New England City Scoop: Construction Starts in Providence

New England City Scoop: Providence — **Total construction spending on track to drop by more than 8% this year**

Providence is building several new hotels downtown, including a Residence Inn. The nine-story, 176-room hotel will include retail and restaurant space.

*RENDERING BY VISION 3 ARCHITECTS, COURTESY OF GILBANE BUILDING CO.*

BETA has provided a diverse set of services for Providence-area projects during the last decade and has performed roadway and streetscape improvements to Weybosset Street in front of the Providence Performing Arts Center.

*PHOTO COURTESY OF BETA*

City Grill

John Sinnott
Vice President and Rhode Island Business Unit Leader Gilbane And President Rhode Island AGC

After receiving news in August that the Pawtucket Red Sox are relocating to Worcester, Mass, Rhode Island was buoyed by voter approval of a $250-million bond to renovate dilapidated public-school buildings. Before the vote for the largest bond in state history, towns had to secure their own bonds and seek reimbursement from the state. “A lot of these towns and cities are not financially secure enough to be able to qualify for bonds,” says Sinnott.

Last summer, Gilbane started the multiphased occupied renovation of Lincoln High School. The project involves demolishing part of the existing school and significantly renovating other portions.Gilbane is also building the Residence Inn in Providence, which includes demolition of the former Fogarty Building. The nine-story, 176-room hotel will include retail and restaurant space.

Sinnott says there are “a lot more projects slated for downtown,” including more hotels and residential properties. More than 90% of the city’s apartments are currently leased. “A lot more people want to live in the city,” Sinnott says. “Providence has really changed in the last five to 10 years. You see a lot more people living down here.”

Firm in Focus

BETA Group Inc.
6 Blackstone Valley Place, Ste. 101, Lincoln, R.I.
CEO: Frank Romeo
Employees: 165
Founded: 1982
Catch All: BETA has provided a diverse set of services for Providence-area projects during the last decade and has performed roadway and streetscape improvements to Weybosset Street in front of the Providence Performing Arts Center.

The firm offers civil, structural, water and wastewater, transportation and traffic engineering, landscape architecture and urban design services along with stormwater management, environmental management and GIS and asset management. BETA is providing site/civil, landscape architecture and permitting for South Street Landing, a redevelopment of approximately 10.7 acres on the previously industrial waterfront in Providence. Slated for residential, commercial, industrial and educational/institutional uses, the project is scheduled for completion this spring.