Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

For Providence, Another Era Of Greatness?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Providence has come a long way from just 20 years ago when a visitor coming into the city by rail would find sprayed across the walls of the nearly empty Union Station such epithets as 'Providence is the pits' and 'Welcome to dead city.' And it was. I know because I lived there."

A Tale Of Two Cities, Similar, But Also Quite Different, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Five years ago I wrote a column for this paper about a visit to Worcester, especially to explore the newly opened Worcester Fashion Common OUtlets. When I told my daughter who works in the area that I was going for a weekend in Worcester, she asked 'Why?' The report that I wrote was not a positive one."

Tiger Woods, A Herald For The Blending Of The Races In U.S., Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Tiger Woods, perennial winner of gold tournaments, has a unique way of describing his ancestry. When asked his background, e claims to be a "Caublasin," i.e., Caucasoid, Black, Asian and Indian. But, in reality, the Tiger may not be unique in a country that is now moving toward becoming a blended multiracial society."

Sprawl Is The Enemy; Victory Might Need A March In Reverse, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"SPRAWL--the word even sounds ugly Webster's definition is "to spread out carelessly or awkwardly," and it might have added inefficiently and expensively. And that is exactly what is happening as development takes place in the suburbs of Rhode Island and throughout the country."

Cultural Contribution Of The Capital City, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"I like Providence, but it was not always so. As a youngster, growing up between Boston and Providence, my friends and I very seldom ventured south into that city of corruption, clutter and crime; after all this was where the Mob was centered. Rightly or wrongly, that was the image that was conveyed."

James Rouse--A Man For All Seasons, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services, said it best: he 'did more to revitalize American cities than anyone this century.' Recognition of this fact came last September when President Clinton awarded him our nation's highest civilian honor--the Presidential Medal of Freedom. James W. Rouse, died at the age of 81, just 17 short days before his 82nd birthday on April 26--a long life with long-lasting achievements by a humanist and an urbanist, a man often referred to as a 'real Christian' and an 'urban visionary.' Where does one begin?"

The Nemesis Of Population Decline, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The recent announcement by the U.S. Census Bureau that Rhode Island was one of only two states (New York being the other) to lose population between July 1, 1994 and July 1, 1995 should come as no surprise. After all, according to Census estimates, we have been losing population for each of the past five years and now have 15,000 fewer residents than we had on July 1, 1990."

The Portland Of The Pacific Beguiles, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"When Amos Lovejoy of Boston and Francis Pettygrove of Portland sought to name the clearing in the Oregon forest called 'Stumptown' (because of the tree stumps remaining from frequent fires set by the Indians), each wanted to honor the New England city from which he came. By the toss of a coin, Pettygrove was the winner, and the Portland of the Northeast had its counterpart in the Portland of the Northwest."

We All Benefit From A Clean Providence, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Walking along the newly relocated Woonasquatucket River and observing the new walks, roadways and bridges, one cannot help but be impressed by this continuing evidence of the revitalization of the capital city's downtown. Equally impressive is the general overall cleanliness of this area and the rest of the city center. It was not always so."

Growing Old: A Look At Rhode Island, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The series of lectures and discussions on 'Growing Old in America' recently held at Brown University brought together authorities from across the country to examine some of the issues confronting our aging society.

Ranging from health care to business opportunities to life after 60, the aged in America represent a growing number of citizens who must be considered from may different perspectives: this the speakers did on a national level. But what of Rhode Island?"

Development Is Different For Cities, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is one of the most powerful trade organizations in the country. The 13,000 members come from the legal, realty, building, financial, governmental, academic and development sectors, and many are CEOs and presidents of their companies and corporations. Most are or represent the decision-making leaders of their various constituencies, and they are the ones who make things happen in the land development of this country. So when the Urban Land Institute (ULI) meets to discuss the issues affecting this nation, one is well-advised to be there."

Glory Days Of Suburbia Are Over, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Most Rhode Islanders would undoubtedly agree with Donald Wyatt's sterling endorsement of suburbia (Commentary Page, Sept. 7) and many would envy the wonderful experience he says he has had living in Warwick these past 40 years. After all, the suburbs are the habitat of most Rhode Islanders as well as most other Americans and, it sis presumed, these folks live there through choice."

Planning For People And Beauty, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Tourists who return from England frequently say the same thing: "What a beautiful country!" True enough, but it did not just happen. A naturally occurring rolling landscape and a climate to keep it green helped, to be sure. But strict government-imposed planning accounts for much of beauty [sic] of present-day England, too."

That Precious 'Ambience', Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Colette Peters, former Rhode Island School of Design student, renowned cake baker and author of Colette's Cakes, was recently asked about her food memories of Providence. This current resident of New York said, 'Haven Brothers! We'd go to Haven Brothers for hot dogs when I was a student at RISD. It was what we could afford.'"

In Defense Of The Lowly City: Urban Exodus, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"For much of American history, cities have been depicted as centers of sin and corruption. As a result, they have been neglected, ignored, castigated, criticized, shunned and despised by citizens and government alike. Americans just don't like cities."

