Mayor Elorza vetoes Fane Tower zoning changes

November 30, 2018 4:55 pm

By News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza has vetoed the zoning changes necessary to build a 46-story building on land formerly occupied by I-195.

The proposal, which passed Providence City Council earlier this month, would have raised the height allowance for building projects from 130 feet to 600 feet.

Elorza cited several reasons for vetoing the proposal, among them lack of agreement between the mayor and developer Jason Fane to conditions on the design of the building and benefit to the public, as well as a commitment to expedite the timetable of the construction project.

The Providence Preservation Society released a statement Friday supporting the Mayor’s decision to veto the zoning change.

“The Providence Preservation Society and all of the coalition members that have been speaking out against this short-sighted and destructive zoning change wholeheartedly thank Mayor Elorza for putting the city’s interests above the interest of one developer,” said Brent Runyon, Executive Director.

“Mayor Elorza has exercised great leadership throughout this process, and the people of Providence thank him for doing the right thing to protect the character and reputation of our great city.”

More information about the status of the project moving forward will be released as it becomes available.