They are unmistakable: boarded-up, vacant structures that once were beautiful Victorian homes. Passing through Providence, a visitor might observe several abandoned houses per street. They stand out among the other residences as threats to neighborhood cohesion. Renovation, on the other hand, is more subtle: a visitor might not immediately notice the fresh coat of paint, restored staircase, or new windows on a formerly abandoned house.

Indeed, each of Providence's twenty-five neighborhoods has a history of development that might include crime, violence, vandalism, and reform. I am specifically looking at two neighborhoods that are considered to be in the "urban core," where revitalization is as varied as the organizations that spearhead it, ranging from small neighborhood cleanup to large, citywide street tree coalitions. Providence benefits from the large number of officials, community members, and leaders who are interested in decreasing crime, rebuilding abandoned houses, and beautifying vacant lots.