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Finance committee approves $21,000 storage contract for historic furniture collection
Summary
Providence City Committee on Finance approved a $21,000 contract for continued storage of a historic furniture collection that has been at Jones Storage for roughly 27 years; Christie's 2010 appraisal cited in the record.
The Providence City Committee on Finance voted to approve a contract to cover storage charges for a historic furniture collection now held at Jones Storage, a motion the committee approved unanimously at its April 29 meeting.
The motion, recorded as agenda item 1, authorizes payment of $21,000 for building and storage services in the Department of Parks. Chairwoman Melanie Anthony called the item and the committee moved, seconded and voted in favor. The motion was made on the floor by Councilor Graham and seconded by Councilor Taylor.
Committee members and the presenter described the collection as the furniture from the Eas(y) Kaufman House on Admiral Street that was placed into climate-controlled storage roughly 27 years ago during house renovations. The presenter said the pieces have been held at Jones Storage in a climate-controlled unit and that the vendor had not invoiced the city consistently in recent years; the current invoice covers back charges tied to that period.
Committee discussion noted a 2010 appraisal by Christie's (provided as an exhibit) that placed the collection's value at about $270,000 at that time. Committee members asked whether the public would be able to view the collection; staff said the items remain in storage and are not currently on public display. Staff described possible future uses that had been discussed, including returning items for use in restoration of the Eas(y) Kaufman House, loans to Rhode Island School of Design or exhibits in local museums, and coordination with the Providence Preservation Society on training and restoration work.
Committee members also noted that moving the collection to a different climate-controlled facility would be cost-prohibitive and that continuing the existing storage arrangement was the most practical option for now. The motion passed with all members voting in favor and no opposition recorded.
The committee advanced the item without amendment. No public comment or formal opposition to the contract was recorded on the transcript.
The approval authorizes the department to pay the outstanding storage charges and continue the storage agreement per the approved contract.
