In 2024, the City of Providence launched a community engagement process to guide the redevelopment of 246 Prairie Avenue, the former home of the Urban League of Rhode Island. Supported by a community advisory group, design team, and local facilitator, the engagement process is bringing neighbors together to envision future uses of the property that meet the community’s wants and needs, while respecting its rich history.
Process Overview
The 246 Prairie Avenue property was acquired by the Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA) in late 2022 following the Urban League of Rhode Island’s announcement that the site would need to be redeveloped. As was announced in 2022, the existing building was unsafe and was demolished in Fall 2024.
To guide the future development of the property, the City has partnered with Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris to design and facilitate a community workshop series. The goal of this process is to define criteria of a “Request for Proposals” (RFP) that will be shared with the development community in 2025. Development teams that respond to the RFP will be scored on how well their proposal aligns with the community priorities that emerge from the workshop series.
The first three workshops were held at the Davey Lopes Recreation Center on October 24, November 12 and December 10, 2024. The next event is February 22, 2025 from 11AM to 1PM at CCRI’s Liston Campus.
Project Team
Community Facilitator: Dwayne Keys, a long-time resident and advocate for Providence’s Southside community, will serve as the Community Facilitator throughout the engagement process. With over 20 years of experience working with community groups across Providence and Rhode Island, Dwayne brings a wealth of expertise in neighborhood initiatives.
Design Consultant: STUDIO ENÉE was contracted to help community members visualize possible future uses of 246 Prairie Ave. STUDIO ENÉE is a minority and women-owned design firm with Providence resident staff and expertise in community participation in architecture and urban design.
Community Advisory Group: Working with Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris, the City assembled an advisory panel of community members with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to meet between workshops to advise the design of the community process and provide elevated input. Advisory Group members include:
- Beverly Ledbetter of Urban League of RI
- Ron Crosson of the South Providence Neighborhood Association
- Harold Metts, former State Senator
- Ruben Ogando, resident and business owner
- Margaret DeVos of Southside Community Land Trust
- Shane Lee of the Nonviolence Institute
- Silaphone Nhongvongsouthy of the Providence Department of Housing & Human Services
- Madeline Burke of CCRI’s Liston Campus
Community Workshops – What We’ve Heard
UPDATE: An additional community workshop was held on Saturday, February 22nd, 2025 at CCRI Liston Campus. Workshop materials and a summary will be added to this website shortly, along with updates about next steps in the process.
The three community workshops held in Fall 2024 at Davey Lopes Recreation Center brought neighbors together to reflect on the past, present, and possible futures of 246 Prairie Avenue.
October 24th, 2024 (Presentation)
In the kick-off community workshop on October 24th, attendees learned about the goals of the project, shared their favorite memories of 246 Prairie Avenue, and discussed the neighborhood’s assets, wants, and needs.
The site’s history – from a dense multi-cultural neighborhood in the early 1900s, to a thriving shopping center, to a hub of community services and empowerment – was discussed through the memories of participants. Comments on the neighborhood’s wants and needs were categorized into themes, including economic development, community services and programs, housing, commerce, wellness and culture, green space, and broader infrastructure improvements.
November 12th, 2024 (Presentation, Activity Boards)
At the November 12th workshop, participants began discussing preferred uses for the property. The neighborhood wants and needs discussed in the first workshop were organized into categories of future uses. These categories included economic development, commercial uses, senior and youth programs, housing, community space, and others. An activity asked participants to share their comments on whether each use was a good fit for 246 Prairie Ave or not.
Overall, participants voiced support for uses that create jobs and local businesses, support seniors and young people, provide additional housing options, and incorporate both green space and community space. Participants also highlighted the need for future development to respect the neighborhood’s rich history.
December 10th, 2024 (Presentation, Activity Boards)
As the engagement process begins to identify possible uses for the site, the project design team shared some initial analysis, informed by community input gathered in the first two workshops. Senator Harold Metts, an advisory group member, also gave a talk on the history of 246 Prairie over the last 60 years.
A hands-on activity using foam shapes representing different possible uses encouraged participants to explore how multiple uses might combine and layout on the property, leading to discussions of how future development might relate to the scale of nearby properties and connect to neighborhood amenities.
If you have not been able to attend a community workshop, but have an idea, question or suggestion about the property and its redevelopment, please contact us below!
FAQS
How can I get involved in the redevelopment of 246 Prairie Ave?
The City is leading a community engagement process to inform the redevelopment of the property, which will include community design workshops. See details above. The goal of these events will be to gather input from local residents and discuss the needs and priorities of the Southside community. Please share this information with your neighbors and attend the workshop events.
Who is working at the former Urban League property?
The Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA) has hired Pasquazzi Bros., Inc. to remove hazardous materials from 246 Prairie Avenue and demolish the building, a process that began in Fall 2024.
Who owns the building?
The former Urban League property at 246 Prairie Ave in Providence was acquired by the Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA) in late 2022.
Why will the building be demolished?
As was announced at the Urban League in December 2022, the existing building was unsafe and was demolished in Fall 2024.
What happened to Higher Ground International, which used the building in recent years?
Higher Ground International is now located 21 Peace Street, Providence. Each of the tenants present when PRA acquired the building have been provided public relocation assistance.
Will anything be built at the site?
Before any building plans are drawn up, the City is holding Community Workshop Events and convening a Community Advisory Group to determine what kind of new development would be most beneficial to the neighborhood and to ensure community members have an opportunity to craft a vision for the property’s future development.