Thayer was initially designated in 1799 as Cross Street.[1] In 1823, the street's name was changed to Thayer after Dr. Williams Thayer, great-great-grandson of Roger Williams.[1] It was once the home to the Thayer Street Grammar School (built in 1866–1867), located at the corner of Thayer and Meeting streets.[2]
Neighborhood information
Thayer Street is located in the College Hill neighborhood on the East Side of Providence. Some Brown University student housing and academic buildings are on Thayer Street.
Starting in the mid-2000s, there has been a general increase in the proportion of Thayer Street businesses that serve food.[3] Neighborhood residents and some other community members argue that landlords should try to lease space to retail stores instead of new restaurants. This preference is due in part to the limited parking currently available on College Hill. City zoning regulations require far fewer off-street parking spaces for retail businesses than for restaurants. Residents also complain of noise late at night and the College Hill Neighborhood Association, an organization representing College Hill residents, generally fights against applications for liquor licenses on Thayer Street.[4]
^Park, Jennifer (January 20, 2007). "Thayer Street to be revitalized this summer". Brown Daily Herald. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved 2008-02-11. Some merchants said they fear the street is becoming less unique. Sachdev supports the renovations, but he expressed concerns that the street is "becoming more and more food, more and more restaurants," a trend that does not represent the "best use of the street