don't fully understand. There are a lot of people, many of whom actually live in cities, who don't like cities and have a very suburban mindset.

This was a huge problem where I lived before, in Rochester, Minnesota (pop of about 80,000). My theory was many of the people living in and around Rochester were from tiny, small town, bumble-f*** Minnesota and were drawn there for school or work. They often wished Rochester were more like their home town of 800 than a city of 80,000.

I think we have the same problem here. Many of our denizens probably grew up in suburbs, and while drawn to Providence for a myriad of reasons, it's easier to take a person out the 'burbs than take the 'burbs out of the person. Some residual suburban sensibility remains.

My girlfriend is even a good example. She's from a college town in Western Mass, and while she loves Providence's neighborhoods (which are about as urban feeling as the Main St in the town she came from), she's not as crazy about the "canyon-like" Downcity. Even when living in bigger cities (Boston, Newark), she always lived in Wayland Sq like fringes. She's also somewhat against building height as well, so I'm fighting this battle at home too . An environmentalist, I'm trying to convince her that density is more environmentally friendly (somewhat unsuccessfully so far).

Also, I think the planners made a big mistake calling Waterplace a "park" rather than a "walk." The park name, plus years of greening, has lead people to the eronious impression that intended green space is being taken away from the public and being given to developers. I've heard things referred to in this fashion by many people. I've corrected them, saying that the building was intended all along. So, Recchia, don't hesitate to correct the folks on the bus!

- Garris

PS: Out of curiosity, what type of settings are we all from? I bet few of us are actually from cities. Myself, I'm from a town of about 8,000 total (county 70,000) in NY's Hudson Valley that's "sub-rural" (my term... A rustic, woodsy area that's becoming more suburban). The rest of you?

[Cotuit]

Also, I think the planners made a big mistake calling Waterplace a "park" rather than a "walk."  The park name, plus years of greening, has lead people to the eronious impression that intended green space is being taken away from the public and being given to developers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a problem with the Westin Tower site too. It was made into a temporary park while waiting for the market to allow it to be developed, no some are crying foul that a green space is being taken. None of these people crying foul ever utilized the greenspace, no one takes into account that we have Burnside Park a stones throw away, no they just cry foul about a small patch of grass surrounded by speeding traffic that no one spends any quality time in, and brings no revenue to the city.

Same thing with that old woman at Providence 2020 that was all worried about parcel 12 being taken because it is "such a lovely park"

[Cotuit]

PS: Out of curiosity, what type of settings are we all from?  I bet few of us are actually from cities.  Myself, I'm from a town of about 8,000 total (county 70,000) in NY's Hudson Valley that's "sub-rural" (my term...  A rustic, woodsy area that's becoming more suburban).  The rest of you?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Care to make a thread out of this question in the main Providence section?

[Recchia]

We have Burnside and Station Park both downtown, I think thats enough. Station Park needs an overhaul though, it looks like the GTECH site before construction started. I think the city has a plan for Station Park with sculptures and walkways, anybody heard this?

[Cotuit]

I think the city has a plan for Station Park with sculptures and walkways, anybody heard this?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I haven't heard anything, but I hope it's true. I would have liked to have seen some of the trees from the Westin placed at the south side of Station Park along Finance Way, but that didn't happen.

Eventually we'll have Ship Street Landing along the river as a Downtown park as well. Memorial Park along the river is a nice place Downtown. If we ever get a building on the parking lot at Union Station that courtyard outside Brewed Awakenings and the Capital Grill will become a much nicer area. Captial Cove is supposed to extend the riverwalk north along Canal Street to Smith Street. Roger Williams Memorial Park is a nice downtown park. LaSalle Square is supposed to be improved, people may actually use the open space in front of Blue Cross if it's done right. There's the pocket park infront of the Hotel Providence on Westminster that should get more use as more people inhabit Downcity. Somesort of greenspace is likely to be developed in the Jewelry District as part of the 195 Relocation project. Cathedral Square will be better used as open space if we ever get Westminster pushed back through.

[EPBOY]

I'll never understand how anyone could think that MORE buildings in a CITY is bad.  Plus its not like those two parcels were beautiful vibrant parks, they were vacant trash pits.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It's part of the old Rhode Island self defeatest mind set, where nothing new is good.

When they were proposing to build the Mall, the number of people who predicted its inevitable failure was amazing. "Who would come to Providence to shop? Why would I pay to park at a mall when I can park for free in Warwick" yada yada yada....

Of course they were wrong, but the negativism still lingers in pockets. Luckily, it's nowhere near as pervasive as it used to be.

[Frankie811]

It's part of the old Rhode Island self defeatest mind set, where nothing new is good. 

When they were proposing to build the Mall, the number of people who predicted its inevitable failure was amazing.  "Who would come to Providence to shop?  Why would I pay to park at a mall when I can park for free in Warwick"  yada yada yada....   

