New Haven Independent

Posted by: DowntownNewHaven | May 6, 2008 2:13 PM

If the city were more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, parking would be much less of an issue.

Safe, smooth, convenient, and well-marked bicycle and walking routes into Downtown New Haven from all of the surrounding neighborhoods and towns could easily bring in thousands of commuters and shoppers per day to downtown, alleviating the need for parking and saving people thousands of dollars per year in transportation and parking costs (money that they could use to buy beads, school supplies, or meals at downtown restaurants).

This is how other great world cities work, why not New Haven? Unfortunately, the state of Connecticut spends 36% of its transportation budget expanding existing roads (like the Q Bridge) and less than 1% on bicycle or pedestrian access. Of course, it also spends very little making the CT Transit bus system user-friendly (e.g., with signals telling you when the next bus will arrive). Until that equation changes, there is little that we can do to reduce our dependence on private automobiles.

Posted by: Ned | May 6, 2008 3:24 PM

There is no parking on Audubon between Whitney and Orange Sts. Also, why would anyone walk down this street? - it looks inviting, but let's see, at the end of the block is a public housing project and a sprawling, gated surface parking lot surrounded by a spiked, black aluminum fence, ACES and (yet) another school - none of these places are going to generate retail sales. Half a block away, Trumbull St. and Orange St. are converted into extended highway entrance ramps, at 5:00pm (towing enforced - unless you're a man of gawd...), so that the suburbanites can all flee New Haven. The pedestrian alley/Lincoln St., looks inviting - oops - leads nowhere but to more rear lots, and the pedestrian impassable mid-block Trumbull St. pedestrian roulette death crossing zone. What's that? I can't hear you over the traffic and the fumes are making me ill. No parking on Orange St. either, but if you miss the parking garage entrance, you can drive around the block - again and again, and again...

Posted by: king james v | May 6, 2008 3:29 PM

Correction, if there were Better, nay, SOME parking on audubon (like there is on Guilford's green) some of us may just get out and pop in, however, the only parking is bogarted by the Elite Arts Class folk, hence, no regular new haven car drining folk coming down to buy your wares.
Use your brains to think with and your hearts to pump blood.
Go Yankees!!

Posted by: Uncle Nunzio | May 6, 2008 3:47 PM

It's unfortunate to see small businesses close. However, the Audubon area isn't conducive to retail stores. Most of the foot traffic in that area comes between working hours. Generally, people who are working aren't shopping during this time. Not many Yale students make the trip down to the area, and they are gone in the summertime. So, after 5pm, the area is dead. There is no reason for people to come down to the area after work hours, unless they are going to Anna Liffy's to drink. It's a very challenging area for retail shop to sustain their business.

In addition, with the University moving a large majority of IT and Administrative employees down to Science Park, it's going to decrease the potential foot traffic during work hours in the area.

Posted by: muffy | May 6, 2008 5:14 PM

HEY! westville could use a bead store! come to westville! there are a few retail spaces available, and one right across from Edgewood Park, where the CitySeed farmer's market is in the summer. Tons of families in this neighborhood would like to have a bead store, and/or a paint your own pottery store! C'mon! call 215-5170 for more info!!

Posted by: pedro | May 6, 2008 5:16 PM

That are really is a bit of a dead area in the evening, Gourmet Heaven and Anna Liffeys excepted. Hopefully the new Moes will succeed bringing more people downtown.
Those 3 area could probably be converted into more dinner restaurants or lunch places. There is certainly enough daytime traffic for more eateries I think. A bar or other type of casual restaurant would also bring more people down there.
And don't forget Koffee! It's been there for years and has been doing fine! So there IS a critical mass of people to support restaurants and eateries, but not really one to support niche boutiques, who would probably do better closer to downtown.

Posted by: david streever | May 6, 2008 6:23 PM

I think you need 12 stores there all at the same time--not 2-3 that come & go--if it will ever make it. Right now, there is little draw or appeal to going over there, unless you live in East Rock or nearby.

Posted by: che15 | May 6, 2008 10:47 PM

the stores were lame, no offense to the owners and workers. not to mention people in new haven are lazy just take a look at all the double parked cars when all one would have to do is drive a block and find a parking lot.

Posted by: yeswecan | May 6, 2008 11:35 PM

Audubon retail has been underused since I came to town twelve years ago. Sure, parking is a problem. But bottom line, wouldn't lower rents keep the retail space full?

Posted by: Ben | May 7, 2008 11:18 AM

I concur with "those stores were lame."
That is an area filled with young professionals and students. How about a boutique clothing store with hipper clothing than Sogno?
How about an art supply store? (The market is right there.)
These artsy fartsy new age stores appeal to the store owners and their friends(who probably live in guilford). No one else.
What about a hip shoe store, like Thom Brown, but with better selection?
What about a little music store for classical instruments?

Posted by: Emily | May 7, 2008 4:16 PM

I agree with Che15-- though I wouldn't say the stores were lame, rather, the demand was not there. (By the way, Ben, there is a music store for classical instruments that's been around for 30 years plus... Foundry Music Co.) About Moe's... it will be fine because it's a chain and like Roly Poly it is is primarily located in the south and serves fresh, fast food, which people love. However, if I owned the Whole Enchilada I'd be worried.

Posted by: david streever | May 7, 2008 5:05 PM

I agree Ben... bead stores are cool and all, but I don't think that was a great location for them.

I do think you need a critical mass of stores--you need a draw--just like the fast food companies do when they open a new restaurant. "Burger King, Wendy's, and KFC are there... let's drop our McDonald's right here." They pick a spot where there are already several stores. It seems to make sense!

Posted by: jade | May 7, 2008 8:55 PM

ben, david...bead stores ROCK!!! :) but i agree with muffy...BEAD HIVE...COME TO WESTVILLE !!! don't be doody heads. i couldn't care less about bicycles, but i don't call you lame. dorks! love ya!!

Posted by: abg22 | May 9, 2008 12:17 AM

the stores were doing a reasonable business, just not enough to pay yale's inflated "market price" rent - and sadly yale wouldn't cut them a break to promote independent business... further evidence that new haven needs a strong independent business support network. maybe if the Doodle were to move onto audubon it would revitalize the whole area... hey it's an idea

Posted by: EarlyBird | May 9, 2008 8:30 AM

I think the architecture of that block contributes...it is uniformly uninviting and sterile. Would the condo association there allow some variety, ie awnings, bay windows?

Posted by: david streever | May 10, 2008 9:24 AM

I didn't call them lame! I just said it's probably not a good location for a bead store--I actually said they are COOL!!! :) And they are, but my imagination says that they have more people driving to them than walking, if they are sucessful, and that is an awful place to drive to.