Background
A 77 acre expansion of downtown Providence envisioned and planned in the late 1970's when Federal money became available to move the railroad tracks which had formed a barrier between the State House and downtown. It was established by the State enabling legislation in 1981 and by the City ordinance in 1982.
The original plan was completed by Skidmore, Owens and Merill in 1979 and has been updated periodically to tighten and refine the development concept and to reflect and accommodate changes such as the river relocation project.
The objectives are:To create new and marketable commercial land without demolishing existing downtown structures in order to attract major new users who might not otherwise locate in the Capital City.
To enhance vehicular access to the project area, the State House and downtown.
To create an ordered sense of public spaces. The District was intentionally created as a high density urban district where large contiguous structures would define the diversity of space.
To create a visual and physical linkage between downtown and the State House, emphasizing the radial views to the State House Dome.
Thank you to Deborah Melino-Wender, Executive Director, Capital Center Commission
