Advocacy

At PPS, preservation advocacy looks like…

Raising awareness of Providence’s rich architectural and cultural history,
Identifying threats to the built environment, and
Educating the public on the importance of conserving historic resources.

We work with neighborhood groups, private citizens, and governmental agencies to offer guidance and expertise on a variety of topics and to promote a high standard of design and planning.

Staff regularly attends public hearings of the Providence Historic District Commission, City Plan Commission, Downtown Design Review Committee, and the Capital Center Commission, among other review bodies, to advocate for development and design that will enhance the built environment and to present position statements on matters critical to the future of Providence’s historic resources. PPS regularly meets with neighborhood associations, property owners, architects, and developers to discuss proposed projects and their impact on the fabric of our city.

A few of our more well-known advocacy initiatives are:

Most Endangered Properties List: The Most Endangered Properties List (MEP) is an annual list that calls public attention to important historic resources threatened by arson, vandalism, deferred maintenance, or abandonment. By working with property owners and other interested parties, PPS strives to identify solutions and to bring about positive changes for these historic buildings. An open call for nominations provides a preliminary list that is vetted by PPS.

Historic Preservation Awards: PPS recognizes significant contributions to the preservation of Providence’s historic resources. PPS Preservation Awards are given to individuals, organizations, and businesses that have made significant achievements in the preservation of the city’s historical and architectural resources.

Planning and Architectural Review (PAR) Committee: Local professionals in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, planning, preservation, and development comprise this committee, which reviews and advises on restoration and adaptive reuse projects, new construction in historic areas, and urban design issues. PPS’s participation in the design review process has established its credibility as local arbiter and advocate.