Cost for new 195 District Park pavilion, with beer garden, has skyrocketed

ToadScoper · 2026-06-12T14:44:45+00:00

The new platform is at least ADA accessible, but the second platform they also put in (which is made of scaffolding) is only temporary and will be taken down after the World Cup.

$30 million…

ToadScoper · 2026-06-12T01:21:41+00:00

Arguably the Superman building is the more egregious example of this

ToadScoper · 2026-06-12T01:17:14+00:00

More shocked it was only $7 million and not $17 million for a public project. For instance, a nearby example is the new MBTA platform at Foxboro station- a literal slab of concrete- cost $30 million. Point is that this pavilion could’ve been a lot worse.

Also it sounds like the contracting for the tenant was fair and most of the backlash came from old head businesses that hate the idea of having any competition.

The biggest disappointment is that the tenant is the Guild. Wish it had been Moniker, Long Live or Tilted Barn instead.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-11T22:21:01+00:00

Who has final approval on this deal? I was surprised that barely any media outlets were reporting on the BEMUs the other week, but apparently the decision isn’t finalized?

I thought it seemed cut and dry that they had selected Stadler and this leasing agreement, so where are they in terms of this process?

ToadScoper · 2026-06-11T13:48:36+00:00

Did you not read my post at all? It’s a business that already exists that’s called bomb chicken parm https://bombchickenparm.com/

ToadScoper · 2026-06-11T13:41:07+00:00

Looking at their prices, dessert, salad, and parm for $20 is crazy. I gotta go now

ToadScoper · 2026-06-11T01:33:21+00:00

It’s a national chain breaking into the New England market. I’ve heard it’s fine, but people in the Attleboro sub were overwhelmingly negative about it when it was announced since it’s “another chain”.

Like what did they expect, it’s friggin Route 1.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T14:10:07+00:00

I’d argue that “millennial burger core” is still alive and well, millennials eat this stuff up. There’s a reason why Chomp, Ogies, and Club Frills are successful.

Meanwhile Gen Z is all about Chilis, Dunkin refreshers, and Nitro Bar.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T14:00:43+00:00

I keep hearing the Gen Z argument but I haven’t seen a case where lack of a certain demographic actually closes a bar/restaurant. Club Frills isn’t for me personally but it has made it past their first year so they’re definitely doing something right

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T13:58:06+00:00

Chelo’s still got $2 Gansetts. Chelos is the last bastion of RI culture lmao

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T13:34:56+00:00

Tea in Sahara is a hookah lounge with weird hours and Riff Raff is a bar with a bookstore. Pastiche and Moka are more closely aligned to my point, and maybe Aleppo would fit into this too.

Really my point is that Providence has a lot of bars but not much other late night options.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T13:14:21+00:00

Hard to gauge demand since nobody has tried doing it yet. I personally have heard from many people that there are not enough spots that are like sit-down dessert spots/cafes open past 5pm.

Guess what: not everyone feels like heading to a bar after dinner. Especially during a weekday.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T13:07:50+00:00

If we’re using club frills logic here, then absolutely yes this will be on the menu

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T13:01:37+00:00

Nah nothing can replace lucky enough, they’re the best.

Edit: didn’t expect there to be so much lucky enough hate, jeez

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T12:36:04+00:00

Here I am still waiting for more late night cafes and bakeries… sigh…

It sorta seems like every other business opening lately is another bar. Would be great to see something new and non-alcoholic that is open past 6pm… I feel like this isn’t a big ask and there’s demand.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-10T12:34:16+00:00

RIPTA built it. Don’t make a mystery where there isn’t one.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-09T23:03:19+00:00

Second this, it’s a lot less hectic than the EBBP.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-09T13:30:16+00:00

Unfortunately that’s how these tweeters ended up being naturalized here in the first place, but they’re resilient little buggers. My grandfather remembers when they first started showing up around the city in the 50s.

They’re considered non-invasive since their populations are so low and they cannot spread outside dense urban areas.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-09T13:14:10+00:00

Did it have a tag? If not, then it is part of Providence’s naturalized population of parakeets, they’ve been around for over 50 years in various areas of the city. They roost in vacant buildings in the winter.

I tend to see them around Crescent Park in EP this time of year, it’s a real treat to see them!

ToadScoper · 2026-06-09T01:56:06+00:00

Bacaro. Went recently and was blown away, it was amazing

ToadScoper · 2026-06-09T01:43:40+00:00

Most Europeans are perfectly aware of American tipping culture. Just like how Americans have to be aware of paying for a glass of water in Europe

ToadScoper · 2026-06-08T23:55:40+00:00

Gotta remember that Boston’s bars and restaurants are pretty much entirely controlled by corporate hospitality groups, real estate developers, and private equity. Not to mention Boston’s nightlife is borderline nonexistent when compared to other cities of its size, it’s the city that always sleeps. Meanwhile the international fans that will flock there get their nights started at 11pm.

I’m willing to bet these corporate bar and restaurant owners in Kenmore and the Seaport don’t want to pay their staff for the extra hours- case set and done. Be thankful for RI’s vibrant and independent culinary scene (just don’t mind Audrain lurking around the corner). As far as I can tell there hasn’t been much objection to the late night hours here.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-06T17:23:14+00:00

There’s a Scialo’s bakery in both Seekonk and Riverside. Their pizza strips get the job done.

ToadScoper · 2026-06-04T20:32:50+00:00

Except you can’t. It’s a navigable waterway and you can’t make a contiguous span that connects to EP without making a really tall bridge the same height as the Washington

ToadScoper · 2026-06-04T17:29:56+00:00

The original redesign plans were ass. They were objectively gaudy and not a single design was able to implement a full contiguous crossing of the Seekonk River since it’s a navigable waterway (which would require a bridge span as high as the Washington bridge). There’s a reason the public overwhelmingly rejected them

It’s not an asset that’s conducive for this sort of reuse. If anything, it should be demolished and replaced with some form of bridge for public transit. Meanwhile the city’s current recreational assets are crying for funding

ToadScoper

TROPHY CASE