The Numbers Game: An Ethnic Mish-Mash, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"St. Patrick and St. Joseph would have been pleased by the special day held in their honor at the State House recently. The General Assembly session was called off, corned beef and cabbage and Italian meatballs were served and speeches were given to recognize the contributions of the culturally and ethnically rich heritage of this small state of Rhode Island."

Skewed Distance Perception Is Rhody Tradition, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"We all joke about the size of this state and the attitude that its residents have regarding traveling any distance: Packing a lunch if you are going to Westerly from Providence, staying overnight if you go to Burrillville from Bristol and driving from Pawtucket all the way to Exeter to visit a friend. We hear it enough to start believing it."

What The Neighbors Will Say: A Quick Guide For Developers, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"They turn out at the public meetings in large numbers, are well organized, frequently have a list of names from the neighborhood and often come with their own legal counsel. They can turn a seasoned lawyer into a quivering and stumbling idiot, cause expert witnesses to lose their confidence and invariably add to the developer's cost, both in time and money.

They are the public opinion."

Columbia A Successful Forerunner Of New Towns, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"When center city developments such as Faneuil Hall in Boston, South Street Seaport in New York City, Harborplace in Baltimore and others are mentioned, the name of James W. Rouse is also noted in the same breath. In fact, the word "Rousification" is applied to such downtown developments. It is a tribute to his work in creating these lively retail centers in what were previously dying downtowns."

The Cities And Towns Look Ahead, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"What do you want your community to be? Over the next two and one-half years all communities in the state will be required to address this question, and to come up with a formal statement of what these goals and objectives are to be. And it's about time."

Canada Teaches Some Simple Lessons, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It's an odd person who doesn't marvel at the cities of Canada on his or her return from a visit to our neighbor to the north. Whether this be a trip to Canada's largest city of Montreal or to a Providence-sized Quebec City, people speak of the cleanliness, the safety, the beauty, the good public transport and the relaxed way of living. What accounts for the livability of these urban centers? And is there something that we can learn from the Canadians that we can use in our own cities?"

Cities Are For People, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"A walk in downtown Providence clearly shows that the concentration of bus services at Kennedy Plaza is a scheme to encourage bus ridership and reduce auto use and its pollution, especially along Dorrance Street."

Cluster Battle Is Over, But The War Rages On, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The Chinese have a saying: 'Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think.' For Americans, the same could be said for zoning in the seemingly never-ending war between residents and developers over land development."

The Elderly: A Market Resource, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The audience that came to hear the talk was distinctive. All of them were over 65, and nine out of 10 in the group of approximately 90 were women."

Boost For The Downtown: Splendid New Arcade, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The sign hanging from the center of the building reads '7 Days to Opening.' The countdown number changes dailty to remind carpenters, electricians, tile setters, merchants, and a whole host of others that construction must be finished, stocks placed, and shops ready for the Grand Opening of America's first indoor shopping mall--the Arcade.

Right Mix For Successful Downtown Renewal, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is sometimes called a 'big, small town.' It has all the trappings of a large urban center: from outdoor concerts at the Civic Center to a Go-Go lounge; parking problems and traffic congestion, to a Worthinton Street where bars and prostitutes prevail; and vacant old buildings , to new, high-rise office blocks. Sheer numbers alone in this city bring visible evidence of the activities and characteristics common to the downtowns of most large American cities."

Housing Rehabilitation Working In Hoboken, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One may not believe the argument but George Kohn, executive vice president of Applied Housing Associates, makes an interesting point. His business is housing, and he raises the question of where one should live--Manhattan or Hoboken. Why live on Manhattan's West Side, he asks, and pay $1,000 a month to wake each morning and view the flat, industrial ad boring New Jersey landscape across the Hudson? Why not live in Hoboken, at a $250 monthly rental, and view the fantastic, and only one like it in the world, Manhattan skyline to the east? Thirty cents and a 12-minute PATH subway …

Visit Radburn Where People Turn Their Backs To The Automobile, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"After 50 years it is still one of America's most visited communities, yet there is little for the tourist to see or do. It consists of only 150 acres, as mall part of the municipality of Fair Lawn, with 3,000 persons living in 430 single-family houses and 196 apartments, row houses and duplexes. Except for the sizable expanses of green spaces and differently arranged houses, what is it about Radburn, located just 10 miles west of the George Washington Bridge, that makes it such a unique community?"

Ah, Toronto, You Care About People!, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"They had a band winter here this year and the sunshine and warmer temperatures of Spring did not arrive until April 17. Spring is called a myth here because it comes so late, yet even with severe and long winters there is not one single pothole to be found in the well-maintained streets of the downtown. (Would that Providence could say as much!) This is just one of the many unusual aspects of Canada's largest city, a city decidedly different from those in the U.S. Toronto also offers proof that cities can work, that they have a future, that people …

Cleaning Up The Litter, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The last time the Environmental Protection Agency checked the numbers, it determined that eight million tons of America's annual municipal solid waste load was in the form of bottle and can beverage containers. Much of this was picked up from highways before it eventually reached municipal landfills."