Angell Street Houses

2/28/2024 Update:

Last November, PPS organized a vigil with other civic groups and leaders to memorialize the Angell Street Homes before their December demolition. Since then, community, civic and preservation leaders have argued for a range of new policies and regulations that would make this kind of demolition-without-a-plan much harder in the future. The first salvo: two weeks ago, Ward 1 Councilman John Goncalves introduced an amendment to an existing city ordinance that would require those seeking demolition permits to post more detailed information about the demolition at the site; to give advance notice to the site’s abutters (those with property that abut the site of proposed demolition); and to file more detailed paperwork and plans that relate to the site, including their dust/lead/asbestos mitigation plans. Big changes can often happen incrementally; we support this amendment and additional regulations in the future that make this kind of demolition much more difficult and ultimately impossible. This amendment is under review by the Committee on Ordinances.


12/21/2023 Update:

Demolition of the Angell Street Houses began last week on Tuesday, December 12. These contributing properties on the College Hill National Landmarks District have been the focus of much controversy over the last decade as community members have fought against multiple development proposals for the Smart Hotel. Sold to an anonymous LLC, these buildings are ultimately being demolished with no development plans. PPS believes that the razing of buildings without transparency or public input is unacceptable. (Photo credit: Art in Ruins).


11/29/2023 Update:

PPS, Councilman John Goncalves and the College Hill Neighborhood Association hosted a vigil for the houses on 217, 211, and 209 Angell Street on Monday, November 20 with about 50 community members in attendance. The current owners and their plans for the location remain unconfirmed; despite public outcry, demolition has moved ahead. Neighbors witnessed what was likely lead and asbestos abatement interior demolition last week, and fencing was installed over Thanksgiving weekend.

The site of these houses has been hotly debated as a location for the Smart Hotel project, rejected by both the City Plan Commission and continued indefinitely by the Committee on Ordinances in 2022. PPS continues to oppose any attempt to re-envision a hotel for this location, as both its intended use and the demolition of residential units during a housing crisis are unacceptable.

Media Roundup:

Brown Daily Herald article

WJAR reporting

Steve Ahlquist on Substack


11/17/2023 Update:

Three houses on Angell Street are once again in danger of demolition.

209, 211, and 217 Angell Street have drawn much concern and controversy on the East Side over the years as developer Ed Bishop proposed the location for the Smart Hotel. This proposal would have resulted in a six-story boutique hotel with no parking in an area zoned for residential and professional purposes only. Rejected twice by the City and by the public, the matter was continued indefinitely and cannot be pursued again in this location.

Now, the three houses are once again slated for demolition, and this time no one knows who is seeking this demolition or what is planned for the site. The first demo notice was posted last week without sufficient notice, and neighbors, along with City Councilman John Goncalves, flagged this technicality and bought a little time with a stop-work order. However, there is no legal recourse to prevent this demolition as it is not in a local historic district, and the demolition could occur as early as next week.

PPS opposes any demolition at this site and believes that the demolition of multiple housing units for an empty lot during a housing crisis is unacceptable. Say no to demo on Angell Street, and let’s make our voices heard.

CALL TO ACTION: Help PPS spread the word! Share this message with your social networks using the hashtag #saynotodemo and this link: ppsri.org/advocacy-alert-planned-demolition-of-angell-street-houses/


Previously…

On November 16, 2022 the City Council heard SMART Princeton Hotel Group, LLC’s petition for a Zoning Change for the properties on 209-217 Angell Street from a Residential-Professional (RP) to a Commercial (C2) District. After initial comments, the Council determined they did not have jurisdiction and the matter was continued indefinitely. 

SMART Princeton Hotel Group, LLC, and Angell Investments, LLC, were petitioning for a Zone Change for 209-217 Angell Street from a Residential Professional (RP) District to a General Commercial (C2) District. This would have adjusted the zoning from one that prioritizes the preservation and enhancement of residential integrity where residential and low-intensity commercial or professional use is compatible, to one that accommodates more intensive commercial use.

This petition was considered in 2019-2020 at the City Planning Commission and addressed in multiple advocacy alerts. We continue to be opposed to the demolition of the three contributing buildings in a National Register District. We also feel that the hotel’s use and intensity will have a negative impact on those who live, work, and attend school in the immediate area. Finally, this Zone Change request continues to be inappropriate for the neighborhood regarding its allowed size, scale, and massing and should remain as an RP District. 

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