New Haven Independent

Posted by: TrueBlueCT | April 11, 2007 1:38 PM

It's at times like these that you wish the city just had millions in grant money to throw at these problems.

Right now, One Grand is an eyesore. And it could stay that way for years and years and years.

Personally, I don't like the developer's proposal, but is it better to compromise to get the building alive, (and fully on the tax rolls), than to have it sit empty waiting for a commercial use that might, or might not, materialize?

It's a judgement call. And the only thing for certain is that given New Haven, there will be a multitude of opinions!

Posted by: D E Zakur | April 11, 2007 2:07 PM

As a neighbor of 1 Grand Ave who owns an historic home, I am acutely aware of what it takes to restore an antique home in the current era. My wife and I have restored a neighborhood eyesore with an eye towards preservation, all the while using many current methods and materials. It's not inexpensive, but it can be done. The outcome blends seamlessly into the context of the neighborhood and does not detract from this historical place in Fair Haven. What Mr. Vieau seeks to do is to rework a commercial building into something that it was never designed to be, a residential building. While not enlarging the footprint, he seeks to remove the roof and enlarge the third floor, removing historical details of the building which give it proper scale to the lot in which it sits, and proper scale into the neighborhood in which it stands. Having spent a great deal of time in the Warner building with a previous owner, I know first hand that the commercial space on the ground floor has been a vibrant meeting place for neighborhood residents and community alike. The balance of commerce on both sides of the river is key in this historical neighborhood to promote a lively, walkable community for all. What Mr. Vieau slates to do is to have this historic, commercial building turn its back on the very corner on which it stands, a gateway to Fair Haven, not for the many, but for the few. As a neighbor, Mr. Vieau has been approached by the Quinnipiac River Community Group who sought to unite community in welcoming a new member to our ranks. What we have gotten in return is a slum lord who has made a mess of the property, left windows and roof hatches open to the elements, refused to shovel sidewalks in the winter leaving pedestrians to navigate the street, removed historic windows and left others in disrepair. Having attended last nights meeting, I am distrought at the idea of both the Independent and Mr. Vieau even mentioning housing for the disabled. If Mr. Vieau even cares for the disabled, he will want to create housing that is both structurully sound and vibrantly alive as part of a neighborhood and greater community. This can be accomplished in the existing space, while keeping the first floor level open to business, the neighborhood and the greater good of Fair Haven as it has been since 1885.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | April 11, 2007 3:05 PM

Just a thought and I am sure I am not the only one to think of it. But do you think they even have intentions of expanding it or are they hoping the at the start of the expantion something will make the building unsafe and they will have to take it down all together. Isn't that more or less the only way to be able to knock over an historical building.
ok ok me and my wild ideas.... I am so glad to see so many fighting for this building!! How many of us new haveners have drove by that building and gazed in wonder at the giant clock. It is a building that should be treated with respect a building that holds so many memmoryys for so many people.

I hope the BZA does the right thing

Posted by: charlie | April 11, 2007 8:13 PM

This building is a gem that needs to be preserved as a historical asset and treated with care. It should have been moved to the rolls of historic structures long ago.

If the State actually cared about our well-being, they would step in with some grant money for restoration. But instead they are spending hundreds of millions of dollars building ugly highways that will be obsolete in five years. Call your State rep and protest this waste.

Posted by: jackie | April 11, 2007 9:27 PM

I found D.E. Zakur's comments illuminating: you can tell so much about a property owner by his past record -- not shoveling snow, not keeping up the building, not having a good record with his business of setting up "sober houses". I'm a bit wary of any "sober house", but some are well run and an asset to the neighborhood. I know, because a relative of mine set up two, and the guys living there have made their immediate neighborhoods safer and more stable. But that occurs only when the sober house is legitimate and well run. I don't trust this particular owner and his proposal for the Warner building one bit! We should fight this.

