April 2010 We are deep into design development - preparing the plans that show how the building will be built, what materials we will use, and the details of the finished product. This is a complicated process as the NEW Pat's Power Equipment will be a large building with multiple uses. There will be a large retail space, three new services bays, a parts and service counter, and ample storage for new equipment and equipment that is in for repair. We have been meeting with the RI State Fire Marshall to discuss what construction methods will achieve the required fire safety rating and meeting with manufacturers to look at different building products.
December 2009 We appeared before the Zoning Board to request a Special Use Permit, and set back variances. We received three variances and are moving forward with design development and construction documents. November 2009 We presented our plans for Pat's Power Equipment at a Public Hearing
before the Charlestown Planning Commission and have received
conditional approval and a letter to the Zoning Board recommending that
the project be granted a Special Use Permit.
October 2009 We have been working through numerous revisions and are presenting our proposed design at a Public Hearing before the Charlestown Planning Commission on October 28, 2009. In approaching the design of new retail space and renovation of the existing building we have had three primary goals. - To create a store that will better serve Pat's customers and employees.
- To dramatically reduce the amount of equipment stored outdoors.
- To develop a plan that makes use of the existing building, is financially viable, and will be appreciated by the local community.
Below is the north elevation, from Old Post Road.
May 2009 Pat's Power Equipment has served commercial landscapers and homeowners since 1986 when Pat and his dog Radar started the business. The current showroom was previously The Ranch, a bar and dance hall serving Navy airmen (including former President George H. W. Bush) from Charlestown's Naval Air Station. Times have changed, Pat's business has grown, and we are working with Pat and his staff to design a new showroom and reconfigure the existing buildings. 
Pat's Power Equipment is located in Charlestown's Traditional Village District and one of the challenges we face is how to minimize the amount of equipment that is stored outside. Another challenge is how to reconfigure the driveway and parking areas to serve homeowners, commercial landscapers, recreational vehicles, and delivery trucks that range from UPS trucks to 53' tractor trailers. We've developed a site plan that will create two entrances - one for homeowners and small trucks, and one for commercial landscapers' vehicles and large delivery trucks. We've also developed an activity chart that we are using to plan the flow of work and are testing out our ideas by constructing scale models.  By reconfiguring the the use of the existing building, constructing a new showroom, and developing two separate entrances and parking areas, we will drastically reduce the amount of equipment stored outside and bettter serve Pat's customers.
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