Issue No. 266  l   November 13, 2008   l   Providence, Rhode Island

 

Mayor Cicilline & AS220 Announce Incubator Partnership With MIT
Public technology laboratory planned for downtown Providence

Mayor David N. Cicilline this week announced the City’s partnership with AS220 and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in creating an innovative public technology workshop in downtown Providence. AS220 Labs will make Providence one of 20 sites worldwide to host a fabrication laboratory – commonly called a Fab Lab – developed by MIT. Fab Labs provide training and public access to technology and equipment that enable anyone to design on a computer and instantly build new products and inventions.

Some of MIT's Fab Labs have been established in inner-city Boston, rural India, South Africa, and the north of Norway. Projects being developed and produced in Fab Labs include solar and wind-powered turbines, thin-client computers and wireless data networks, analytical instrumentation for agriculture and health care, custom housing, and rapid prototyping of machines.

Brown University, RISD and Johnson & Wales University also are engaged in discussion with AS220 Labs about future collaborations.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Providence to build upon its knowledge economy and its reputation as an emerging, world-class location,” said Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline. “Through the Providence Economic Development Partnership, we were able to provide $1.6 million to advance the Mercantile Block development, for creating much-needed artist work-and live-space in the heart of downtown.  Seeing the commitment of MIT to endorse this effort and our other outstanding universities and colleges to bring this incubator space to fruition, is immensely gratifying.”

AS220 Labs, which is currently housed with its youth program in the organization's Empire Street complex, will relocate to AS220's Mercantile Block building, after the development project is complete in 2010. The Mercantile is the third - and largest - building in downtown that AS220 will have rehabilitated and transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use complex serving artists and the community.

“We are very excited about the development of AS220 Labs – most importantly because of the institutional partnerships that are developing around the project,” said Umberto Crenca, founder and artistic director of AS220. “Mayor Cicilline and the City of Providence have once again stepped up to support AS220's latest initiative. AS220 Labs will be a unique, dynamic and accessible resource for the city and the entire state of Rhode Island.”

The Providence Fab Lab – housed at AS220 Labs and one of 20 worldwide – will offer a networked group of industrial-grade fabrication and electronics tools developed as the educational outreach program of the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms (CBA). The Providence Fab Lab's equipment and training will enable entrepreneurs, inventors, young people and the general public to envision new products and take them from the drawing board to the micro-business stage.

“The prospect of having AS220's extended community join the Fab Lab network is exciting,”said Neil Gershenfeld, director of the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms. “Providence Fab Lab will be positioned to attract a range of users, from inventive children to entrepreneurial alumni of local colleges. The AS220 team and its partners are positioned to help this vibrant community take full advantage of the network's capabilities.”

“This is a powerful partnership that brings research, design and education together to inspire innovation,” said Clyde Briant, Brown University's vice president for research. “As a partner in the overall effort to grow our knowledge-based economy in Providence and Rhode Island, Brown is pleased to be part of this entrepreneurial and forward-looking collaboration that reaches across institutional and disciplinary boundaries.”

“Always an innovator, AS220 has again taken the first steps in uniting the knowledge-based community in Providence,” said Francis X. Tweedie, dean of the Johnson & Wales University School of Technology. “The Providence Fab Lab – and its associated studios – will offer a unique venue for our students to advance their creative technology practice and further collaborate with Rhode Island's vibrant creative community.”

“At RISD, the faculty and students are continually exploring new ways to approach and think through how things are conceived and made, and how they live in the world,” said RISD Provost Jessie Shefrin.  “The establishment of a Fab Lab in Providence is exciting for the whole community and offers an amazing opportunity to investigate ideas that challenge the interface between art, design and technology in new and unexpected ways.”

“We are excited by the opportunity to have a Fab Lab in Providence,” said James V. DeRentis, chief business officer at Bank Rhode Island, and a member of the AS220 Labs Advisory Group. “AS220 is once again on the cutting edge in helping to grow our creative economy.”

Founded in 1985, AS220 is a nationally renowned nonprofit organization of artists, designers, makers and innovators engaging thousands of people each month in arts, technology and education opportunities and programs. It operates a youth resource center, a performance stage, four visual art galleries, two darkrooms, a community print shop, and provides 40 artists affordable residential and work studios. AS220 also incubates other nonprofits in the start-up stage, and has provided affordable space, acted as fiscal agent and given technical assistance to a handful of organizations that have gone on to become celebrated contributors to Providence's community and economy.
 

