It appears as if it is possible to join together the economic and preservationist ideals in Rhode Island. Since the 1970s, developers have converted the regions mills and factories into offices, elderly housing, condos and commercial space. Revitalizing historic buildings can revitalize the economy as well as retain historic buildings as landmarks and anchors for communities. Through government sponsored programs, acts, and districts, Providence's historic industrial buildings can be preserved while being used as sites of economic activity.
Several possible uses have been deemed appropriate for redeveloping these historical structures.
Residential
Use:
Artist housing or housing for the elderly
Advantages:
• Open factory space that can be easily converted into apartments,
with solid construction
• Low conversion costs
• Can receive tax credits
• Cheap rent options for artist use
Disadvantages:
• Possibility of brownfield designation
• Expensive renovation to contaminated buildings
• There are stricter building and health codes for residential sites
• Zoning problems
ex) Monohasset Mill, Rising Sun
Commercial/
Retail Use
• In Providence the mill market is best suited for high-tech and internet companies
• Want to introduce smart building renovations
Office
Space
Advantages
• The small size of the incubators make them ideally suited for
abandoned buildings in an urban industrial area
• Promote local and minority owned business
• Generate new jobs in new industry within the community
• Low minimum square footage needed (Site must have a minimum of 15,000 square feet)
Disadvantages
• However the cost of renovating a historic building may be too
high and raise the cost of rent too high for its fledgling tenants
Business
Incubator:
Having
a historic industrial building act as a business incubator would meet
both industrial economists and preservationists goals.
Ex) Fletcher Manufacturing company, Stillman White Brass Foundry, 17
Gordon
At least in Rhode Island, historic industrial sites do not appear to be forgotten or ignored. Through several federal, state and local initiatives, these historic properties are here to stay and be adapted to new uses. Rhode Island is too rich in history to lose these monuments to the past. With the Industrial and Commercial Building District well underway, Providence will commemorate and re-use important historical buildings well into the future.
Sources