Of course they were wrong, but the negativism still lingers in pockets.  Luckily, it's nowhere near as pervasive as it used to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

YOUR ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, EPBOY!!!!!!!!!! I was just about to post the same thing. In this state of cheap people, some walk around saying we don't need this and we don't need that. We never were a progressive state, untill lately.

[CtownMikey]

my dad is one of those cheap fellows!!

Maybe cotuit should become governor of r.i. or something so he can build the entire state sky high and charge for parking everywhere

[Cotuit]

Maybe cotuit should become governor of r.i. or something so he can build the entire state sky high and charge for parking everywhere

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You wouldn't want me in charge of parking fees, ask the people I work with.

[Garris]

Same thing with that old woman at Providence 2020 that was all worried about parcel 12 being taken because it is "such a lovely park" 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yup... I think people see the art on that space and again assume it is some city park. I also think a lot of people confuse the Capitol Cove land for the Roger Williams Memorial Park across the street...

- Garris

[Garris]

It's part of the old Rhode Island self defeatest mind set, where nothing new is good. 

When they were proposing to build the Mall, the number of people who predicted its inevitable failure was amazing.  "Who would come to Providence to shop?  Why would I pay to park at a mall when I can park for free in Warwick"  yada yada yada....   

Of course they were wrong, but the negativism still lingers in pockets.  Luckily, it's nowhere near as pervasive as it used to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I didn't think this was real until recently. I've met lots of folks from all over RI who are still shocked at the idea that anyone would go to Providence for anything... I know a guy in his 30's who lives in Boston and is from North Kingston who says that, still, whenever his family in N. Kingston wants, "a great meal or a good show" they go to NYC (!!!???!!!). When I suggested PPAC, Federal Hill, etc, etc, he almost laughed... I asked why not at least Boston or New Haven? He gave me this knowing, "give me a break" look. Amazing, huh? That attitude is also why all the suburbs in an hour radius from NYC will always suck...

- Garris

[Frankie811]

I didn't think this was real until recently.  I've met lots of folks from all over RI who are still shocked at the idea that anyone would go to Providence for anything...  I know a guy in his 30's who lives in Boston and is from North Kingston who says that, still, whenever his family in N. Kingston wants, "a great meal or a good show" they go to NYC (!!!???!!!).  When I suggested PPAC, Federal Hill, etc, etc, he almost laughed...  I asked why not at least Boston or New Haven?  He gave me this knowing, "give me a break" look.  Amazing, huh?  That attitude is also why all the suburbs in an hour radius from NYC will always suck...

- Garris

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This dosen't surprise me. Most of the folks I work with refuse to go downtown. Then again I work with a bunch of narrow-minded blue collar red neck boneheads which there are many in this state. I remember a story in the journal about an art gallery owner From Bristol I think who had pictures of Providence in his shop. His customers wanted to know where this beautiful city was.

[EPBOY]

This dosen't surprise me. Most of the folks I work with refuse to go downtown. Then again I work with a bunch of narrow-minded blue collar red neck boneheads which there are many in this state. I remember a story in the journal about an art gallery owner From Bristol I think who had pictures of Providence in his shop. His customers wanted to know where this beautiful city was.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's very very funny (and sad). About half the people I work with are from the Bristol, Warren, Somerset areas. Most have yet to enter the mall, and the thought of "driving to the city" is overwhelming to them.

[Recchia]

This dosen't surprise me. Most of the folks I work with refuse to go downtown.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sounds like umm, lets see, every person I've ever met from South County... when i was forced to work in Wakefield for a summer, I met people who never even went north of Wickford. Going to the bar meant going to Ocean Mist in Matunuck. On the other hand I know lots of baby boomers that grew up in Providence and refuse to see that it has changed drastically since they lived there, and therefore refuse to ever go downtown and experience it (my parents being some of them). I always hear things like "oh Providence is too congested", well isnt that a good thing? ITS A CITY! And its not overly congested, just their trip to downcity via 95 is congested. Well too bad, you wanted to live in the suburbs so deal with the traffic that you helped create by decentralizing yourself in the first place.

[billypc99]

EPBOY, you bring up a good point about what some said before the mall was built. However, over time the mindset had changed somewhat. Beleive or not the mindset had changed before the mall was built. Remember the public sentiment before and just after convention center was built? Naysayers were out in full force.

[Cotuit]

The suburbs are much more congested than Providence. Take a ride oin Route 1 or Route 2, or any route for that matter.

[EPBOY]

EPBOY, you bring up a good point about what some said before the mall was built.  However, over time the mindset had changed somewhat.  Beleive or not the mindset had changed before the mall was built.  Remember the public sentiment before and just after convention center was built?  Naysayers were out in full force.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I remember!! And you are definatly right.

All thoses cinics predicted that the convention center would not only fail, but was really an excuse for the State to build a casino behind the peoples back. Remember the rumour that it was really designed as a casino and was built with an extreme number of power outlets (supposedly to support all the slot machines).