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Location DB > United States > Rhode Island > Providence > Police & Fire Headquarters
 Name
Police & Fire Headquarters
 Viewing Options
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 Database Info
created by Anonymous on 10/17/2005 2:48 AM
last modified by Anonymous on 9/25/2008 1:47 PM
 Viewability
Publically Viewable Publically Viewable
This location has been labeled as Demolished, and therefore can be viewed by anyone.
 Overview
 Description
** This site is not to be confused with the "Providence Public Safety Complex" on Washington St, which is the new home of the Providence Police and Fire department. So, don't charge into the Washington St complex with all your urbex gear, because they'll shoot you.

Simple concrete faced building, deco style. Five floors, with basements, holding cells, evidence and weapons lockers, offices, offices, more offices, a courtroom, records storage, internal infrastructure, multiple stairwells and plenty of official police business. The building is constructed in a sort of "C" shape with two stairwells in the main section, and a smaller set of stairs leading to the basement holding cells. A hallway runs through the long part of the building, past offices, to larger utility spaces at the north-east side of the building (courtroom, detention blocks, small kitchens), while the other end of the hallway hooks around toward nests of offices and storage space.
The large basement levels, which include access to the three massive garage doors at street level, sub basements and infrastructure rooms are very dark, and contain the dismantled Gravity Games skatepark, and a hot dog cart.
From most accounts, the building was a wretched mess before the city workers vacated it. There are "out of order" signs on just about everything, chipping paint, evidence of attempted repair jobs, water damage that's obviously more than three years old, broken locks and a weapons locker with instructions to ask the sergeant before entering- written in sharpie.
Above the ground levels, the windows are not boarded up, and the building drips, groans and closes doors with a little help from the weather. From inside most of the offices, its possible to see and here what's going on in the busy streets outside. Much of the top floor and basement are water damaged, and most hallways have plenty of soggy ceiling tiles to stomp through.

** Regarding Access! This location has a few ways in, whatever... Remember that this building is in downtown. Do not make your entry conspicuous, do not go near the windows, do not use flashlights at night, do not make noise on the first few floors or by open windows, and DO NOT go onto the roof. You are surrounded by the civic center, a hotel, two apartment buildings, two office buildings. Even after entry is achieved, you are not necessarily safe once inside. This is a "will prosecute" situation, Providence is full of jerks, the new police station is right up the street, and a major development corporation has just expressed interest in the property.
Also, there is evidence of squatters living in the building for prolonged periods of time and some of the doors are still accessible to the police with the right keypad code so they can easily enter the building.
 Basic Information
Type: Building
Status: Demolished
Accessibility: Difficult
Recommendation: check it out if you're nearby
 Physical Information
Address

Providence, Rhode Island
United States
Owner: City of Providence
  • See a map of this location
  •  Hazards
  • asbestos
  • rust
  • unsafe flooring
  • water
  • Filthy detention cells. Discarded police gear. Crackheads.
  •  Interesting Features
    Multiple floors of offices.
    Holding cells.
    Evidence lockers.
    Official paperwork.
    Decent size- five floors, basements, and roof access.
    Gravity Games skatepark stored in basement.
    Internal infrastructure access.
    Courtroom.
    Disabled security system, with cameras.
    Fireman's living quarters.
    Plenty of booze and porn.
     Security Measures
  • fences
  • locked gates
  • wooden boarding
  • Busy Location. Outdoor Police Patrols. "Will Prosecute" situation. Lot used for civic center event parking.
  •  Historical Dates
    Built: 1940
    Closed: 2002
     Required Equipment
  • flashlight
  • breathing mask
  • gloves
  • long pants / sleeves
  •  Recommended Equipment
    Hand Sanitizer, Camera, Boots
     History
    Varying reports put this building's initial construction at 1940 or 1960(s). Built for the Providence Police and Fire Departments, complete with temporary record storage, holding cells and traffic court.
    While active the building fell into disrepair, and after a 1997 proposal, ground broke on the 11,984.5m2, $32 million dollar Providence Safety Complex (completed with all union labor!). The Providence Police and Fire departments vacated the old headquarters in the spring/summer of 2002.

    The Procaccianti Group announced that they were after the rights to the building in August 2005. And were granted redevelopment rights in December.

    http://www.artinru...cay/policestation/
    http://www.wpri.co...47204&nav=F2DOdZSN
     Media Coverage
    Vincent A. Cianci Jr., Mayor. September 3, 1997, Press Release: http://www.provide...fety_facility.html

    WPRI 12 News: Procaccianti Group seeks development rights: http://www.wpri.co...47204&nav=F2DOdZSN
     Future Plans
    Demolition was announced (in '98) for Feb 1999. But, the new public safety complex wasn't completed, and hey.. its still here.

    The Procaccianti Group sought development rights in August 2005, and were granted permission in December to construct condos on the site.

    This location is becoming an increasingly common topic in the city's redevelopment discussions. Although it's just an estimation, we'll probably see this location under construction no later than May 2006.
     Stories


    Add your own story
     Photo Galleries
    Click to view gallery
    Access: 2005.10.16
    Sun, Oct 16th, 2005
    posted by ian_evil
    20 pictures
    Click to view gallery
    Access: 2005.12.19
    Wed, Dec 21st, 2005
    posted by ian_evil
    26 pictures


    Add your own photos

    Mark all galleries as Seen
     Panoramas

    Long View At Dusk
    Sun, Oct 16th, 2005
    posted by ian_evil


    Courtroom
    Sun, Oct 16th, 2005
    posted by ian_evil
     Web Links
    History of the City: http://www.provide...ry/centuries2.html
     Contribute

    Edit this Location
     Moderator Rating
    The moderator rating is a neutral rating of the content quality, photography, and coolness of this location.

    This location has not yet been rated by a moderator.
     Validation
    This location's validation is current. It was last validated by TurboZutek on 9/25/2008 5:18 PM.

     Latest Changes
  • on Sep 25 08 at 17:18, Anonymous validated this location
  • on Sep 25 08 at 13:47, Anonymous changed the following: Publically Viewable, Status
  • on Feb 19 06 at 15:57, Anonymous changed the following: Display Name, Street Address, Latitude, Longitude, Co-ordinate Accuracy, Accessibility, Recommendation, Security Measures, Required Equipment, Web Links
  • on Dec 21 05 at 7:43, Anonymous changed the following: History, Accessibility, Interesting Features, Future Plans
  • on Dec 21 05 at 7:39, Anonymous updated gallery picture PPAF_121905[26]post.jpg
  • on Dec 21 05 at 7:39, Anonymous updated gallery picture PPAF_121905[25].JPG
  • on Dec 21 05 at 7:37, Anonymous updated gallery picture PPAF_121905[24].JPG
  • on Dec 21 05 at 7:37, Anonymous updated gallery picture PPAF_121905[23].JPG
  • on Dec 21 05 at 7:36, Anonymous updated gallery picture PPAF_121905[22].JPG
  • on Dec 21 05 at 7:35, Anonymous updated gallery picture PPAF_121905[21].JPG
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