Brown’s Plan to Demolish 5 Historic Houses Draws Opposition from Providence Preservation Society

The Providence Preservation Society (PPS) is opposing Brown University’s plan to demolish five structures dating from 1849 to 1885, in the College Hill National Historic Landmark District.

They are holding a meeting for those who wish to protest the demolition on Tuesday, December 19 at 4:45 p.m. The meeting will be held at 44 Westminister Street.

The buildings would be replaced by a new performing arts center between Waterman and Angell Streets.

The five structures include:

Norwood/Benjamin Stevens House- 82 Waterman

a house at 86 Waterman

Leonard M. Blodgett House- 127 Angell

Edward J. Cushing House- 129 Angell

Lucien Sharp Carriage House- 135 Angell, home to Brown's Urban Environmental Lab (UEL) for nearly 40 years.

The Providence Preservation Society said in a statement:

“PPS fully appreciates Brown's undertaking of a state-of-the-art performance space that will serve the university and community at large. However, respecting the characteristics of the College Hill neighborhood along the Waterman/Angell corridor is important to the entire community. The demolition of these contributing buildings erodes the "Brown Scale" and streetscape, as well as defies the University's commitment to sustainability.

PPS remains opposed to the continual erosion of historical buildings on College Hill. By our count, more than two dozen historic structures were demolished between 1995 and 2015: Some for new facilities, including Brown's new engineering and life sciences buildings, and others for parking.”

The PPS is urging those opposed Brown's latest plan to attend the Providence City Plan Commission meeting on Tuesday afternoon at 4:45 p.m., at 444 Westminster Street downtown.

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