New Haven Independent

Posted by: Esbe | February 15, 2008 4:22 PM

I would have thought that this project was too small and too speculative to attract Forest City. It is a good sign about the project that they are interested.

I have noticed that folks complain about all developers. If local, then they are obviously political cronies and the process is corrupt. If not local, then we are turning over the city to out of town millionaires who don't care about us.

Perhaps we can be glad that someone wants to invest private money in a very run-down area.

Posted by: pedro | February 15, 2008 4:36 PM

It is a very exciting move. That area, with Yale moving a massive amount of workers in kitty corner across the street is poised to really jump forward. A mixed use development by a premier developer will definitely help.
Here is a Forest City mixed-use development up in Cambridge, MA. It would be fantastic if something like that could come to new haven.

http://www.forestcity.net/PROPERTIES/university-park-at-mit.asp

Posted by: charlie | February 15, 2008 4:49 PM

I agree, Esbe. We can all agree that this new project should NOT contain any subsidized housing. Compared with other communities, New Haven already has way, way more than its fair share. New Haven needs to build its tax base not only by focusing on attracting private development that creates well-paying jobs, densifies the city, and allows local residents to get to work without using ridiculously costly private automobiles (which is the only thing that would truly make our city more "affordable"), but also by eliminating at least 2/3rds of the subsidized units already in our city (ideally replacing them with property that produces higher tax revenue & jobs) and asking suburban towns to pick up some of the slack.

Posted by: Nestor Makhno | February 16, 2008 2:55 AM

If urban planning theorists are to be believed, in order for an area to thrive, it needs a certain amount of nightlife to attract professionals. Luckily Cardinals and the Ebony Lounge are within walking distance. And while it might require a secret knock, I think the nearby Taurus Cafe is still operating, too. The neighborhood does not have a lot to offer, but at least there are a couple of established places.

Posted by: Fedupwithliberals | February 16, 2008 8:34 AM

I agree with Charlie. Last thing that people who invested in multifamily homes in this city need is more housing to add to the soft rental market. Do you not already see "For Rent" signs popping up all over the place in what used to be stable neighborhoods? This mayor had better care more about homeowners who face oppressive property taxes and foreclosure every week than to faceless developers who could give a crap.

Posted by: bugupit | February 16, 2008 9:03 AM

Charlie, no, we cannot all agree with your Katrina-like plans. But it is a starting point for conversation. What if, for once, Corp Counsel actually won a lawsuit and it forced suburban towns to "pick up some of the slack" --- wold you approve of that government action?

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 16, 2008 9:06 AM

In a hard to sell area, I to am glad that this is happening over there. I think the mixed use will help that corner in a great way (make it more marketable). Although ESBE I think a local developer would of meant more local jobs to the deveopment site, and money made would be spent in the area. But as you stated damed if you do, damed if you don't. One thing that Someone brought up in another artical (can't remember which one) All this new rental property is hurting local home owners rent there apartments. So I hope that with all this new deveopment that we have the people wanting to rent. Someone else brought up the fact that young prfessionals will want to move in...do they want to rent or own?? If they want to rent then we are fine but if they want to own, then surounding town will reap the tax dollars. I know people hate the words condos or co-ops but these two word to me say grand list.

Posted by: WEBblog 1 | February 16, 2008 12:00 PM

All of this sounds good, but if it sounds too good to be true... then it is.

The fact is that Kelly Murphy had recently. negotiated a sale for this building to an out of town manufacturer and failed to "close the deal".

This new proposal is inconsistent with the long ago developed NewHallville Housing and Economic plan which now sits in a dust bowl in the offices of Murphy and Karen Gilvarg, City Plan Director.

In the plan this building was to be redesigned for manufacturing, while the corridor of Winchester Ave. to Bassett st. is designed for acquisition demolition and new construction of 45-55 new single family houses.

Just six months ago, and reported in the NHI, a former New York Giant football player, who own a three story vacant eyesore two buildings up and diagonally across Munson st. was turned down by Andy Rizzo and livable cities for renewal assistance to rehab his building for residential use. That building is in the NewHallville plan, but the city does not see fit to institute the plan for his proposal.

This new proposal sounds more like "bait and switch", if the old plan won't fly, switch to plan..
whatever.

Posted by: JT | February 17, 2008 10:51 AM

I think is is fantastic news. As for those who fear what increases in rental properties will do to existing multi-family property owners, I think it will force them to take better care of thier property. While it is true, you do see more "for rent" signs, you do not see them on homes that are cared for. Making rentals more attractive only benefits everyone involved.

Posted by: cedarhillresident | February 17, 2008 1:53 PM

JT
although you make a good point and maybe it may impove things,,,,but the less desirable propertys are more affordable and are not having a problem renting. It is the nicer parts of the city that are. Now that may be just a side effect of the economy and the fact that landlords have been forced to raise there rents due to the escalading taxs in New Haven. But when doing these types of projects I really feel that the effects it has on the city as a whole should alway be taken into concideration.
And don't get e wrong I am 100% for this development. Just adding so other thoughts into the mix.

Posted by: DingDong | February 17, 2008 5:29 PM

It's great that this is being built right along the Farmington Canal Trail, which is poised to become a great way for people to commute downtown, once the City finishes it. (And what is taking so long, one wonders?)

But with the large influx of residents and workers in this area, the City better seriously consider improving the public transportation here too. Sleepy Winchester Ave doesn't want hundreds more cars every day.... Was that streetcar the city is studying supposed to run around here?

Posted by: OH WELL | February 17, 2008 9:49 PM

Do you Rember the fight why the bus stops were moved?
Do you remember why Winchester Ave was closed for so many year's?

Do you know who NEW HAVEN trying to attract to the stores that sell Shoes and Sweater's for $250.00 and by the way these two stores went out of business.Can you the people that live in this City go down town and purchase an item for your child to go to school? Would this be the type of store that the average working class tax payer in the city shop for clothing.
Am in for development and welcome tax dollars.

Posted by: OH WELL | February 17, 2008 10:14 PM

I heard that 2 project's will be going on in science park one will be a parking garage with a few attached stores.and 500-800 spaces for cars.

The other is the project that will be a 275 Winchester Ave?

The other building what's with the new Winchester Building that many people wish could draw someone's interest to get jobs for this area. With all the other little offices and what going on with at&t are they going to stay in the park since they are down sizing .This is going to really be something which way will the traffic be directed ?fastest way to get there. this will be Asthma City look out Dixwell/Newhalle
forget Eastrock here comes the ccccaaaaaarrrrssss

Posted by: Chuck | February 18, 2008 11:29 AM

Responding to Esbe's comment--

"I have noticed that folks complain about all developers. If local, then they are obviously political cronies and the process is corrupt. If not local, then we are turning over the city to out of town millionaires who don't care about us."

Just wanted to add, FWIW...Cleveland's history makes this developer local, in a sense. Part of Connecticut's Western Reserve; best of both worlds!

Posted by: KG | March 5, 2008 9:51 AM

Considering the abundant supply of housing in the area, I hope Forest City focuses uses that will draw people and money to the neighborhood. Consider their Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, NY (http://www.forestcity.net/PROPERTIES/atlantic-terminal.asp). We're not talking a mega-mall like the one formerly proposed at Long Wharf - but a smaller collection of stores that won't compete or take away from downtown and will provide jobs and tax revenues for the city and this neighborhood.