Dear Neighbors –

We are currently planning a fabulous meeting for you in just a few weeks and we want to give you plenty of time to make your lovely selves available. Please shake free of all plans on Monday, November 3rd from 700-830pm for an amazing pre-election day meeting (we’re still confirming the locale).

Not only will we catch you up on all things downtown, but you’ll also be hearing from a very special guest speaker, George Born, Executive Director of the Providence Preservation Society. We’re really thrilled to have him attend and talk to us about the potential, possibilities, and challenges we face in our beloved and beautiful downtown.

I’ll be sending an agenda soon but wanted you all prepped and ready to get back the DNA loop. You won’t believe what we’ve been up to…

Best,

Kim
Secretary
Downtown Neighborhood Alliance

Check out what the Projo had to say.

http://www.projo.com/ri/providence/content/MC_Nightclub_Training_10-03-08_9ABQ8CV_v12.1612eaf.html

I Spy….A PartyThat’s right, dear neighbors. Not a fundraiser. Not a meeting. Not Amway. Just a party to say thanks for all your support this year. And it’s totally worth canceling your vacation for, I swear.

Please join us Thursday, August 28th at Tazza for our very cool Secret Agent Party. Why a Secret Agent Party you ask? Because Movies on the Block is showing “Goldfinger” that night and we’ll be darting outside to partake when it begins. That’s right, a party AND a movie. In the best neighborhood around. You’re welcome.

Here are the details, if you do indeed choose to accept this mission:

– Thursday, August 28th, 6pm-when the movie begins (830ish)
– @ Tazza, 250 Westminster Street
– Free entrance, free snacks, cash bar and more
– Favorite spyware encouraged

We hope to see you all there on the 28th – and please make sure you’re not followed…

Best,
Kim Snow
Secretary
DNA
Codename: Blizard

A quick memo in the format of a stream of consciousness…

I came across this article and it really identified my sincere outlook on the downtown area of the city and how it should be incorporated into the Grant’s Block space.

It is the last (2) paragraphs in the PBN Article (see webjumper below) that partially encompass the comments I have been voicing for sometime now regarding my opinion on how the “Grant’s Block” location should be developed for downtown Providence.
…Green space…pockets of green space that will act as an anchor and will bring a sense of more security to those venturing from the East Side and/or out of town Suburbia’…imagine how much more conducive functions like Sound Session, Movies on the Block, etc would be if the ENTIRE grounds @ Grant’s Block were eventually landscaped and not an unfinished surface and/or another building for parking. Landscaped completely with tree lined walkways surrounding the space, a central water fountain, plaques, kiosks, benches, a political location to host speeches / public address, etc. – This type of element enriches a city and it’s immediate residential / commercial community as well as people who visit…it’s a place to relax with your ice coffee and lunch from Tazza, sit with your friends, read a book, RISD can host drawing / lecture classes, philharmonic can play…a multitude of functions / events…I’ve always envisioned Grant’s Block to be or have the opportunity to be the “Bryant Park” (NY) of Providence, RI.

A smaller scaled condensed city like that of Downtown Providence needs to utilize a space like this to provide breathing room and to remain open… green space brings a less claustrophobic feel and lower intimidation factor than if a theoretical building were to be erected.

As a long term resident of downtown and the credentials from my professional background it’s really imperative a green space be considered and implemented.

http://www.pbn.com/private/adba8655a1.html

Joshua Cullion
President DNA

PROVIDENCE — Sidewalk cracks that have long vexed residents and patrons of Downtown, Federal Hill and West End neighborhoods will finally be fixed over the next few months, Councilman John J. Lombardi announced.
The Downtown Neighborhood Alliance and the West Broadway Neighborhood Association helped to identify the problem areas. The sidewalk work is funded through the neighborhood improvement bond and the Community Development Block Grant program.

check out this link to the Projo for the full story.
http://www.projo.com/ri/providence/content/MC_SIDEWALKS_07-10-08_9EAQD2G_v8.411894b.html

Councilman John Lombardi, Ward 13, received money for infrastructure repairs and contacted the DNA to see if he could help our neighborhood regarding sidewalk repair. Josh and Maria went out on a scouting mission (thanks guys!) and found NUMEROUS sidewalk problem areas to focus on in the 13th Ward.

