Top Ten Things Fall River Should Learn from Providence

As many of you know, I have lost over 35 pounds in the last three months. Aside from cutting down on my late night activities, the primary reason for that loss is that I've been walking all over our city. And I'm not talking about a scripted walk around the best neighborhoods or a track - I'm talking about destination to destination. From my girlfriend's house to the office, from the office to my house, from my house to a local business, as I've been walking, I've found myself becoming more aware. And not only is it a benefit to my fitness, but it also helps me clear my mind and do a lot of thinking. Believe me - this Internet radio has required a lot of thinking.

I have observed Fall River from a street-level angle. The good. The bad. The people. The circus. You name it. I love where I'm from, and I do think our history, our culture, our architecture, and our location will eventually be used to its potential and begin to pay some much needed dividends.

I couldn't help but think about Fall River yesterday as I was walking through the great city of Providence, Rhode Island, going on approximately 20 different sales calls. From Downcity to Thayer Street to Atwells Ave to the Providence Place Mall, from spaghetti shops to strip joints, I was all over Providence. I couldn't help noticing a few things that Providence does that Fall River doesn't. Some are big; most are not. Some you need lots of money; others you don't. Here are my top ten things Fall River would be better served with if it emulated the city of Providence.

I know that we don't have an open check book, and I know how slow the wheels of beauracracy move, but with a little political grease, but with some creative people and a collective vision, it can be done. Don't get me wrong. Providence isn't a utopia. They have their zombies walking around and a dominating drug culture, but I think we all can agree they do a great job of celebrating their heritage and culture while also celebrating the new. Here goes. Top Ten in no specific order.

1. Street musicians - In my travels through Providence, I saw two saxophonists who were playing outside in business districts and two different bands playing in street squares in a festival/carnival-like atmosphere. It creates a good buzz, and people naturally gravitate to the music. Fall River certainly has its share of qualified, entertaining street musicians. All you have to do is go to the Belmont Club on a Monday night to figure that out.
2. Art work - Whether it's the spray painted mural on the bridge at Wickenden Street or the simple tile memorial structure outside the Westin Hotel, it is working for Providence. Less gray, more color - always works. We have numerous overpasses and blank walls that could use the creativity of local artists. Give them a canvass, and they may make you a masterpiece.
3. Venue - Providence has several: the Dunkin Donuts Center, the Convention Center, the PPAC, Lupo's, Trinity Rep, etc. We currently don't have a venue that could hold thousands of people for an event like a concert or play. We do, however, have the Narrows Center, an amazing story of artistic and musical birth that is a true hidden jewel in Fall River. I would like to see the city empower them, either through a parcel of land near the water or some of these empty buildings or mills and let them take their act to the next level. seriously, how difficult would it be to put an amphitheater near the waterfront? The Narrows would be an ideal fit to make sure it's managed and run efficiently to achieve to its next level.
4. Colleges instead of court houses - Although the downtown court house is an impressive building, I'd much rather see UMass Dartmouth, Roger Williams, or Johnson and Wales across the front instead of the "Fall River Justice Center." If we can do a sweet land deal for the court house downtown, it would only make sense to do it for the colleges and build on what UMass Dartmouth has already. Nothing like college students to pump a little energy and life into a place
5. Hotels - No one can question the demand for room space. A hotel in the waterfront or downtown Fall River would be able to sustain itself. We're not going to be a hotel mecca, but seeing what the LaFrance family has done in New Bedford and what the Karam family has done in Taunton and Middletown, it couldn't hurt to reach out to them or other successful businessmen to lay the groundwork for a hotel at a prime location.
6. Trolleys - All day in Providence, I saw these beautiful, old school trolleys driving through the city, and I couldn't help but think why Fall River doesn't utilize their trolleys more. When they are on the streets, it projects a vibrant city, one that's willing to support its revitalization plan. And they're aesthetically pleasing, as well. The city has them; it's time to start using them, especially at night in support of our fine restaurants and new arts and entertainment district.
7. Theaters - One of the most tragic mistakes in our city's history was the destroying of many downtown theaters. There is one left (the Capitol Theater), and we should do everything in our city's power, make every grant writer available at the disposal of the Viveiros family to rehabilitate the theater and make it an epicenter for arts in our downtown.
8. One magic retail attraction - And by magic, on a Fall River scale, I'm talking about a TJ Max or a Marshalls or something along that line for downtown. Again, the part would have to be sweetened to make it attractive to the business through land giveaways or tax deals. They bring good people willing to spend money at bargain prices. That's what we need to jumpstart our downtown economy. The spill-off would be tremendous.
9. Litter - Fall River has way too much of it. I see it every day in my travels. As the litter gets worse, the neighborhood gets worse. This problem definitely needs to be addressed. Quality of life issues are critical to bringing people to your city. Nobody wants to go play in the trash. One thing I saw in Providence was more trash recepticles on its streets. A one-time fixed cost of aquiring these trash bins and anchoring them down could prove to be a long-term benefit.
10. Bridges - Need I say any more? How quick did it take to build the iWay bridge and institute the new traffic plan in Providence? And how long has it taken for the fiasco known as the new Brightman Street Bridge (Veterans Memorial Bridge)? The iWay facilitates the traffic and makes it much easier to move around. A capital improvement done quickly and efficiently would do a lot to restore people's confidence in their state and federal governments.

So there you have it. As I said, some big, some not so big. But the cumulative effect would be a win-win for the city of Fall River. Leave your suggestions, as well, and we can mix and match and maybe come up with an alternate Top Ten. Peace. One Love.