Show up! Thu, Nov. 12 · 6:30 PM Show up! Thursday, Nov. 12 · 6:30 PM · Cranston City Hall

Details
The Shriners' animated LED sign glowing white against a dark Broad Street at night.

You can make this billboard

Go away

An animated LED sign with no proper permit. An outdoor bar and patio with none at all. The City cited them. The sign stayed on

ZBR-26-48Zoning Board Review

Thursday, Nov. 12

6:30 PM

Cranston City Hall • 869 Park Ave

The Shriners want the sign and the bar made permanent. Be in the room and tell the board to deny it.

Show up
Through the panes of a front window, across Broad Street: the Shriners' sign glowing bright red against a dark brick building.
A living room at night: light flooding in around white curtains and a tall window.

01  /  The neighbors

Their sign.Our windows.

Read the letter · Apr. 2A neighbor’s letter to the City

Shining into a home

02  /  The sign

Too big.No permit.

This isn’t about the Shriners. They do real good for kids’ health care. It’s about the size of the sign, and the permits skipped.

  • WhatStatus
  • SignPermit issued in error. Application incomplete.
  • LED panelNot allowed by right. Needs the Zoning Board.
  • Patio & barNo permit at all. Also violates their liquor license.
  • Other LED signsThree in four approved with conditions break them, per a City survey. Neighbors can’t get the City to respond.
6 SECan image at its fastest19 PROPERTIESin the glareCITEDby the City on June 22NO PERMITfor the patio or bar<100 FTfrom the nearest homePOLICEcalled by neighbors750 FThow far away the sign can be seen3 IN 4approved LED signs break their conditions

It’s not just a sign

An LED screen can show anything

Actual screens from the Shriners’ signScreens from the Shriners' LED sign: a welcome message, a clown-unit speedway night, a comedy night with a cash bar, St. Patrick's Day food and beer, and a chopstick auction.
  • Anything goesA different ad every 6 secs
  • Distracts driversBright lights on a busy Broad St
  • Shines into homes19 properties caught in the glare

03  /  On the record

The words. The City’s actions.

What was said at the June 15 council meeting, and what the City did about it.

Frank DiMascio, secretary of the RI Shriners Charitable Trust, speaking at City Council
Frank DiMascio · for the Shriners

If the Village wants us to turn the sign off, then the City should turn off all the streetlights.

From the Council summary of his testimony
The Shriners' own permit drawing of the sign, printed as a cyanotype: 75 inches wide, 100 inches tall to grade.
Fact check33.33 ft2Permit drawing: 75″ wide, 100″ tall. The limit here is 6 ft2
Nicole Renzulli, Mayor's Communications Director, speaking at City Council
City of Cranston

Cited.

“For putting up the sign without approval.”

Nicole Renzulli, Mayor’s Communications Director
The City of Cranston's second and final notice of violation to the Shriners, June 22, 2026.
The citationSecond and final notice of violationCity of Cranston · June 22, 2026
Frank DiMascio · Shriners

The sign is less than 16 square feet in area.

Nicole Renzulli · City of Cranston

Cited “for putting up the sign without approval.”

The paperwork

Keep the village Historic

04  /  Show up

Show up

Thursday, Nov. 12
6:30 PM

Cranston City Hall869 Park AvenueZoning Board Review Case ZBR‑26‑48

The board votes on who shows up. Bring one person. A full room gets read as a neighborhood, not a few complainers.

Add it to your calendar