As we all know, Downtown is one BIG sidewalk repair project. With the help of the Department of Public Works, Councilman Lombardi, Josh Cullion and DNA advisor Maria Ruggieri, we are all doing what we can to make a visible impact on the streets.

We thank Councilman Lombardi for the amazing help and confidence he has in our group. He asks that everyone reach out to him directly with concerns, ideas or questions. He can be reached at the City Council Office, City of Providence by calling 401-421-7740.

For a copy of the proposed areas of repair contact the DNA.

The DNA officers met in person with the DID and the Mayor to present and discuss our 2008 goals. We arrived at these goals based on resident feedback. Read 2008 Goals Letter:

Since 2003, the Downtown Neighborhood Alliance has been empowering downtown residents with a formal voice regarding issues and opportunities in their neighborhood. To date, we have:

• Facilitated the launch of the DID and the Responsible Hospitality Committee (now the Hospitality Resource Partnership)
• Donated funds to the Farmer’s Market, DID, Crossroads, PICA, The Black Rep, local events and other neighborhood groups
• Championed the beautification of downtown through such endeavors as Windows Downtown
• Pushed for smarter parking, better use of empty space and the addition of more late-night police support
• Supported the timely demolition of the abandoned Police and Fire Station
• Hosted three very successful fundraisers that earned us over $10,000 to put toward our city

Now, in 2008, we’re working harder than ever to collaborate with merchants, developers and city officials to focus our efforts on the issues most important to the people who live here. When asked, residents provided the following feedback that we, and now you, can help answer, address and act upon this year:
SAFETY

• Safety in general, and for all, day and night
• A consistent and greater police presence especially during evening hours
• Better street lighting
• Construction zones that offer better alternate pedestrian walkways

RETAIL

• More diverse retail and ethnic cuisine options
• Need-based stores, like a grocery and pharmacy
• Better blending of retail with residential space
• Larger (or more established) downtown retailers to help draw foot traffic to smaller, independently-owned ones

QUALITY OF LIFE

• Reasonable control of noise/chaos from late-night entertainment
• More green space, parks/less surface parking lots
• Reasonable upkeep, maintenance and preservation of historic properties
• Address – and recharge – the stalled traffic circulator plans for the Dunk/Trinity area

We understand that many of these issues affect more than just residents. In fact, we’re looking to evolve our relationship with other area groups (e.g. late-night merchants and employees, tourists, students, etc.) to better approach and address such specific concerns as late-night and weekend safety.
Most importantly, we want to emphasize that we are not an organization that simply lists our complaints and hopes others will solve them for us. We’ll come to you with ideas, suggestions and open minds. We want to help you understand our neighborhood’s issues and where we see opportunities to collaborate to resolve them – we can’t do it alone.

As always, we thank you for your continued support of our efforts to make downtown Providence a successful place to live, work and visit. As this area becomes home to more and more people, we all need to listen to residents’ concerns and ideas so this neighborhood – our neighborhood – can reach its full potential.

Our most recent fundraiser, the 2007 Downtown Winter Warmer, was a great success. Hosted at Bravo Brassiere with Honorary Chairperson, Michael Corrente, we were able to raise over $3000 toward our own annual operating costs as well as supporting local charity, PICA.

Overall we made a $3370 profit ($300 more than last year).

• $1500 in tickets sales

• $900 from the raffle

• $1100 from the live auction

We now have a total of $4623. 60 in our account. Thanks for all the hard work everyone.

Other event details included:

• Free entry into door prize raffle

• One complimentary glass of red/white wine or soda

• Delicious festive fare

• Fabulous entertainment provided by DJ Nick de Paris

• A chance to support a downtown charity, PICA, this holiday season

• A live auction with our Honorary Chairperson Mr. Michael Corrente for A Day Behind the Scenes FOR TWO

• Five (5) amazing raffle packages featuring Celtics and PC tickets, a guided backstage tour of Trinity Rep, a John Cougar Mellencamp concert and much more.