New Haven Independent

Posted by: charlie | August 11, 2006 5:30 PM

Is Walgreen's really going to build something pedestrian friendly, i.e., right up against the street with windows and parking behind the building, or are they just going to add a couple of fake "aesthetic" bricks to the front and build another version of the new Walgreen's on York Street?

Posted by: THREEFIFTHS | August 11, 2006 8:22 PM

Beware Smell The Mackerel, This is the First Step
Toward Eminem Domain!!!!

Posted by: Rose | August 12, 2006 1:30 PM

Shiela Masterson is a dedicated individual, with untold expertise in this neighborhood, No one but her, should be allowed to put a plan in place. Inexperienced people with no knowledge of New Haven, as Ms. Murphy has described herself, should be givne any credit

Posted by: Robn | August 13, 2006 11:19 PM

The city should not only consider requireing bar security screens (as opposed to paque metal roll down doors) but also that the screens are installed inside the face of glass so that it doesn't appear at all to be barricaded. It makes a big perceptual difference and makes neighborhoods feel safer.

Posted by: Ned | August 14, 2006 8:07 AM

How about a median with some trees? Mid-block crosswalks where pedestrians can actually stop traffic in order to cross safely; the blocks on Whalley are too long, and the street is too wide for pedestrians. How about a busway down the center with well designed shelters? How about bicycle lanes? Look at Curitiba, Brazil for some creative, economical solutions. The "artist's" rendering above fails to take into account the fact that business don't usually want trees blocking their store fronts/signage.

Posted by: nfjanette | August 14, 2006 11:50 AM

Walgreen's has been willing to work with the neighborhood association up to a point. There has to be an expectation of balance: no vendor is going to be told exactly how to plan their investment, but there can be certain parameters set by zoning that establish the "ground rules". We should be cheering that Walgreen's is motivated to clean up that blighted block - anything will be better, whether or no it's built next to the sidewalk.

Posted by: ? | August 14, 2006 2:18 PM

Walgreens will do anything they can to obtain a desired market.
We should absolutely be demanding all that we can from them as they have the capability to deliver.
Take a look at Walgreens in Old Saybrook or Grenwich. Towns with much smaller populations are getting a much better product.
If we show that we need anything less than what Walgreens is capable of delivering, than we are selling New Haven and the Wahlley Neighborhood short.
Whalley is the busiest street in one of the busiest cities in CT. We don't deserve better, we deserve the best.

Posted by: charlie | August 14, 2006 7:26 PM

I agree with ? - I think the city is selling out by not forcing developers/Walgreen's to build something that is an asset to the tens of thousands of people who live in that neighborhood. And if Walgreen's didn't want to upgrade, I can guarantee that CVS, RiteAid or a local pharmacist would.

Posted by: Melissa Bailey | August 14, 2006 9:36 PM

Note on Walgreen's: At neighbors' request, the developer has agreed to shift the proposed Walgreen's facade so that it faces Whalley, not Ellsworth. A further negotiation to pull the building forward so it sits right next to the sidewalk is still in the works — Karyn Gilvarg expressed optimism that the pedestrian-friendly change would be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Posted by: nfjanette | August 14, 2006 11:17 PM

Exactly the point: Walgreen's has already modified their original plans - they may not be willing to be dragged over the coals forever. Pie in the sky citizens advocates need a strong dose of reality check in these matters - there are limits. In the meantime, those of us in the immediate area continue to suffer from the current blighted property while others push for 100% of their agenda rather than settling for 80% and declaring victory. One in the hand is most definitely worth two in the bush in this case. The Board of Zoning Appeals is not doing us a favor holding this up.

Posted by: ? | August 28, 2006 8:25 PM

Janette,
Though I typically agree with you,
We are talking about Walgreens.
Do some research as to the requests that other towns have place on the chains such as these.
If you build a CVS in Old Saybrook, you will be building a stone building. Check out the deailed brick work($$$$) on the Walgreens in East Lime vs. the cookie cutter box we get on the New Stores in New Haven county.
We do need to demand 100% from these stores and make our sacrifices with local businesses who can only afford 80%.
I understand that there will probably never be a local pharmacy that threatens Walgreens again, but drive down Whalley and tell me if you ever think twice about going into CVS (not exactly 100% what New Haven needed) before Walgreens.
There are major upgrades that this Walgreens needs to achieve their numbers, this is not just a gift to New Haven.

Posted by: Chip Croft | August 29, 2006 7:52 PM

Funny, in all this nobody mentioned who might own the new businesses along Whalley. Since a very high percentage of the current shoppers in that area are people of color there should be a major emphasis on having "minority" owned businesses along the "new" Whalley. A major effort should be made to recruit and incubate such buinesses and be required in any development plan.