The site where the former public safety complex once stood in LaSalle Square in Providence is now empty and the “temporary” parking lot is now open for business. The building hailed by some as a historic building that should have been saved, and by others as an eyesore that wouldn’t be missed was demolished starting in August. Regardless of what people thought of the building itself, most agreed that the building should remain until firm plans were in place to build anew, whether or not the plans included using the facade of the old building.
The Procaccianti Group, a developer from Cranston, decided that they would build a temporary parking lot while they finalize their plans for a building. I don’t think this lot will be quite as temporary as some might think. Temporary in Providence tends to mean permanent.
The most we can do is put pressure on the City Council and the Department of Planning and Development to put pressure on TPG to get a building up as soon as possible.