Press Releases

Relocating to Olneyville section of Providence after 30 years on historic East Side

 

After months of planning, United Way of Rhode Island is making final preparations to relocate its headquarters from Wayland Square on the East Side of Providence to the newly renovated Calender Mills building in the Olneyville Section of the Capital City.

 

“We’ve been here for 30 years,” said UWRI Vice President of Operations Angelo Miccoli who is leading the relocation efforts. “It has taken us weeks just to go through all the boxes and files we’ve accumulated over that time.”

 

United Way hired BetterShred, a recycling business operated by the Cranston ARC, to dispose of unneeded material. UWRI staffers filled dozens of “chewies” — the nickname given disposal bins after an employee contest to name the containers. “Once the retention and destruction process began in earnest, “chewies” were a very valuable commodity,” Voccio said.

 

Walsh Movers was retained for the task of actually moving the offices and their contents. “We’re pleased that in hiring Walsh Movers, we have the opportunity to support breast cancer research,” said Hank Sennott, UWRI’s Vice President of Communications.” Walsh donates a portion of the proceeds from the rental of “Pink Crates” used to pack items to support efforts to find a cure.

 

While United Way staffers have been busy preparing to leave Wayland Square, their new home in Olneyville has been a hub of activity as developers Struever Brothers Eccles & Rouse and numerous sub contractors complete the renovation of what was once part of the former Providence Bleaching, Dyeing and Calendering Company, most of which has become The Plant.

 

The original building dates back to around 1845. The Patent Calender Company was established 1814 and was one of the first textile finishing companies in Providence.

 

Participants in the YouthBuild program are assisting in the completion of the project by installing office furniture. YouthBuild is an alternative education and workforce-development program located in Olneyville that helps high school dropouts gain the literacy and job-readiness skills needed to make a successful transition into the workforce.

 

“This has been a great opportunity for our students,” said Andrew Cortes, Program Director of YouthBuild. “It shows once again that United Way is interested in being a partner, not just a funder.”

 

United Way has also been assisted in designing and preparing the new offices by Vision 3 Architects of Providence, and building and construction consultants Peregrine Group LLC of Rumford. “When we announced our intention to move, our stated goal was to relocate to an area where we could help serve as a catalyst in revitalizing a neighborhood,” said UWRI President and CEO Anthony Maione. “We believe we’re meeting that objective in relocating our headquarters to Olneyville. This is a concrete example of our commitment to having impact in the community.

 

“We have enjoyed being a part of the Wayland Square neighborhood for the past 30 years and are looking forward to being active members of the Olneyville community in the years ahead.”