Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island facts for kids
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Downtown Providence Historic District
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 Location in Providence
Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 90 acres (36 ha) |
| Built | 1800 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and early 20th century American movements, late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001967 (original) 07001081 (increase 1) 12000438 (increase 2) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1984 |
| Boundary increases | October 11, 2007 July 25, 2012 |
Downtown Providence is the main area for business, government, and culture in Providence, Rhode Island. It's like the heart of the city! This area is bordered by Canal Street and the Providence River to the east. Smith Street is to the north, and Interstate 95 is to the west. Henderson Street forms the southern border.
Most of Downtown Providence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical area.
Contents
History of Downtown Providence
Downtown Providence was first settled in 1746 by people looking for religious freedom. This early settlement was called "Weybossett Neck." It was located near what is now Westminster Street.
The area didn't grow much until the early 1800s. At that time, Providence started to become a rival to Newport, Rhode Island. Newport had been damaged during the American Revolutionary War. This gave Providence a chance to grow its businesses and become a major city.
Highways Change the City
Starting in 1956, big highways like Interstate 195 and Interstate 95 were built. These highways cut through many neighborhoods in Providence. Hundreds of homes and businesses were torn down. The highways also separated Downtown from other parts of the city.
Downtown Faces Challenges
In the 1960s and 1970s, Providence's population got smaller. Many people and businesses moved away from the city center. Downtown started to lose its appeal. People felt there wasn't enough parking, and most shopping moved to the suburbs.
In 1964, Westminster Street was turned into a walking-only street called "Westminster Mall." The idea was to make shopping downtown more fun. But it didn't attract shoppers away from the new malls in the suburbs. Eventually, the walking mall was removed, and cars were allowed back on the street.
How Downtown Was Rebuilt
For many years, a huge network of railroad tracks covered parts of Downtown. This created a "Chinese Wall" that separated the Rhode Island State House from the rest of the city. By 1980, fewer trains were using the tracks. City planners saw a chance to open up this land.
A smaller, new train station was built in 1986. Many old tracks were removed or put underground. This freed up a lot of land for new projects.
From 1975 to 1982, the city invested a lot of money to rebuild Downtown. Roads were removed, and the city's natural rivers were uncovered. A beautiful park called Waterplace Park was created in 1994. This park now hosts the popular WaterFire festivals. This new area near the Capitol became known as "Capitol Center."
Many new buildings were constructed, including hotels, offices, and the Providence Place Mall (1999). In 2007, the Renaissance Providence Hotel opened in the old Masonic Temple, which had been empty for a long time.
More recently, the relocation of Interstate 195 (called the "Iway" project) led to even more construction. This included the Michael S. Van Leesten Memorial Bridge and new buildings like Point 225.
People in Downtown Providence
Downtown Providence is a diverse place. Many different groups of people live and work here. The area has a mix of cultures and languages.
Universities in Downtown
Several universities have buildings and campuses in Downtown Providence:
- Brown University has bought properties nearby.
- Johnson & Wales University has its main campus here. It includes schools for business, technology, arts, science, and hospitality.
- The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has many facilities downtown. This includes its library and student housing.
- Roger Williams University has a small campus in Downtown.
- The University of Rhode Island's Feinstein Providence campus is also located downtown.
Sports in Downtown Providence
Sports fans can enjoy games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. This arena is home to the Providence Bruins, a professional hockey team. The Providence College Friars men's basketball team also plays their games here.
Arts and Culture
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Providence has become a well-known center for the arts. The "Downcity Arts District" is a big part of this. WaterFire is a famous art event created by Barnaby Evans. It features bonfires on the river, gondolas, and music. It attracts many visitors.
The Downcity Arts District also has two important places for live performances:
AS220 is another special place. It's a non-profit arts center with studios for artists, galleries, and performance spaces. It also has a print shop, a lab for making things, and a free arts education program for young people.
Architecture in Downtown
Downtown Providence has many old buildings from the 1800s. These buildings show styles like Federal and Victorian architecture. You can also see newer, modern buildings. There's a clear difference between the buildings built before and after the 1980s.
Parks in Downtown
Downtown Providence has several nice parks:
- Burnside Park is next to Kennedy Plaza. It has a statue of Civil War general Ambrose Burnside. There's also an outdoor ice skating rink nearby.
- Waterplace Park runs along the Providence River. This is where the WaterFire festivals happen.
- Station Park is a green space next to the Providence Amtrak Station.
Central Downtown Area
The historic part of Downtown still looks much like it did many years ago. Some of Rhode Island's tallest buildings are found here. The tallest is the Industrial National Bank Building, often called the "Superman Building." It's 426 feet tall! Another tall building is One Financial Center.
Downtown is also home to the Providence Biltmore hotel. You can also find the Westminster Arcade, which was built in 1828. It's the oldest enclosed shopping mall in the United States!
Kennedy Plaza is a busy spot for businesses and transportation. Around the plaza, you'll find Providence City Hall, Burnside Park, and other important buildings. It's also the main hub for public buses in the city.
See also
In Spanish: Downtown Providence para niños