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Apply for Neighborhood Street Trees by December 1st
And don’t forget that the Trees 2020 Campaign is still accepting applications for trees on private property

 

The Providence Neighborhood Planting Program (PNPP), the street tree planting and maintenance partnership between the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Endowment, the City of Providence and the residents of Providence, is extending their deadline to Monday, December 1st for applications to plant neighborhood trees in the Spring of 2009.  
To receive street trees through the Neighborhood Street Tree Planting Award, neighborhoods should have:
- A volunteer to organize a Neighborhood Street Tree Planting Award application.
- At least five properties that each need at least one tree (minimum request is 5 trees) within an area of one to three city blocks.
- Permission from each property owner to plant each tree requested.
- A promise from each property owner or tenant to help plant their tree on planting day, water weekly and weed regularly.

PNPP especially encourages the following neighborhoods that are most in need of street trees to apply: Elmwood, Smith Hill, Federal Hill, Valley, Olneyville, Washington Park
Reservoir, West End, and Upper and Lower South Providence.

Applications can be downloaded at: www.pnpp.org.  For more information, email street_trees at pnpp.org or call 401-351-6440 x13.

In addition, the Trees 2020 campaign is still accepting applications for their Homeowner Tree Purchase Program geared towards private property owners who want trees planted in their property.  Individuals can also make a tax-deductible donation to a gift a tree.  The application and more information can be found at http://trees2020.org/get-involved.php.

Since 1988, The Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Tree Endowment has matched Providence Parks Department funds to provide sidewalk preparation, new soil, trees, and tree delivery at no cost to Providence residents who apply and receive a Neighborhood Street Tree Planting Award.  Trees 2020 is an initiative launched by Mayor Cicilline and the Parks Department’s Forestry Division with the goal to plant and care for 40,000 new trees across Providence's 25 neighborhoods over the next 12 years. 

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Providence Police District One Awarded for Outstanding Work
The Jewelry District Association honor Lt. Michael Figueiredo and all District One Officers at annual meeting

Lieutenant Michael Figueiredo and District One Police Officers of the Providence Police Department were honored Tuesday night for their efforts on behalf of the Jewelry District. District One, the Downtown area, is known for its number of night clubs, which can be cause for chaos, especially at club closing time.  Through their efforts and for the positive impact of the nightclub details on busy club nights, District One Providence Police Officers have helped in reducing fights, to quiet the streets, to eliminate underage drinking, and to reduce crime & graffiti. The Jewelry District Association shows its appreciation by awarding District One, under Lt. Figueiredo’s leadership, for significantly improving the quality of life in the District. 

“We thank them, and the nightclub patrol, for their dedication,” said Richard Jaffe, outgoing President of the JDA, who presented the award to Figueiredo. “We look forward to the continued collaboration with Lt. Figueiredo & District One that will foster a healthy mixed-use neighborhood - one with residents, businesses, institutions, and nightclubs co-existing in a vibrant & responsible community.”

Also in attendance was Major Paul Fitzgerald, Commanding Officer of the Uniform Division, and District One Patrol Officers. 

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Providence Housing Authority receives Perfect Score from HUD

 

The Providence Housing Authority (PHA) announced today that it has received a perfect score of 100 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the management of its citywide Section 8 housing choice voucher program for the sixth consecutive year.  PHA Executive Director Stephen O’Rourke stated that “this achievement is even more satisfying when one considers the cataclysmic upheaval that has occurred within our local housing market.  A number of Section 8 voucher holders have been victimized by landlord foreclosures, but we have remained pro-active in mitigating the impact of these dislocations and maintaining our impressive service levels.”    

HUD’s scoring system uses fourteen performance measures to evaluate the administration of Section 8 programs nationwide.  Key indicators include proper selection of applicants, determining reasonable rents for each unit participating in the program, timely annual housing quality inspections, prompt correction of housing deficiencies, and success in enrolling voucher recipients in family self-sufficiency programs.    Donna DeLaRosa, the PHA’s Director of Leased Housing stated that, “in my opinion, the most important score a housing authority can receive is from the residents who receive shelter assistance from us.  In our case, more than 81 % of voucher recipients surveyed were satisfied with the way they were treated by our staff, and 86 % of landlords participating in the survey felt the same way.  Eighty-percent rated the performance of our inspectors good to excellent.”  

