Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

Census Bureau Seeks Partners In Business, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"By now you should have seen the advertisements for the U.S. Census Bureau to apprise us of the forthcoming census on April 1, 2000. And there will be plenty more since the Bureau has budgeted $167 million on this push for public awareness, something it has never perviously paid to do."

In Economic Terms People Count!, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The economic picture for Rhode Island is looking brighter. Recent forecasts by Manpower, Inc. and the New England Economic Project (NEEP) paint a positive picture in the short-term future, reflecting on favorable signs evident in the slow recovery of the economy being experienced throughout the region."

Some Thoughts On Regionalization, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"New Englanders pride themselves on their self-reliance, their fortitude, their independance and, some would say, their obstinacy. Generally good qualities, but they come at a price: not cooperating with others around you. And this has been a tradition in this part of the country since its founding.

But now the 39 cities and towns are faced with severe cutbacks in funding from federal and state sources, and major questions are being raised by taxpayers who are expressing their anger by voting to reduce all types of programs, especially the biggest expense in most communities--the schools."

The Governor And The High Price Of Homes, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The recent well-publicized Cranston land sale that put the governor of Rhode Island in the spotlight, has raised questions about the ethics of a public figure being involved in a highly profitable real estate deal."

The Same Numbers Can Add Up To Various Sums, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It was Benjamin Disraeli, supposedly, who first used this truism: 'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.' At a time of great interest in house prices and the growing field of demographics, it is incumbent on the reader to be aware of this when reading stories in these areas that are substantiated by numbers."

Invisible Industry, Visible Rewards, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The week of May 17 to May 23 appeared to be an ordinary one, but it was singled out at the national level as National Tourism Week and, in the state, as Rhode Island Tourism Week, in case you did not know, and it was recognized by both the governor and by the mayor of Providence at recent luncheons. Well, ho-hum, another of the many proclamations and paper awards that so often come out of these offices that few give them much attention. But this one should cause Rhode Islanders to sit up and take notice."

Hitting The Untapped International Tourist Market, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is the third-largest retailing operation in the nation with approximately five million employees. In New England it generates more than $620 million of state and local taxes annually. And in Rhode Island in 1986, it is estimated that $800 million was spent in this 'invisible industry.'"

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."

Downtown Plan Needed For Future Growth, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It appears that the Providence downtown is finally turning the corner. A proposal to beautify the entrance into the city center from Route 95 with trees, flags, parks, art work and new illumination has been submitted to the Providence Redevelopment Authority. This turn to aesthetics, coming on the heels of considerable physical improvement of roads and buildings accomplished and in progress, is an indication that downtown interests recognize the lack of an attractive city 'gateway' and want to do something about it. This is decidedly a praiseworthy action on the part of the private sector."

Housing Program That Suffers From Too Much Success, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"One of the strengths of this country lies in the large number of people who own and occupy their own homes. In 1970, 63 percent of Americans were classed as owner-occupiers (in Rhode Island the figure was 58 percent), and that number has grown to approximately 65 percent today."

Downtown Malls: A Means To An End, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It has been a trying year for downtown Providence merchants. Roads that too long have been neglected are being repaired and a Westminster Mall is in the process of getting a new facelift. Dirt, dust, noise, hazardous walking and a general inconvenience have deterred potential shoppers from using downtown shops, and this is reflected in reduced sales."

'Down City' Has Gone Downhill, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"There is essentially only one downtown in this city-state of Rhode Island, and it is accessible to the entire state in less than one hour's driving time. Yet over the past 10 years the Providence downtown has been in a steady decline, with a limited selection and lowered quality of goods offered from fewer shops. The familiar names of a few years ago, such as Shepards, Gladdings, City Hall Hardware and others, no longer serve as retail focal points in the captial city's central business district (CBD)."

Loss-Leaders For The Inner Cities, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The Wall Street Journal has called it 'the latest war between the states.' It is a tool long used by Southern cities and states that only now is being utilized in the Northeast and Midwest. And it has been used by the city of Providence at the Biltmore Plaza.

Would A Westerly Mall Benefit The Entire Town?, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"It is the largest urban center in southwestern Rhode Island but, in reality, it is just a small town with a population approaching 20,000. A good example of small-town America, it is an attractive community and one in which residents take a good deal of pride."

City Need Is Jobs For Young, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 was a landmark piece of legislation which continues to benefit communities in need. Over the past three years Providence has received close to $27 million which has been spent to improve housing, parks and historic buildings in addition to building and servicing community centers. The focus of this major legislation was on physical and social improvement of the community. The one unprovided area was economic development."

Jacksonville's Commitment To Downtown, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The largest city in the Sunshine State is quite different from the cities we know in the Northeast, especially in its downtown."

What To Do With Lasalle Square, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The recent proposals to the Providence Redevelopment Authority for the development of the once-acre parcel of land at LaSalle Square have raised some interesting questions about the use of this valuable piece of downtown property."

The Benefits Reaped From Block Grant Fund Will Increase, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 signed into law by President Ford was a landmark piece of legistlation. It provided federal money for communities in block grants, with each local community making its own decisions as to the distrubution of these funds in areas such as housing, parks and community facilities."

The Time Is Right For New Towns, Chester Smolski

Smolski Texts

"Recent applications to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the funding of four new towns have been suspended. HUD has further notified developers that it will no longer accept applications for federal guarentees on the construction of these large scale developments."