New Haven Independent

Panel Probes Youth-Oriented Development

by Leonard J. Honeyman | May 12, 2009 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Could there be a space for young people to congregate at the Landino condo tower? Or in Science Park?

Those questions arose at the city’s Development Commission monthly meeting Tuesday, where commissioners considered how the city can incorporate youth programming into economic development plans. Some commissioners, who could not take a vote because they lacked a quorum, stayed well past the regular meeting time searching for answers.

Led by aldermanic representative Frances “Bitsie” Clark, and former Fair Haven Heights Alderwoman Shirley Ellis-West, a wide-ranging discussion hit on many ideas and searched for a way to get started.

“The kids don’t have a place to congregate,” said Clark, who also is the chair of the aldermanic Youth Committee. “The kids say you took away the [Chapel Square] mall,” she said. Everybody remembers a kind of safe place where you could learn the skills young people need to survive, a place you can hang out, she said.

The discussion with Ellis-West pointing out the lack of a roller rink in New Haven. One woman’s quest to build one in 2007 drew wide support, but was voted down by the city for lack of a business plan. Ellis-West said she goes to Waterbury to skate. “It’s not that huge of a building,” she said of the Waterbury facility.

City Deputy Economic Development Administrator Chrissy Bonanno said the problem is “finding someone who can make the investment needed and operate” the facility.

“It wouldn’t hurt to have a conversation” about this subject, Ellis-West said. “Youth-oriented things can also be an economic driver. It’s something that can make money,” she said.

“We have to develop a community will,” said downtown alderwoman Clark. “Those of us who are involved with youth have to help develop a community will,” she said.

Commissioners said they knew of places like the Navy Pier in Chicago, Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and Chelsea Piers in New York City that are successful developments and “are packed” with youths, spending money and hanging out.

Some of the places in New Haven that had potential for youth activity were the Landino property at College and Crown streets, the property at 91 Shelton Ave. that already has a climbing wall operated by the CT Rock Gym, as well as other Science Park sites. The commissioners said they were just kicking around names and said the property owners may have other plans for the sites.

Commissioner Ryan Munden, who is a Boy Scout leader, said all the scouts in his troop seemed to be interested in is “video games, skateboarding and basketball.” He said once he convinces them to go camping, however, they have a great time.

“You have to bring it up, constantly bringing it up where ever you are,” Clark said. The subjects of youth and development just might end up sparking a conversation, she said.

Asked about the next step, Bonanno said there could be a few next steps, such as putting together materials to show prospective developers.

“How do you send out an invitation? Who do you get to come to this meeting,” Clark asked. She said she and other commissioners would reach to city and private youth workers for ideas and participation in the eventual meetings.

“We have to get youths to come in, tell us what they want,” Munden said.

Clark said it would interesting to develop a spreadsheet that had on it the things that there are to do in New Haven. People are always complaining about not having anything to do, and then we show them all the things there are to do in New Haven, she said.

Bonanno and Munden said it was important to “share information the way that kids do.” Both said that youths no longer use email, but use Twitter and texting to communicate among themselves.

“We have to, instead of wanting them to adapt to our way of communicating, we have to adapt to their way. It would be of service to those interested in leasing these spaces to let them know how to communicate with youths,” Bonanno said.

Youths could learn about what was going on and adults could find out how to communicate with them. “That could be a way to begin,” Clark said.

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Comments

Posted by: ms.mary | May 12, 2009 4:50 PM

I totally agree with this talk,a couple of years ago the alderman held a youth forum at the Fair Haven Library inviting a huge number of youth to talk about ideas that they had,things they liked to do,places to go,and the response from the kids was amazing.We need to do this again only this time follow thru..............

Posted by: Rachel | May 12, 2009 6:19 PM

I applaud Bitsie Clark and all the commissioners for thinking about what youth need and how to listen to them and involve them in planning. I am sure there are many great youth-serving programs who would welcome commissioners to come and meet with their youth to talk about this. We all want youth to be successful and stay out of trouble and we need to support this truly.

Posted by: Whatsername | May 12, 2009 7:24 PM

Forums have been held. It's not rocket science to understand what kids want--they want a place where their parents/grandparents/guardians are okay with them convening (unlike the Gotham all-ages night, which is skeevy in concept and skeevier in execution) and where they can flirt with each other, use computers, play video games, hang out with each other, buy the hot new thing, dance, eat a jillion candy bars, french fries (and hopefully fruit salad), watch a movie, get a part-time job. They're kids and they need safe places to be. They need accessible places on the bus line. They need affordable places, because they aren't rolling in loot, just babysitting money and their wages from retail or fast food joints. They need places where they are looked at like a consumer, not a potential criminal. They need an indoor skate park and skate rink. They just want to have fun. They need a place with regulations and a policy for throwing out troublemakers. Economic development without including youth is counter-productive, but if you're going to ask kids what they want, be prepared to listen. And you can't just ask the kids with good grades--you have to ask EVERYONE. You want to talk to my kids in my afterschool program? They'll tell you what's what. That's why I love them. And I wish I could provide some of these types of places, but we are still responsible for them in a way that doesn't allow us to furnish certain options for youth. I hope this takes off!

Posted by: jackie | May 12, 2009 7:38 PM

"We have to, instead of wanting them to adapt to our way of communicating, we have to adapt to their way."

With respect, I don't understand why Ms. Bonanno would advocate the use of illegal firearms.

Posted by: Whatsername | May 12, 2009 7:54 PM

Jackie,

I understand you're trying to be funny, but the humor is lost on me. Or maybe you're not trying to be funny, but I'm going to assume that you are, because it makes me a little sick to think you're dead serious.

Please do not assume that every child and youth communicates with an illegal firearm. It's offensive to youth who are working to do good things in this city, to study hard and graduate, to grow up and be positive members of society. It's offensive to those of us who work with city kids to develop and support them so they don't turn to violence and other criminal activity.

Yes, there are some youth who make a poor representation for their peers. But to pigeon-hole every New Haven child and youth into the category of violent criminal is wrong and not funny.

Posted by: Sharon | May 13, 2009 7:03 PM

Hello,
Question how many youth were at this meeting. Still ... why do adults know what is best for our youth anywhere. Where are the statistics? Where are the minutes to the youth discussions? WE NEED SOMETHING IN WRITING... YOUTH WRITE ... YOUTH ARE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS...YOUTH DO AND CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Has anyone published the url for the Mayors Summer Guide? How about calling 211 and are the youth programs in their data banks? Call 203-789-8336 and get information on activities events. Check out CWYC.org

Posted by: robn | May 14, 2009 5:55 PM

When I was a kid, I rode my bike around town, visited my friends houses, played outdoor sports, used school pools when they were available for public swim and if I had any money, caught a movie. Aren't all of these things available in New Haven? Don't we have one of the biggest park systems in the country proportional to our city size? Just askin.

Panel Probes Youth-Oriented Development

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