Patriots receiver Danny Amendola installed a temporary carport outside of his Providence, Rhode Island home, and it’s causing controversy in the neighborhood.
New England winters can be unforgiving, and Amendola doesn’t want to be late for a Bill Belichick practice, so he applied to the city so he could erect the metal carport until February. However, Amendola lives in the College Hill Historic District, known for its picturesque scenery. Neighbors feel that the temporary metal carport is an eyesore that detracts from the rest of the area.
Here’s a look at the offending carport.
The offensive carport of Danny Amendola pic.twitter.com/3chxKLZQvs
— Greg Hill (@GregHillWAAF) January 7, 2016
“It’s a simple utilitarian structure, but if you had tons of these around the neighborhood, it would significantly detract from the historic quality and aesthetic appearance of the Benefit Street neighborhood,” Tim More, a resident for 45 years, told the Associated Press.
Other residents agreed. Ray Rickman, who has lived in the neighborhood for 31 years, called the carport a “minor sin,” though he admitted that it can be difficult to get out of the neighborhood in heavy snows. Rickman said there were other solutions such as using snow removal equipment. He also suggested that Amendola hire a snow removal service.
Still, Rickman hopes Amendola stays in the neighborhood, admitting it’s cool to have a celebrity living nearby. He admitted, though, “I think it would be cooler if Tom Brady lived here. I would offer to help him shovel his snow.”
Amendola refused comment when asked by the AP. Hard to blame him. Perhaps it looks worse in person or with more context, but that’s hardly the most offensive eyesore I’ve ever seen in a neighborhood. Besides, you can hardly blame him for not wanting to be late for practices, given Belichick is pretty ruthless and doesn’t accept excuses, whether you’re a young player or an established superstar.