HUD conducts its annual assessment program remotely by utilizing its national tenant database as well as information from independent audits.  Each housing authority is assigned an overall performance rating of high, standard, or troubled.  Bonus points can be given to a public housing agency that encourages voucher families to locate housing in low poverty areas.  This is the sixth year that the PHA has maintained a 100 score or higher.  

Recently, the Providence Housing Authority has embarked on an initiative to create homeownership opportunities for a limited number of voucher holders.  Last year, a PHA-sponsored Homeownership Workshop drew sixty-three participants and resulted in five new single-family homeowners.   “Our straight “A” report card from HUD offers deserved recognition for the hard work of our Section 8 management team and their staff.  Our voucher families are the ultimate beneficiaries of their commitment to quality service,” said O’Rourke. 

Established in 1939, the Providence Housing Authority owns and manages 2,606 units of public housing and is contract administrator for approximately 2,500 units of Section 8 housing.   Approximately 58 % of its housing stock is designated for families with the remainder reserved for elderly and/or disabled individuals or families.  To learn more about the PHA and its programs go to www.pha-providence.com.
    

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Mayor Cicilline Launches 6th Annual Coat Drive
Clean, warm clothing, boots & blankets urgently needed; collection bins in public buildings beginning November 3rd

 

 

Mayor David N. Cicilline called upon all city workers, residents and businesses to take part in the Mayor’s Annual Coat Drive, to help Rhode Islanders in need.   

“Our community shows its greatness in times of crisis,” said Mayor Cicilline.  “This year will be a particularly difficult time for our families and homeless.  Now, as we face the bitter cold winter months, we need to look out for our neighbors.”

People are asked to donate new or gently used and clean winter clothing, in marked collection bins in city buildings.  The garments collected will be given to Crossroads Rhode Island and the Homeless People's Action Committee, for distribution to those whom they serve.

The Mayor said the organizations expressed a particularly urgent need for new or clean, gently used (oversized) winter coats, hats, gloves/ mittens, boots, heavy socks and blankets for adults and children.  There is also a critical need for personal care items such as shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, shaving goods and feminine hygiene products.  As of November 3, the items may be dropped in the marked bins at the following City buildings:  Department of Public Works, Department of Planning & Development, City Hall, Building Inspector’s office, Public Safety Complex and the Providence School Department.   Collections will continue to take place throughout the winter months.

Mayor Cicilline initiated the annual coat drive in January 2003, in response to a cold snap that left many low-income and homeless families and individuals in distress.  For more information, contact 401.351.4300 extension 627.

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Feature: My Business

Nanda’s Interiors Bring Hope to Life

The life-sized scale of our neighborhood business districts sets Providence apart from other capital cities where big box stores are the norm. For neighbors like Nanda Head, for example, who has already begun decorating her home for the holidays, there’s no reason for her or her clients to hit the strip mall for new furnishing or décor.  That’s thanks to her new business on Hope Street, Nanda’s Interiors. It’s a show-stopper, exquisitely decorated and adorned with one-of-a-kind fabrics and furnishings that are sure to inspire shoppers to give their own homes a little more pizzazz.

An interior designer by trade, Head recently opened her storefront shop this past May, after years of searching for the perfect location to settle.  Now that she’s landed, Head is certainly staking claim in her new neighborhood and taking an active part in the shaping of Hope Street’s first working merchants association.  She gives City News a peek into the interior of her new neighborhood business.

 

How long have you been in business in Providence?
I opened this business in May 2008, but I’ve been in the business for eight years.  I worked out of my home for eight years and then I decided to expand here to Providence. 

Do you have an interior design background?
This just sort of fell on my lap! I’ve always been doing it just off the cuff.  It’s in my blood and runs through my veins, I say that all the time.  The ability to put things together for people has gotten me to where I am. 

How did your career as an interior designer and entrepreneur begin?
I’ve traveled quite a bit with my husband’s career.  In each neighborhood, I always did a little bit of interior design but we relocated so often that I really wasn’t able to ground my feet.  We would build a house and then three months later, we’d be on our way to build another one.  So I was always in the interior design business but it wasn’t until I got back to New England, which is my home, when I really started to focus on my business and make it what it is today. 

