Posted inHousing, Local, South County Bureau

Judge deals blow to Winnapaug redevelopment

Plans to turn the Winnapaug Country Club into something bigger and more profitable have once again found themselves in the rough. The owner and would-be developer of the 120-acre golf course, Winn Properties, has long wanted to do something more with it. But Winn’s redevelopment plans have repeatedly failed to win approval from town planners.   “It’s […]

Posted inArts And Culture, Artscape

Live/work: How the housing shortage threatens Providence’s identity as the ‘creative capital’

The old mill buildings of the Olneyville and Valley neighborhoods in Providence were once the home to hundreds of artists. Back in the 1990s, space was cheap in the old mills and many artists were happy to live and work in these run-down post-industrial spaces. But starting in the early aughts, artists faced evictions as many of those buildings were torn down or converted to luxury loft apartments or condos. So what’s available now?

Posted inHousing, Local, South County Bureau

How large-lot zoning contributes to Rhode Island’s big housing shortfall

The corner of Gardiner and Ten Rod Roads in Exeter looks a lot like a place to take a hike. It’s wooded, quiet, and abuts 26 acres of densely grown trees.  “It certainly would make a great nature preserve,” Colin Penney, executive director of South County Habitat for Humanity, said on a recent visit to […]

Posted inEducation, Housing, Local, Politics

Providence Mayor Smiley to education critics: we made ‘as much progress as we can afford to make this year’

TRANSCRIPT: This transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Luis Hernandez: All right, let’s get into education. I didn’t know this; I learned, it was about 25 years ago when a new consensus emerged on the need to improve Providence schools. And then, of course, five years ago, the state takes control of the […]

Posted inHealth, Housing, The Weekly Catch

An app for addiction treatment, Narragansett’s affordable housing problem, and more

Rhode Island has one of the nation’s highest rates of overdose deaths involving cocaine, a problem the state is trying to address with a new smartphone app. But is it reaching those most in need? Also, the town of Narragansett has one of the lowest percentages of affordable housing in the state. We hear about some steps taken earlier this week by the town council intended to address the housing shortfall. And RISD is celebrating its second Black Biennial. We’ll hear from the co-curator who is seeking to break down the walls between the institution and the surrounding community. Plus: the week in politics, and a few things to do this week.

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