"Not Dead Yet"

              As I’m sure you have read seen in the newspaper Providence is on a path to bankruptcy. Bankruptcy has affected cities from Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the capital of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg. Harrisburg is an interesting case, being a state capital that has barely anything going for it. Providence, on the other hand, is a state capital that has quite a lot going for it.

Restaurant Row - Harrisburg, PA

 I visited Harrisburg a couple of years ago and its condition really struck me, not believing for a second it was the capital. My family and I stayed at a hotel right on “Restaurant Row”, a street filled with scary looking bars and Cash 4 Gold stores. Being the main street in the capital of the state, one would expect a little more than this. Remember, this was before the city declared bankruptcy. With Providence facing potential bankruptcy in early summer, we don't see anything nearly as bad. Providence continues to have great streets, neighborhoods, and great food as well as other attractions.

Wickenden Street - Providence, RI

          I'm not trying to trash Harrisburg, but instead to instill a little hope for Providence. Providence has restaurants, businesses, and attractions that can help make itself a stronger city, getting Providence back on its feet. While Providence has a little going for it, Harrisburg is lacking. With little reason to visit and many destructive decisions, Harrisburg is not doing so well. The weekend I was in Harrisburg there was a beer festival going on, drawing in people just long enough to get drunk. Not the sign of a flourishing city. On the other hand Providence doesn’t need cheap alcohol to get attention. Drawing people to Federal Hill, Wickenden St., Thayer St., and Downtown for great food and great nightlife. 

          Even though Providence is on the brink of bankruptcy, it is not the only city. With restaurants filling up, and no tumbleweed in sight, Providence is still fighting. Considering Rhode Island is one of the smallest states one would expect Providence to be doing a little worse than the capital of Pennsylvania. I don't mean to offend anyone from PA and I certainly hope HodgePodgeHarrisburg doesn't come after me, but Providence still has a change to get back on its feet. 

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