I’ve been in this area for eight years.  It just grew and grew.  I’ve never advertised.  I’ve been doing business by referral only.  I finally decided to expand here because I have clients in Blackstone, and I also have clients in South County.  I felt like this was a nice general location.  I love Hope Street.  I’m always in and out so I thought this was a great location for me. 

What is your design philosophy? What makes Nanda Interiors unique?
I think a good designer needs to be someone who conforms themselves to the client’s taste and not their own.  I don’t always project what I would put in my home.  I project what I think the client’s style is and then I bring new things in that they would never think of.  So this has always been a key strength for me and should be for any designer.

I think what makes me unique is that I try to stay affordable with my consultation fees, that’s where we’ve always gotten new business.  We’re realistic with the client’s budget.  I always keep that in mind.  These things – conforming to the client’s taste, affordability and working within the client’s budget – have been huge for me. 

What are some of the most important skills you have to possess in order to be successful in this business?
I think being organized is key and having the ability to put things together for people and being realistic.  But you must be organized, and you have to have the eye and drive to do it and do it well.  I keep up with design trends and I’m in and out of the Boston Design Center.  I’m a stickler about getting my reps in here to give me new fabrics every six months.  If they’re not in here the old fabrics with the new ones, I don’t work with them.  The last thing I want to see after having done a custom fabric for a client, is for them see their fabric at some fabric place, or some retail store.  So that is definitely something I stay on top of.

What do you specialize in?
I do mostly residential and some commercial.  A big percentage of my business is window treatments, but I also do furniture placement, color consultation, shopping consultation – I do all of those things. 

Is there a particular Providence “look” or design that is most sought out by your clients in terms of having a professional decorate their homes?
You know I think being in New England, it’s a very traditional place, and so I get a lot of traditional-style needs as far as decorating is concerned.  

So what does your home look like?
I love it! I get a lot of compliments.  I do a big Fourth of July bash there every year and everyone wants to walk through the house to see what it looks like. I think they feel like they can remember something, take it home and do it.  

I change the look of the house all the time.  It’s just what I do!  I like to think that my home is very comfortable and beautiful.  Let’s just put it this way – I’ve sold seven houses throughout my life and none of them have been in the market for more than two months.  So I think they’ve shown well and I like to think that they’re beautiful.

What do you like most about doing business in Providence?
I love Providence.  Rhode Island is where I spent most of my time growing up.  For me, it’s home.  In and out of Providence I’ve always been, which is why I chose to locate my business here.  I just love Providence! I do everything here – my doctor’s here, I shop here.  It’s just a great area for me to plant my feet. 

You’ve actually received some business assistance from the planning department.  Tell us about it.  How has this helped your business?
Amintha Cinnotti at Planning has just been wonderful and she’s really assisted us here at Hope Street as a merchants association. When I first came to the street, there was no such association.  There had been failed attempts before.  Looking around doing what I do, I realized that the street just needed to be improved aesthetically.  I contacted Amintha and she came right down to meet with me.  She’s given us so much help.   

We want to make Hope Street a shopping destination and improve business.  The City granted us some funds that we plan on using to beautify Hope Street.  The funds we hope to use to get some new trash barrels on the street, plantings, and so on. 

The merchant association is also starting to get organized.  We had three monthly meetings and we’ve laid out lots of plans for the street.  We have not elected positions yet although we will soon, as soon as we get more organized.  It’s been very productive and the City has been wonderful. 

So what is the best thing about Hope Street? What makes is special?
Hope Street is a fantastic place with a bunch of merchants who really care.  It has so much traffic and so much potential.  We have some fantastic shops that just opened up here on the street.  You’ll notice that there aren’t very many shops that are vacant.  We have a lot of new things to offer now.  It’s not the old Hope Street.  We’ve got shoe stores, accessory stores, interior design, decorating – all kinds of stuff going on.  I think it’s a great little shopping area. 

What’s next?
I’m looking forward to increasing my volume of business.  I’ve hired someone as a result of the growth I’ve experienced since I’ve been here on Hope.  I also look forward to making this area another Federal Hill, honestly, or another Wayland Square, maybe better.  This is another great place in Providence where people should come to shop and I definitely plan to be here for many years to come. 

For more information on Nanda’s Interiors, call 401-429-6012 or email nanda@nandainteriors.com.  Walk-ins are welcome at 782 Hope Street.  Nanda is around from 10 to 3, Tuesdays through Saturdays, with extended hours for the holidays.

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