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Ribbon-cutting Marks $2.6 Million Rehab
Posted: 2006-08-24



NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (Aug. 18, 2006) – State and local officials today cut the ribbon on the $2.6 million rehabilitation of the former Driftwood Apartments, which was once threatened with conversion to high-priced condominiums.

Re-named Water’s Edge, the 32-unit development will remain affordable for 40 years. Residents will pay just 30 percent of their income for rent thanks to federal rental subsidies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rhode Island Housing approved the $5.7 million financing package that enabled the Boston-based Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) to buy and rehabilitate the property after the previous owner had proposed demolishing the apartments to make way for condos. The decision protected 32 apartments in a town where just 2.75 percent of the housing is affordable.

“POAH is dedicated to the long-term ownership and operation of properties like Water’s Edge,” said the organization’s president, Amy Anthony.

Nation Wide Construction of North Smithfield, R.I., was the general
contractor and Mostue & Associates of Somerville, Ma., was the architect. The renovations focused on securing the building envelope, which involved everything from sealing the crawl spaces to removing asbestos to installing new roofs.

Every apartment received new windows and flooring; more than half also received kitchen and bathroom upgrades. Two units were made accessible to handicapped individuals. Exterior paint and landscaping have beautified the property and made the development more visually appealing both to tenants and neighbors.

Located at 130 Caswell St., Water’s Edge has 8 studio, 16 1-bedroom, 6 2-bedroom and 2 3-bedroom apartments.

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NWC a winner in Rhode Island Monthly’s Design Awards Competition
Posted: December 27, 2005



Nation Wide Construction has been recognized for their expertise in architectural restoration by taking a coveted Design Award in Rhode Island Monthly’s Annual Design Competition.

The project, completed in 2004 for Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services, involved the renovation of fourteen historic buildings, plus construction of another, in the South Elmwood district of Providence. Exterior restorations were completed in accordance with U.S. Department of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, with careful recreations of original architectural elements. A total of forty-seven affordable rental and for-sale housing units were created, in gracious and functional structures that are once again an asset to the community.

The Design Awards Competition, sponsored annually by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, recognizes excellence and expertise in the construction industry, with awards in various categories and specialties. In naming NWC as this year’s winner in the commercial construction/renovation category, the competition jury observed, “Beneficial for the city as well as the individuals and families who live here, the Adelaide Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization should make everyone proud.”

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2004 Partners-In-Housing Awards; Gov. Carcieri recognizes NWC
Posted: April 22, 2005



At a State House ceremony on February 15, 2005, Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri presented Rhode Island Housing's "Partners-in-Housing" Private Sector Award to NWC president Al Valliere. The award recognizes NWC's expertise in architectural restoration and historic rehabilitation at the Melrose Apartments and Elmwood Neighborhood Revitalization II projects in Providence. Working with David Presbrey Architects, Providence, NWC transformed a collection of rundown but historic homes into several dozen lead-safe, affordable apartments.

Addressing NWC and other honorees, Governor Carcieri noted that, "The work of today's award recipients represents millions of dollars of investment in our state. I applaud each of you for your outstanding efforts in enhancing the quality of life in our state."

Richard Godfrey, executive director of Rhode Island Housing, the state's principal housing agency, added, "These winners have been instrumental in building housing, creating housing-related programs, or helping others solve housing problems. It is a remarkable group that has achieved remarkable results".

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City of Providence honored for Elmwood rehabilitation project
Providence Journal, January 31, 2005

The Melrose Preservation Project, for which NWC was recently commended, also received national recognition, when Providence mayor David Cicilline accepted an award given by the National Community Development Association to the city and the Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Group. The NCDA, in giving the award, cited the project as an "exemplary affordable housing project".

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NWC receives 2004 Affirmative Action Award
Posted: April 22, 2005

The Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corp. recently presented its 2004 Affirmative Action Award to NWC, in recognition of the company's efforts to engage a high level of minority participation in two projects located in Providence's west end. The projects, Elmwood Revitalization and Melrose Preservation, resulted in the creation of 95 moderate income residential units.

Reflecting on the award, NWC president Al Valliere observed, "We are extremely proud to be chosen for recognition for our work by the RIH. Our interest in neighborhood revitalization goes beyond our technical expertise in restoration and construction. Projects like these take place in the context of a larger community, and we're committed to engaging the resources of the community to the greatest extent possible".