Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Love The City? Live In It, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"In a recent editorial lauding retired Providence Police Chief Walter Clark, the Journal stated that in choosing a new police chief the most important single quality should be professionalism. The Journal might have added that the new chief should also reside in teh city, because of the 24-hour on-call and hands-on nature of the work expected of such an important position. It should not take a long distance telephone call to reach that person at home, as is so often necessary in times of trouble."

Respected Charlotte Needs No Touting, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"In 1761 when Princess Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz became the wife of George III, during whose reign the American Revolution took place, little could she imagine how important the city that honored her name would become in the United States of today. Mecklenburg County is the center of a metropolitan area that now embraces one million residents."

Now We Are Counted, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"There is an unusual clock in the Department of Commerce building in Washington. Looking like an auto's mileage odometer, it records the nation's population. Another single number is added to the total every 14 seconds. On March 6, the population odometer reached 250 million, which should be the number reported from this year's tally by the U.S. Census Bureau, the 21st decennial census in our country's history."

Providence Scores High Against Criteria For Vibrant Downtowns, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It has been nearly a generation since her thought-provoking and polemical The Death and Life of Great American Cities appeared, but some of the ideas expressed are still as valid as they were 28 years ago.

The second of the five major books that Jane Jacobs has written is the one that captured the imagination of the public and caused planners to rethink, argue and debate many of the policies and practices they had come to accept as immutable."

If Europe Can Team Up, Bristol County Can, Too, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"To regionalize or not? That may be the question facing Rhode Island's Bristol County.

It is the smallest of the five counties in the state, with its 24.9 square miles equalling only 6 percent of Providence County, the state's largest at 437 square miles. The three small towns of Barrington, Warren and Bristol that comprise this East Bay peninsula are usually given just a fleeting glance by visitors as they head south for Newport.

Right now, the three towns are faced with a decision regarding the recycling of waste, which is to take place by September. The state Solid Waste …

Imagination Brought To Earth, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"There's an old saying, widely attributed to Will Rogers, that says, "Buy land because they're not making it anymore." And as developers search for fewer available and more expensive buildable sites all over the state, most would agree with the saying.

...It has been suggested that the city investigate the possibility of building a parking lot over ROute 95 as a way to provide extra parking for the downtown, but a subsequent analysis apparently discounted the idea.

Perhaps the city is not dreaming big enough."

Unlike Most Top 100 Cities, Providence Losing Population, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Given the recent history of population decline in Providence and other large cities throughout New England, one might think that major cities throughout the country are also losing population. Not so."

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."

Housing Problems Grow More Acute For The Poor, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One in seven people live below the poverty level in this rich country, and the result of this inexcusable condition is that housing is the principal problem for these more than 32 million people.

Nearly two of every three poor people rent their housing, and while home owners are experiencing increased equity because of increasing house values, low-income renters are having to pay higher rents with fewer dollars."

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."

As The Population Ages, Housing Needs Change, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The housing needs for all of us change over time, depending on one's position in the life cycle. The single person needs only a room, young marrieds settle for a rented apartment, and the family with children needs more space, both inside and out. Children grow up and still more space is needed, then the children leave the nest. Their parents become "empty nesters." A spouse dies and leaves a person single again and often dependent on others. And then, perhaps, a nursing home becomes a necessity before the person passes on."

Beating The System By Joining In Buying Homes, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"A recent national survey revealed that 84 percent of Americans would choose a single-family detached house over any other form of housing. Not surprisingly, in this country where we value individual rights, individual ownership of property is a goal to which most aspire and one that most have achieved.

But suppose that goal was not attainable and the only choice was a multifamily structure. And suppose that limited resources meant the only form of ownership was sharing with others. Given this choice, would Americans choose this form of housing?"

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."

Shape Of Things To Come, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The age-old saying is that the future belongs to the young. However, in terms of new potential markets, the business sector ought to consider changing demographics, in nation and state, because the future for the merchants of goods and services may very well be with the old."

Notable Efforts To Meet Emerging Housing Needs, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"This is a landmark year in the historical development of housing in the nation, ad Rhode Island almost became a part of this bigger picture. One noteworthy event has already taken place, and two special birthdays are observed throughout the year."

