Smith Hill Community Development Corporation
  Smith Hill News January, 2009
Happy New Year from all of us here at the Smith Hill Community Development Corporation!

Here is list of a few of the things we are working on as well as some great neighborhood news.  Please contact us if you have any community news or announcements that you would like sent out through this monthly newsletter.  And please remember to check our Website, SmithHillCDC.org, regularly for updates, community links and our calendar of community events.

  • Smith Hill CDC is pleased to announce a partnership with Elmhurst Clean & Green and the Providence Parks Department on a bold and ambitious plan to improve Davis Park, which is located on the corner of Raymond and Chalkstone.  The plan includes a new playground, a community garden and a Farmer's Market.  Stay tuned for more details and please consider lending a hand.  We are still awaiting grant approval, but we are very optimistic and things are set to begin happening in the Spring!  We will definitely provide more details soon!
  • Capitol Square at Smith Hill, located at 233 Douglas Ave. has been converted to rentals and we only have two residential open units still available.  There are also a few large commercial spots available.  For more information please click here.

  • There was a neighborhood meeting between concerned residents and the Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) to address the intense odors that have been emanating from the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) located at the corner of Calverly and Okie streets.  At the meeting, NBC committed to "do whatever it takes" to solve this problem to the satisfaction of area residents.  If you were not at the meeting and would like to stay informed or weigh in yourself on this issue please indicate your interest here.

  • The Twitchell Family of the Smith Hill Community has been working with The
    Providence Neighborhood Planting Program (PNPP) on a plan designed to cover Smith Hill with as many trees as possible.  The deadline for the Spring planting is Monday, Jan.26th.  If you would like to have a free sidewalk tree, all you have to do is agree to help plant it and care for it.  If interested, please contact Rebecca Twitchell.

  • New businesses are critical to the vitality of our community and we are happy to pass along the news that Basement Brew-Haw, located at 116 Calverley Street, has re-opened under new management!  Providence's only home-brew and wine making supply store has  a new look and many exciting things on tap for the the coming year. If you've ever been curious about making your own beer or wine, now is your chance to learn about the craft from the knowledgeable and friendly new owner. Please stop by to say hello and remember to always support local businesses!

  • The Community Congress is an organization comprised of area non-profits, schools, churches and individuals committed to community building and improvement.  This year the Congress is engaged in planning some exciting, community-wide activities, including a Neighborhood Service Day set for late April.
Library News

It is difficult to keep up with the pace of library news in Providence lately.  Suffice to say, many of our city's local branches, including our Smith Hill branch, are faced with closure this year under the Providence Public Library's current plan.  A new organization, The Providence Community Library has formed and produced its own proposal to take over all local branches and continue at least the current level of service.  On Jan. 5th, the PCL hosted a press conference at City Hall, which was attended by ten City Councilpersons, who all expressed their support for the PCL plan.  One easy thing you could do to support this effort at saving our branch is to sign the PCL petition.  If you believe in the importance of public libraries in our community, please take a few minutes to learn about this important issue and sign the petition.
 
Smith Hill Library Friend's Group

Many of you have signed up to become Friends of the Smith Hill Library.  If you have not, please consider doing so now.  Becoming a Library Friend involves as small donation, $5 minimum, and any level of participation you chose.  You can come to monthy meetings or not.  There is strength in numbers and it would go a long way to saving the local branch if the Friend's Group can demonstrate a over one hundred members.  Again, please consider becoming a member.

The next Friends meeting is this Monday, Jan. 26 @ 5:00 pm, at the Smith Hill Branch Library, 31 Candace St.  Everyone is Welcome!!

If you are ready to give now, checks can be made to "Friends of Smith Hill Branch Library", and sent to the Smith Hill Branch Library located at 31 Candace St., Providence 02908.  Or please contact Mrs. Althea Graves.
Smith Hill Community Development Corporation
47 Goddard St.
Providence, RI
521-0159
www.smithhillcdc.org