We are a class of 14 Brown University students.  We began our semester learning about brownfields, challenges they present and factors affecting successful cleanup and redevelopment.  Integral to this understanding were several guest speakers who explained the on the ground reality of brownfields redevelopment in Rhode Island. These speakers included:  

Terrence Gray, Assistant Director, RIDEM
Bob Vanderslice, Chief, Office of Environmental Risk Assessment, RIDOH
Thom Deller, Director, Providence Department of Planning and Development
Rebecca Barnes, Director of Strategic Growth, Office of the President
Professor Anne Tate, Rhode Island School of Design
Professor Phil Brown, Brown University

Their insight and backgrounds were invaluable to shaping our research questions.
We then applied this knowledge to the design and implementation of a research project which would: 1) catalogue the historical uses of the jewelry district; 2) explore the potential contamination of the area; 3) research potential options for redevelopment; 4) evaluate options to improve the process of brownfield redevelopment in Providence; 5) consider redevelopment of the Jewelry District in a broader context by looking at neighboring areas such as South Providence; and 6) identify alternative, sustainable options for redevelopment, including in particular in the corridor opening up as a result of the relocation of I-195 and along the waterfront.  This website is the product of our efforts. 

Brown University is an integral element of the Providence community. Its recent acquisitions of several properties in the Jewelry District for medical school and research uses makes Brown a significant stakeholder in the future redevelopment of this area and, more generally, the City.  As students of Brown, and thus extensions of the University, we also feel an obligation to act on the knowledge we have acquired. It is not enough to have learned the information, we also have a responsibility to use this knowledge and translate it into action. This website is our attempt to give back to the Providence community. We hope that the University will play a leadership role in making sure that redevelopment of the Jewelry District will become a showcase of how to redevelop brownfields in a way that not only protects public health and the environment today, but contributes to long term, sustainable improvements in environmental, economic and social.  We hope this information will serve as a catalyst to implement such improvements. 

Contributors to this Project:
ES 192 Class:
Instructor, Jan Reitsma
Andrea Barnes
Laura Dee
Lauren Dennis
Maysa Jarudi
Lindsay Hagamen
Benjamin Hudson
Heidi Marsella
Taryn Martinez
Erica Moen
Katharine Okamoto
Stuart Schussel
Erin Wetherley
Aaron White
Verner Wilson