246 Prairie Ave Redevelopment

What’s next for the former Urban League Property?

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and the Providence Redevelopment Agency (PRA) are hosting a series of community engagement events to discuss the redevelopment of 246 Prairie Avenue, the former site of the Urban League of Rhode Island. The goal of these events is to gather input from local residents and discuss the needs and priorities of the Southside community.

The 246 Prairie Avenue property was acquired by the PRA in late 2022 following the former Urban League of Rhode Island announcement the site would need to be redeveloped. As was announced at the Urban League in December 2022, the existing building is unsafe and is slated to be demolished in fall/winter 2024. This site work is scheduled to begin in late September. Demolition is expected to begin in late October.

To read the announcement about the community engagement process and building demolition, click here.

Map of 246 Prairie Ave with neighborhood amenities labeled246 Prairie Ave Neighborhood Map

Community Workshop Events

Three community workshops on the following dates are being hosted at the Davey Lopes Recreation Center, located at 227 Dudley Street. Spanish interpretation will be available:

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!

Name

 

Project Team

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.

The PRA has also contracted STUDIO ENÉE 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.

In addition to community meetings, the PRA has worked with Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris to assemble a panel of local community members to meet regularly between workshop events 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

 

FAQS

How can I get involved in the redevelopment of 246 Prairie Ave?
The City is launching a community engagement process this fall to inform the redevelopment of the property, which will include three community design workshops at Davey Lopes Recreation Center from 6 to 8pm on October 24th, November 12th, and December 10th. 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 in preparation for building demolition. This is scheduled to begin September 26. DigSafe has been on-site marking locations of underground utilities.

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 is unsafe and is slated to be demolished.

When will it be demolished?
Pasquazzi Bros., Inc will begin demolition of the property in late October.

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 establishing a Community Advisory Panel and will soon be conducting community engagement workshops to determine what kinds of facilities and services would be most beneficial to the neighborhood and to ensure community members have an opportunity to craft a vision for its future development.