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Recommendations for Sustainable Brownfields Redevelopment in the Jewelry District

South Providence

Increase Transportation Infrastructure in South Providence and Jewelry District

South Providence plays a major role in the redevelopment of the Jewelry District. South Providence is primarily a residential neighborhood with a high concentration of industrial facilities along its waterfront. A major problem with South Providence in regards to the Jewelry District is that I-95 acts as a barrier between South Providence and the Jewelry District. This barrier may be extended when the new I-195 overpass is complete. Adding to this possible barrier issue is the fact that South Providence and the Jewelry District greatly lack public transportation infrastructure, which makes it difficult for people without cars or the ability to walk to access each neighborhood. Please visit http://www.ripta.com/maps/ for a detailed map of public transportation lines in both neighborhoods.

Therefore our group recommends that RIPTA, Brown University, and other appropriate agencies invest in transportation infrastructure in both of these neighborhoods. The key, however, is to make sure that the transportation lines connect the two neighborhoods in order to break through the highway barriers. We also recommend that streets and pathways under the highways allow safe and easy pedestrian and bike-routes between the two neighborhoods. This can be achieved but is not limited by the following recommendations:

Increase RIPTA lines and/or lengthen RIPTA bus routes in both neighborhoods, and make sure that these routes pass through both neighborhoods.
Extend Brown University Shuttle service to South Providence from the Jewelry District.
Implement smooth and clear-of-obstacles pedestrian pathways under the highways. These pathways should be well lit for safety.
Implement adequate bike-lanes on streets that connect the two neighborhoods.

The result of adding public transportation should, however, be more than to simply connect the two neighborhoods. The goal of recommending the above public transportation options is to promote design and infrastructure through the redevelopment of the Jewelry District that can serve the needs of all people. This includes people with or without cars, or people who prefer to use a bicycle. By adhering to specific needs such as these, a much more “livable” space can be generated in South Providence, which could be a catalyst for more residential and less industrial development (which is usually a precursor to brownfields) in this neighborhood.