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- DSA Newsletter #3:
DSA Newsletter #3:
New multifamily projects approved, Awesome Local Zoning Changes and Exciting ADU News!
David Sisson
April 23, 2025
Hello and Happy Spring!
We hope this finds all our clients, friends, family, colleagues, partners and followers well! DSA HQ is buzzing with excitement as we enter the nice weather with many new projects permitted and even more in design. We are currently helping our clients through various stages of projects from many new-construction apartment buildings, adaptive-reuse conversions and renovations and tons of accessory dwelling units, to a rehabilitation center addition and many commercial and mixed-use projects in RI and MA.
Exciting new developments have occurred since we last updated you, including new zoning changes that will have an enormous impact in property owners, developers and the housing market and BIG things we are thrilled to announce regarding ADUs.
We are excited to share this report and provide additional value to our community. Emails like this are sent out periodically to share project updates, industry and local news that may impact you, our perspective on market conditions, development opportunities, trends, FAQ, upcoming events, great causes we support and more.
We hope you’ll find this helpful and interesting, so give it a quick read and share it with anyone you think will find it useful. To reach us you can simply reply to this email with comments or questions, we’d love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
The DSA Team
What you'll find in this newsletter:
BIG ADU News!
A new 1,200 sq ft detached ADU designed for a 3-unit property in Providence.
After supporting legislative efforts for the past several years in Rhode Island for accessory dwelling units to be permitted by-right, we were thrilled when the RI state law finally changed in 2024 and then MA state law followed this past February.
We believe accessory dwelling units are an incredible tool to be used to add quality housing units to the market quickly, to provide more housing freedom to families, to allow cash-strapped property owners the option to create an additional source of income and to give aging seniors a better option to stay in their properties and age-in-place.
Since 2024 we have been putting the new ADU laws into practice, testing the legal interpretations of local municipalities, and producing quality ADU designs for our clients at David Sisson Architecture.
But we wanted a dedicated home for our ADU design work. We envisioned a new brand that would help us spread the message and educate property owners about ADUs.
So we are thrilled to officially introduce our new sister company:
blue ADU aims to inform and educate property owners about Accessory Dwelling Units. Offering a free ADU Property Analysis, we help homeowners determine their available options for building a legal ADU and provide information that will help owners decide if an ADU is the right choice for them.
If an ADU is the best choice to help an owner reach their housing or financial goals, blue ADU provides experienced design and project management services to bring the ADU to life and keep the process efficient and smooth.
Visit www.blue-ADU.com to learn more about ADUs, see recent ADUs of all kinds that we’ve designed, and request a free Property Analysis Report for your property!
Our Recently Approved Projects
128 Wayland Apartments - Providence, RI
A new 5-story modern mixed-use development featuring 23 residential units and 1 commercial unit on the ground level.
The Sentry Apartments - East Providence, RI
Adaptive reuse project converting an abandoned assisted living facility in East Providence, RI to 26 residential units, including a mix of studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedroom units.
551 Chalkstone Apartments - Providence, RI
A new 5-story modern mixed-use development featuring 23 residential units and 1 commercial unit on the ground level, including a mix of studios, one-bedroom and two-bed units.
Recent Publication
Observatory House showcased in Rhode Island Monthly’s January Issue
Industry News
So long to PVD’s R-2 zone!
On March 20, 2025 a much anticipated zoning ordinance amendment received final passage from the Providence City Council. The amendment marks significant changes to the zoning map and regulations that the Council has passed in accordance with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan.
Some of the biggest changes include the elimination of the R-2 zone, the C-1 zone and the Capital Center Special Development District. Properties in the former R-2 zone have joined the R-3 zone, and C-1 has now been merged with C-2.
The C-1 to C-2 rezone adds 5 feet of potential height to the dimensional standards and also adds a variety of permitted uses. The change of R-2 lots to R-3 creates a great opportunity for property owners and developers to take advantage of the updated ADU law. For existing 3-unit buildings in an R-3 zone, owners can now add a 4th unit in many cases. For existing 2-unit buildings in an R-3 zone, owners can potentially add 2 more units. And for existing single family homes in an R-3 zone, the property could be added on to or replaced to fit 4 total units on the lot.
In some ways, Providence has made it even easier to develop ADUs by eliminating the parking requirement, and requiring only 1 parking space per non-ADU unit. They did add some new challenges to accessory building height that can make it a challenge to fit a 2 story ADU on tighter lots. We can help to assess the site plan and design an ADU that maximizes the use of the lot or achieve other goals an owner may have.
More news that could impact development.
By the Numbers
325,000 - The estimated number of housing units that are needed in RI, MA and CT.
193 - The number of new apartments that our firm currently has in design in Rhode Island.
20% - The percentage of homes in New England that meet the needs of aging seniors.
61% - The amount of ADUs that are developed for multi-generational living.
12 - The number of recent Accessory Dwelling Unit projects that you can go check out now on www.blue-ADU.com !
Market Insight
Q2 2025 Quick Market Update
While legislative efforts to increase housing supply have started to take shape, the impact likely won’t be felt in Rhode Island or Massachusetts for some time. Home prices are up nearly 7% since February of 2024. Newly listed homes was down over 8% in February, and the overall lack of supply remains flat.
Adaptive reuse laws in Rhode Island continue to present great opportunity with an eased path to approval. Unused, underused or abandoned buildings can be found throughout the state. Developers with a vision can take advantage.
Land costs being significant, accessory dwelling units now being permitted throughout RI and MA, and areas like Providence, RI and Cambridge, MA taking action to invite the development of more multifamily housing, real estate investors and homeowners alike have the chance to develop units on land that is already owned. In Providence, a single family home in a formerly R2 zone could now potentially receive an additional 3 units. Multifamily investors with unused garages, basements and attics, or larger lots can focus on maximizing their current portfolios with zero added land costs.
We’ve heard of some fear in the market over the current economic climate, and yet we are busier than ever. Experienced developers we work with continue to look for value-add opportunities. Homeowners continue to take advantage of home equity and upgrade their properties instead of moving. And we have also been impressed by the number of new commercial businesses that continue to start up, from salons and gyms to restaurants and daycares.
Have a question about your home, building or a development?
Just reply to this email and we’ll reach out to help.
Non-Profit News
We are proud supporters of the ACE Mentor Program of Rhode Island and perhaps you could be too!
The ACE Mentor Program RI is one of over 75 affiliated national programs with the ACE Mentor Program of America. The organization seeks to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry.
You can visit www.ACEMentorRI.org to learn more and there is an upcoming event if you’d like to see first hand what the young students are getting out of the program.
Upcoming ACE RI Local Events
Awards and Annual Fundraiser - 5/15 @ The Guild in Pawtucket, RI |
Open Golf Outing - 5/15 @ Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, RI |
Other local events to check out…
May 21, 2025 - Triple Decker Forever
Presented by the Providence Preservation Society, celebrating the history of the classic type of multifamily housing we see throughout New England. Click HERE for more details.
June 7, 2025 - Wooden Window Maintenance Workshop
Presented by the Providence Preservation Society. Click HERE for more details.
If you know someone who might find this information helpful, please forward it to them!