 | |
| Former name(s) | Exchange Place |
|---|---|
| Area | 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) |
| Location | Downtown Providence |
| Coordinates | 41°49′30″N 71°24′42″W / 41.82494°N 71.41161°W |
Kennedy Plaza, formerly Exchange Place, Exchange Terrace, or City Hall Park, is a rectangular public square that occupies a central portion of Downtown Providence, Rhode Island. Since the mid 19th century, the plaza has served as a civic and transportation hub.[1]
Today, Kennedy Plaza is bounded by Exchange Street to the northeast, Fulton Street to the southeast, Dorrance Street to the southwest, and Washington Street to the northwest. The plaza's northeastern and southwestern extremities are capped by three civic structures: City Hall, the Federal Building, and the John O. Pastore Federal Building. To the southeast of the plaza is a row of skyscrapers which comprise the central structures of the city's skyline. Northeast of the plaza are Burnside Park and Union Station.
In 2003, Kennedy Plaza was described by architectural historian Wm. McKenzie Woodward as "[T]he city's most constantly reworked space ... [which] is now virtually a large al fresco bus station. ... Ultimately transcending its flaws, Kennedy Plaza is a compelling open space enhanced by and enhancing some of the city's best buildings."[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
thepolisblog.orgwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Woodward, Wm. McKenzie (2003). PPS/AIAri Guide to Providence Architecture. Photography by William Jagger Photography (1st ed.). Providence, Rhode Island: Providence Preservation Society and American Institute of Architects Rhode Island Chapter. pp. 97–98. ISBN 0-9742847-0-X.