As part of a large-scale downtown revitalization project, developers approached the city of Providence to demolish several 19th century mill buildings and build a shopping center. Officials, however, met opposition from community members who voiced their disapproval of the proposal to replace the city’s historic mills with a strip mall. After much protest and negotiation with the developers, the project was revised. The new plan was to restore four of the red-brick buildings and incorporate more of a mill “look” in the new developments.