Posted by: MARYROSARIO | April 11, 2007 9:35 PM

right on charlie!!!!!!!!CALL ON OUR STATE PEOPLE
that building should be used as a teaching tool to help our children learn about the historic waterfront and the history of fair haven.keep fighting i am sure a grant will happen if you dont let it be taken over.

Posted by: Chris | April 11, 2007 9:57 PM

TrueblueCt- you fell for one of David's crafty tricks. He deliberately undressed the building so folks will say " By God its a mess, anything is better" A year ago it looked respectable, 3 years ago it was fully commercial on the first floor with an artistic carpentry shop. The carpenter made and lived in a beautiful apartment on the second. And Cedarhill you are not far off either- Mr Viaeu has gutted the building including the fire sprinkler system, left windows and roof hatches open, and has no heat, or security system. Most call that demo by neglect, created nuisance, or a huge slap in the face to those that care about the Grand Ol Lady on the Q.

Posted by: FAIRhaven | April 12, 2007 9:24 AM

My husband and I have attended all of the public proceedings on this matter, and we have tried to keep an open mind to Mr. Vieau and his project, and hoped that a reasonable compromise could be reached.

Those hopes were dashed on Monday night. Not only has Mr. Vieau demonstrated contempt for this community at every turn, he shamefully accused us of opposing his project because he runs sober houses. To be exact, he said that we opposed his project because we oppose people with disabilities.

That accusation was shocking and misleading. First, this community is filled with people who devote themselves to the caring professions, and other sober houses operate here in harmony. Second, Mr. Vieau has denied any plans to turn One Grand into a sober house. We have taken him at his word, and that issue has never arisen during the community's opposition to his plans. His comments only underscore that he's never taken seriously the community's legitimate concerns about historical and neighborhood character. Third, even if the community's opposition stemmed from fear that Mr. Vieau will turn One Grand into a sober house (which is *not* the cause for opposition), that opposition would be justified. Just as he has been a terrible steward for One Grand, and there are serious concerns about his stewardship of his three sober houses and its residents.

Sadly, this New Haven Register article seems to tell a similar story of profit-seeking and broken promises.
http://www.nhregister.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13948625&BRD=1281&PAG=461&dept_id=517515&rfi=8

This debate should focus on perserving the historical and community character of a beloved neighborhood landmark.

I hope the commission will see through Mr. Vieau's crocodile tears.

Posted by: charlie | April 12, 2007 3:39 PM

Chris, if what you say is true, Mr Vieau needs to be carted off to jail. Someone needs to write a law that prevents demolition by neglect of historic structures. And there needs to be a way to designate this building more clearly as a historical asset. Just think of the other buildings in Fair Haven that are historic, yet that might be threatened by an unscrupulous developer.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | April 15, 2007 12:22 PM

Was there not a building downtown that this just happened to??? the owner just let it get in such disrepair that they just resently knock it down.

Just by the photo in this artical the building looks far worse than it did in the fall. Do the zoning people watch for things like this? Do they fine people for allowing Historical buildings do rot? Can the historical socity of New Haven do something???

Posted by: ericaholahan | April 16, 2007 9:04 AM

This is a fantastic debate, and it is has been a real eye-opener for me in terrms of my own prejudices about neighborhood property battles. This could be a great educational tool for young people, and the site would make a great historical/local environmental musem, performance space, bookstore, gallery, or cafe.

Unfortunately, the saftey concerns as the building stands right now are real. I live a stone's throw from this building, and I often walk right in front of it with my daughter. It sounds like I should no longer do that. It's true that laws are being broken, and the city/state should wake up to that. We as neighbors must make that happen. I think the next step is a serious letter-writing campaign, and some meetings with our state reps-Marty Looney and Bob Megna.

I would like to reach out to David Vieau as well-I, too, originally thought this debate was about keeping people in recovery out of the neighborhood. It is not. We are here already, on the streets, in private homes, and in half-way houses. Safe, well-run transitional housing is welcome here. Why not come back to the table with us?