Q: What do you see as Brown's involvement in the sustainable redevelopment of the old corridor? Do you think that it will merely consist of producing LEED certified buildings, or do you think that Brown will play a role in advocating for a larger concept of sustainability in the form of mixed-use buildings, walkability, green space surrounding buildings, etc? 
A: Regarding sustainability and the corridor - Brown's policies generally regarding energy and sustainability will apply to anything we do in the Jewelry District; whether there is an overall sustainability strategy that the community and city endorse for all development in the area we don't yet know.  Perhaps in a community planning process that Brown and many other area stakeholders are expecting to begin this summer, this will become better defined as an opportunity and strategy.  I would expect it to apply to the whole Jewelry District, not just the I-195 corridor, whatever is the case. 

Q: I have heard that in addition to Brown, Johnson & Wales has also shown interest in the old corridor.  Do you know a little bit more about that, or someone I can talk to about J&W's plans in the area?
A: JWU had state legislation passed several years ago apparently giving them special rights to some of the I-195 lands, especially those nearest I-95 and some of JWU's existing facilities. 

Q: What do you see as the incentive for Brown to develop sustainably through "green building"?  How are these incentives different from the incentives of private developers coming into the area? Where do they intersect?
A: Long term performance and savings in energy costs and carbon footprint - pretty much the same as the private sector, although most comparable to private building owners than developers, in that owners of all kinds stand to reap the cost savings over time, which developers don't do if they sell the buildings right away. 

Q: What do you see as the role of the RISD artists, when considering the challenges which private developers face when redeveloping land in the old corridor?  I know that there has been a lot of communication between government organizations, community organizations, and educational institutions like RISD and Brown in coming up with exciting plans for the area, but I am wondering where you see RISD and Brown playing a role in the actual realization of these plans?
A: I expect Brown will try to play a role developing buildings and spaces in the corridor area.  I haven't heard that RISD has such an interest.  You ask about artists - I'm a big fan of public art, and I think it'd be great to have artists involved in any and all development in the area.  Some cities and states have a 1 or 2% art requirement for public buildings or all buildings, but Providence and RI do not, at least yet!

Q: Finally, has there been a lot of communication between Brown and the community in the Jewelry District, which will be directly affected by new development in the old corridor? What is the general attitude towards  Brown that you have seen in communicating with people in the area?
A: Brown is seen in two ways, I think.  One, as being a way that the kind of mixed-use district that folks hope the Jewelry District will become, will happen.  The other, as a big institution that is not always easy to communicate with and to read.  That could in the future dominate the area.  (Note that my interest is not in the corridor by itself, but in the district that includes the corridor; I strongly feel the corridor should not be viewed or re-developed as a separate place, but as part of the district.)  In other words, people seem to view Brown as an opportunity, and as a welcome member of the community, but one they want to be sure doesn't overwhelm the community.  I think that both communications and actions have been, are and will continue to be key to maintaining the good community relations that Brown wants to have.