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Preservation Committee
By David Kelleher, Chairman
The East Providence Historic Properties Study and Designation Commission has begun the task of investigating the possibility of an ordinance to help preserve historic properties in the city. With the help of the Planning Department and Preserve Rhode Island, the members are looking at documents from other communities which are dealing with saving their properties. The city of Pawtucket seems to have a good ordinance and the members are looking into how the plan is working there.
Another area of study is the possibility of establishing a historic district for the Phillipsdale Area, especially Roger Williams Avenue which has a large concentration of historic buildings. A meeting will be held with some of the residents of that area to discuss the possibility of a historic district and see if there is interest among them for such a project. The meeting will be held at the Grace Chapel on April 20 at 6:30 pm.
A report from the state preservation commission was sent to Citizens Union Bank concerning the 18th century house at 325 North Broadway. The report stated that the house did have elements that prove it to be of the 18th century and that it and the barn and the canoe building were of significant historical value and an important part of the history of the area. Due to certain federal regulations for banks and historic properties, this report "may" interfere with the proposed use of the property by the bank.
Progress continues with contractors for the restoration of the Weaver House on Grove Avenue. The restoration will begin this Spring.
Discussion will continue with the future of the Brown Williams Cottage at Hunts Mills. The cottage has been boarded up and since many of the surrounding trees and bushes have been removed, the cottage stands out more and its boarded up condition is not a pleasant sight to see.
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