If you live in Ward 4, the Charles Street and Wanskuck area, or the North End of Providence, the brand-new North End Neighborhood Association is seeking your participation! Several open organizing meetings have been held so far to determine interest. The next meeting is on Saturday, May 18, at 9am at the Wanskuck Community Library, 233 Veazie Street. The next steps are to engage a facilitator, establish by-laws, devise a mission statement, and select a board and officers. All residents of the North End are invited to attend and contribute to establish this new association.
In collaboration with Bradford Associates and the City of Providence, Mile of History Association (MoHA) has established design specifications for the restoration of tree wells, which should be four by six feet, lined with Belgium block edging, and filled with loam and stone fines. Where possible, original materials should be reused and original sidewalk paving re-laid, and asphalt is not approved in the historic area. For links to detailed specifications and a list of City-approved contractors, visit MileOfHistory.org/initiatives.
The City of Providence is in the process of the once-in-a-decade update to the Comprehensive Plan, which establishes the vision for land use and development for the next 10 years. The draft plan is currently under review, and MoHA encourages neighbors to review it by visiting ProvidenceRI.gov/comp-plan.
Neighbors may know that two Fox Point chefs have been named semifinalists by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef in the Northeast – but they may not know how enthusiastic other local business owners are to see their peers receive this recognition. Maria Meza, who advanced as a Beard finalist, brings Mexican dishes from the Mixteca region of Puebla and Oaxaca to her restaurant, Dolores, on Hope Street. “They have the best mezcal selection in town. And the moles at Dolores are incredible,” says Vin Scorziello, co-owner of nearby Campus Fine Wines, in reference to the artisanal Mexican agave distillates that make up the restaurant’s signature cocktails. Scorziello received prestigious recognition in 2022, when Campus Fine Wines was listed as one of the best wine shops in the US by Wine Enthusiast magazine. “It is so exciting to see some restaurants in Fox Point getting national attention.”
Also a Beard semifinalist in Fox Point, Jahunger chef Subat Dilmurat on Wickenden Street offers Uyghur cuisine, a unique style of Chinese cuisine. Dilmurat’s handmade noodles and dumplings have elicited rave responses from reviewers, neighbors, and local business owners. “How lucky are we to have a genuine Uyghur restaurant right in Fox Point!” says Mindy Britto, owner of Urban Thread, a consignment boutique on Brook Street. “I have never tasted food like this before. The service is friendly and welcoming. Everything about this restaurant is great.” Both Scorziello and Britto expressed their excitement, as business owners, to be part of the thriving community, and the news of the Beard nominations only heightens that feeling.
Things keep looking up in the Jewelry District – specifically, way up at 150 Richmond Street. On March 26, a key moment for the new Rhode Island State Health Laboratory building was celebrated with a classic “topping-off” ceremony. The I-beam destined for the highest point of the new building was signed by the workers on the job, as well as state and local officials. Following a long tradition in the construction industry, a pine tree was fastened to one end of the beam. Then, to cheers from attendees, the beam was hoisted into its place at the top of the steel framework for the seven-story lab building. Developed by Ancora L&G, the building will devote 80,000 square feet to the state lab. Another 120,000 square feet will be leased out, with Brown University as an anchor tenant.
The Jewelry District Association (JDA) March meeting saw the launch of a different kind of project: assembling an effort to ensure that the revision to the Providence Comprehensive Plan results in a better Jewelry District. As new development continues, it’s vital that the comp plan represents the best interests of property owners, residents, businesses, and institutions. JDA members will be participating in public sessions and work groups as the revision process unfolds in the months ahead.
A beloved event in the Elmwood neighborhood, each May, Louie Curran organizes a Plant Swap, where everyone is welcome to trade or take plant cuttings to beautify their homes, lawns, or community green spaces. This year, the Plant Swap will happen May 11, 10am-2pm, on the Knight Memorial Library lawn. Interested in lending a hand? Curran and Elmwood Neighborhood Association member Jennifer Dalton Vincent are seeking four volunteers to help make this year’s event the biggest and best yet. Email JenniferDaltonVincent@gmail.com for details.
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