On my recent Real Estate Insight Blog I wrote about having Chris West and David Kessler on the weekly radio show, where we talked about the LEED certification and a home we are listing for sale that is designed to meet the Platinum Certification.  They were just great guests and really are in tune to building green structures.

One interesting point really surprised me. To build green, the government statistics show that up front costs may be more expensive by no more than 10%.  However, when you factor in the usage costs and, if retrofitting, the avoided maintenance costs, the overall cost factor for a green building is actually less.  All of these comparison calculations are based on the equivalent energy cost of $60/barrel oil.  Last time I looked, the cost of a barrel of oil was at $78 and rising again.

Going forward, don’t be surprised to see more of this type of construction becoming the norm, and if it isn’t the norm from your builder, you may want to question whether he can build this way. If we all question the status quo and work towards more sustainable construction techniques, we can save ourselves from a lot of problems.

Community involvement is important to us and when given a chance to participate in a project to brighten and enliven an area, we are inclined to give our support. So we did when the Parent Teacher Organization of the Vartan Gregorian Elementary School, our neighbor at the other end of Wickenden Street, asked us to help sponsor a mural on the blank wall of the school.

The project has been through two designs and we were given a look at the latest version by Michael Kolendowicz of Mamuth Murals. (A section of the mural is shown above.) Since the design had changed, the PTO asked again if we would continue to support the latest effort. Kate Keizler and Gina Mazza visited our office this morning with a printout of the future mural. Michael blended several colors into it to work with what he saw in the area and we’re glad to continue our sponsorship.

For a total review of this Fox Point area project, you should visit the artists’ blog. Mamuth Murals posted a detailed description of the design process and thinking going into the artwork.  Getting the community to support these types of projects is important. The effort and coordination to include the communities feelings needs to be applauded. A dollar breakfast and walk-a-thon is being held this Saturday to further support the project.

Today is it – the last day of winter. And mother nature really made it seem like spring has already arrived. We sent our intrepid photographer out to capture what this day is all about.

If it’s Friday (and sometimes any day of the week), it must be pizza time.  Providence has some of the best pizza in the country and Wickenden Street has a couple of great pizzerias, but if you are looking for a great slice go no further than Fellini’s.

Fellini’s is as unique as Wickenden Street itself. Check out this video to see why.

Almost all Rhode Islanders have been affected by the Iway Construction Project, which has moved the intersection of I-195 and I-95 further south. Sometimes it has been painful, but the results seem to make traffic flow better.

Recently, outside our corporate and Providence office, demolition work has begun during the evening to remove the old sections of I-195. This has started at the intersection of Wickenden, South Main, and South Water Streets.

If you had driven under the old highway, you would have noticed steel beams constructed to reinforce the overpass supports. This partially obscured the view of the brightly colored murals painted onto the concrete support structure.

Most of the overpass is now gone, revealing the murals once again. But now they are visible in full daylight. So, we sent out our media team and recorded the following film for history and for those who may not travel over the Point Street bridge onto Wickenden Street. Enjoy.