Providence, RI — Concerns are mounting among the long-standing tenants of Atlantic Mills, a pivotal cultural and artistic center in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood, as they brace for potential displacement due to the impending sale of the building. The tenants, many of whom are artists and small business owners, fear the new owners could increase rents and evict those who are currently behind on payments, threatening the existence of a historic hub that has supported cultural and artistic endeavors for decades.
Atlantic Mills, known for its rich history of nurturing notable artists like Shepherd Fairey and Kara Walker, is also home to Providence’s oldest and longest-running flea market, Big Top Flea. The market, a vibrant weekend destination, draws visitors and vendors from across the region, adding a unique cultural layer to the community’s fabric.
Tenants have voiced that the building’s affordable rents have been crucial in maintaining the artistic and cultural vibrancy of the area. However, developers Eric Edelman and Bob Berle, who are in the process of acquiring Atlantic Mills, have indicated that they will be offering new leases only to tenants in good standing who do not have active leases once the purchase is finalized.
In an attempt to protect their space and rights, the tenants have formed a commercial tenants’ union, although such unions lack the legal protections available to workers’ unions. Despite their efforts, the buyers reportedly declined to recognize the union during a recent meeting, raising concerns about the tenants’ leverage and future in the building.
Adding to the tenants’ unease, a new management company, Acropolis Management Services, has been enlisted by the sellers to oversee the property’s operations. According to Edelman, this company has been tasked with enhancing the professionalism of property management, including addressing maintenance requests and improving communication with tenants. Edelman defends the decision to retain Acropolis, highlighting their efficiency in handling tenants who have defaulted on rent for extensive periods.
The strategic shifts and increased evictions have triggered fears of erasure of a communal legacy. Lu Heintz, an artist at the WARP collective studio in Atlantic Mills, stressed the building’s significance extends beyond its walls to the surrounding Olneyville and all of Providence, describing it as a “total cultural hub.”
Cindy Miranda, a board member for the Olneyville Neighborhood Association, also emphasized the building’s central role in fostering a connected, multicultural community. Atlantic Mills hosts essential services including English as a second language classes and citizenship courses, which Miranda pointed to as vital for the integration and empowerment of the Latino community in Providence.
In response to the looming changes, tenants are planning to ramp up their efforts to garner political support, continue protests — like the recent one near Berle’s office in Wayland Square — and are considering legal representation to fortify their standing.
While the buyers maintain that they are endeavoring to engage the community in good faith, the tenants of Atlantic Mills are gearing up for a fight to preserve the ethos and accessibility of a space that has long served as a cradle for artistic and cultural expression in Providence.
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