Some Back-Yard Arguments Are Best Left At Home, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Governing authorities must contend and work with many special-interest groups in order to plan the growth and development of their communities. Whether these groups are concerned with better schools, garbage pickup, no growth, economic development or the environment, the issues may require action, and often the only way to get the attention of the local council is to band together and confront authorities with the issue."

Return Of The Student Tempo, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It's that time of the year again when summer wanes and fall approaches. In the minds of many, this change to autumn occurs around Labor Day when the kids go back to school, rather than the official, later occurring, Autumnal Equinox. So, another season and the new academic year is upon us."

First Night In Providence: A City That Plays Is A City That Works, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It was an impressive ending to a birthday celebration that will long be remembered. The 350th anniversary of the founding of the capital city of Providence and the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations drew to a fitting close with fireworks on the State House lawn, remarks by the governor and the singing of Auld Lang Syne by the audience of 10,000 to welcome in the New Year."

The Cities Do Need Help, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The lead editorial in the Providence Sunday Journal of December 7, 1986 is completely off the mark and deserves to be answered. The attitude expressed by the writer conveys the specious view that because our nation's cities are not being burned down or torn apart by race riots at the present time then things are not really all that bad in our urban centers."

Haven Brothers: Community In A City Of Change, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Providence is a historic city with the claim, among others, to having, in the Benefit Street area, the nation's best collection of 18th century wooden houses and, downtown, one of the finest concentrations of 19th century commercial buildings. It is this history that makes us unique, and it is this history that we celebrate, both in the city and the state, during this, our 350th birthday.

The Housing Options In Barrington, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Barrington has a reputation as a fine town, with attractive homes surrounded by neat lawns, good schools, many boats moored in the harbor and only 15 minutes from the heart of Providence."

Looking To Suburban Malls For Lesson On Envisaged Providence Company, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"During next month, some major decisions must be made that will have long-term effects on the future health and prosperity of our capital city's central business district. One of these decisions relates to the proposed establishment of a 'Providence Company,' a management and marketing organization for the downtown, recommended in the recently completed Carr, Lynch and Levine report on downtown Development."

Tourism's Full Potential Waiting In Wings For R.I., Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Question: What industry in this country involves 8 million consumers daily, employs between 4 and 6 million people directly, generates nearly $200 billion in annual expenditures and is our second largest retailing activity? If you answered tourism, you are correct."

Economic Spin-Off From The Arts, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It was the variety of people there that was most noteworthy. There were the construction men, the account executives in their three-piece suits, the poor, the old, the young, the blacks, the Asians, the college professors and the unfortunates who frequent downtown parks and benches."

Providence: Arts Can Improve The Image, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Providence has an image problem. Whether one asks as state resident or a Providence native about our capital city, the response is usually negative. And the image of our city held by non-Rhode Islanders is one that should not make us proud."

Minorities, Cities To Bear Brunt Of Federal Cutbacks, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The sad story of the 4,500 Rhode Island families whose welfare benefits will be reduced or ended with this current 1982 fiscal year should make us profoundly aware of the plight of the poor. In the next few months government-mandated action will bring the federal budget closer to balance. Not yet noticed but soon to be realized, will be the impact on minority poor, and on the place where most of them live--the city."

Some Good Things Are Happening, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is easy to be critical and to single out the wrongs of a society: the reporting of such wrongs is what sells newspapers. Too often the good things that happen are not recognized nor deemed newsworthy, and the result is they go unnoticed. So it was more than refreshing to read recently in these papers about some very positive actions on the part of a private citizen, a small business, and yes, even a politician--actions that are helping to make our communities better places in which to live."

Welcome To The Beach: Only If You Can Afford It, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Narragansett has been called 'Home of the most expensive public tan in America' because of beach and parking fees imposed by the Tow Council in June."

Downtown Shopping By The Elderly, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It was their last meeting of the year. Some came to hear a lecture on United States foreign policy, some to study French or Shakespeare, some to hear a discussion on Iran, and some came to do line dancing. It was also an opportunity to meet friends, have lunch together, and, perhaps, do some shopping. Who are these actively involved people? They are the elderly."