Providence panel endorses skyscraper

PROVIDENCE (AP) — Officials in Providence are supporting a zoning change that would allow a proposed 46-story skyscraper.

The Providence City Council Ordinance Committee voted Thursday to recommend approval to raise the maximum building height at Parcel 42 to 600 feet. The committee had previously denied recommending a zoning change for New York developer Jason Fane’s proposed Hope Point Tower.

Councilor Jo-Ann Ryan says Providence needs “to embrace developers.” Critics of the project like Councilman Bryan Principe say the decision shows that “zoning doesn’t matter.” The skyscraper has received pushback from community members as well.

Mayor Jorge Elorza has said he’s open to the change, but that he has questions about the Hope Tower’s design.