$50M Building OK’d For College & George

Interesting. I wonder how many spaces there are in the Pro-Park lot that's getting swallowed up by this, which won't be available to the public anymore. I think it used to be TK's or something?

I recently noticed a notice for a zoning hearing post at the Free Skool, located on the corner of Crown and College. I had assumed it was for some expansion of the existing storefronts, since this proposed development has been MIA for many years. Guess I was wrong in my assumption, or else the lines have gotten crossed. .

Great news! More housing, more tax base, adding to the skyline. I think this is good for our city all around!

This is indeed good news and it's exactly what should have been built across the street and around the corner where Gateway is.

Projects like this are a testament of the groundwork that the Economic Development team of the city has been laying during the past several years.
There are now 3, and possibly large market-rate residential developments that are being built without a penny of city or state money-
205 Church Street, (100 units)
Chapel and Howe (136 units)
Crown and College (160 units)

There is also Winchester Lofts (158 units) which wil be getting public money, and the project at Lawrence and State in the former Star Supply building, which will might have 250 units if built as proposed.

And we are not even talking about the Coliseum project or the future of Church Street South!

People need to understand, this is a HUGE, HUGE deal that this is happening. Mayoral candidates, are you listening? This is what actual New Haven renaissance looks like. This is what happens when you don't have a political Economic Development team, and when you stand behind anchor projects like 360 State and 100 College Street. Congratulations to Kelly Murphy and Tony Bialecki and team for letting the groundwork to now actually have projects that are moving along under their own steam. This is not happening in every regional city, far from it.

The next mayor needs to use this model- a dedicated, non-political staff who do their best for this city.

The building in the photo is the People's Art Collective of New Haven, an important cultural center for our community. Many events take place there every week that bring together people from different social backgrounds. It plays a crucial role in the cultural vibrancy of the city. This would be a huge mistake and a terrible loss for everyone if this demolition goes through.

Further, participants in the People's Art Collective were never notified of the construction plans. There was never any consultation with the community.

We need a loud public reaction against this plan. We need to come together and fight for this space.

Demianwolf, are you serious?

You want to hold up development of a space that has lain empty for years, a HUGE space, just so one organization that occupies a tiny fraction of it won't have to move?

First, this space is crazy underused. To choke off half a city block for this small space is not sounds reasoning.

Second, I highly doubt that whoever is allowing People's Art Collective of New Haven to use/lease that space is going to allow it to be held hostage.

You would be much better served by engaging the developer to help find a new space...or talking to similarly-minded places like The Grove or Make Haven to help find a new home. Or whoever is doing all the empty storefront stuff.

I agree with Pedro that New Haven is rapidly revitalizing - just like many other dense urban core areas, e.g., Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, DC. But I hope the Mayoral candidates question whether City Hall staff can take credit for that, or whether a more accurate assessment would show that they are getting in the way, for example by continuing to prioritize parking lots, car traffic, chain stores with blank facades, and neighborhood demolition over the more organic factors that are truly driving revitalization.

Furthermore, any objective assessment would find that many of the "new" building projects in New Haven are absolute planning and architectural disasters, which will dampen revitalization and raise local crime rates for generations to come.

The projects Pedro lists haven't actually moved forward yet. I'm excited that they will. But over the past 20 years, dozens of large projects have been proposed in New Haven, and only a tiny proportion of them have actually happened. New Haven would be in even better shape than it is now if the City and State had done more to foster high-quality development.

What community spaces are the developers planning? Is this development going to foster connections across boundaries of race, class or sexual orientation? Are they going to support local artists and musicians? Will there be any way to interact with this development without reaching for your wallet?

The People's Arts Collective stands to be razed by this plan. Over the past year, PAC has flowered into a beautiful community space, home to so many innovative efforts.

From the 'Free Skool', to the youth LGBT space, as well as countless art and music events, PAC has been the greatest thing to happen to downtown New Haven in quite awhile. I doubt the developers have given much thought to the important cultural work and consciousness raising they are about to destroy...

The space has not "lain empty" for years: two of its storefronts were converted into the People's Arts Collective last summer. If such a remarkable space for community members to come together and fight institutional oppression through engagement with art and critical theory can develop in these storefronts, there is potential for more. PAC has done more for New Haven than bringing in more franchises and parking spaces ever will.

@Curious - I agree that it seems difficult for one small organization to hold up what seems to be a good economic project.

HOWEVER, I see no reason why the developers should not have talked to the People's Art Collective and included them in this conversation. I also see no reason why it may not be possible for the PAC to find a home in this new building.

The PAC does wonderful work for the people of New Haven, as does the Co-op school across the street. Revitalizing the economy is great, but investing in the arts and culture of New Haven is even more important.

New Haven has been served greatly by the People's Arts Collective. This is a grassroots project.

They run the New Haven Free Skool, which are a series of classes lead by people in the community.

Food Not Bombs serves weekly free lunch to hungry people when the soup kitchen is closed.

They host the LGBTQ youth group, lead by and for LGBTQ youth.

People that participate in PAC were not informed of this development project. We want another public hearing so that we can have our voices heard.

The People's Arts Collective is a charitable organization that both helps people in need at absolutely no cost, and serves as a place for various groups of people to come together and learn about social causes. Don't get me wrong, an elevator that parks your car sounds completely awesome, but...well, were these people even consulted, or does all this just boil down to whomever has the most cash to throw around?

Is it too much to ask the developer or seller to help the People's Art Collective find a way forward?

Surprised People's Arts Collective is not mentioned anywhere in this article. PAC currently occupies that storefront space. Though they are relatively new they are a great asset to the community especially youth in New Haven with their FREE SKOOL program and DIY shows. It would be upsetting to see PAC have to move and see FREE SKOOL go on hiatus after all this work has been put in by PAC.

Indeed Curious!

Demian, what did you think the zoning notice on your building was?

The nice thing about an organization like yours is that it can pretty much exist in any open storefront (god, I hate that word), or be roving and connect directly with the community.

Helen Kauder of Artspace is behind your access to that building from what I understand. If she is serious about your relationship, she will find a new place for you. If not, good luck......a little resourcefulness goes a long way.

The People's Art Collective has opened my mind to new ideas that I would otherwise never have considered. Furthermore, the accepting atmosphere and the wide variety of culture has made it feel more like home than my own house. I would hate to see a place doing such good work get taken away.

The People's Art Collective obviously has an outspoken membership, as evidenced here in the comments.

What I want to as you is this: how did you get your space in there? Are you leasing it? Is money changing hands? Or is someone letting you be there by their good graces, because the place was just siting there, empty?

If it was the former, then is your lease over? Is the owner of this property screwing you by kicking you out early? Or is the lease up? If the lease is up, you have no legal standing.

If it's the latter, you're really out of luck. Someone OWNS this land, they paid money for it. It's an investment, and they can do whatever they like with it. Not developing the land so you can keep using it is completely irrational.

If you have some real legal claim to this space, then exercise your options. If you don't, then ask for help from the community, and we'll help...but right now you're coming off as demanding and arrogant, and that's not going to win you any friends.

Boy, no good deed goes unpunished, for real. Some space is temporarily empty while the property awaits development. Kind of a waste, no? Why can't someone use it in the meantime? So, some good person finds a way to use that temporarily empty space to house a good cause, the People's Art Collective. Then, that collective says the property can never be developed, because otherwise you hate the People's Art Collective and all that it stands for!

This is why folks sometimes hesitate to help out: the folks you help might turn around and bite your hand, hard.

This looks like awesome. I think this is probably the ideal outcome we could hope for, though I am alarmed that the article didn't make any mention of indoor bike parking for residents or short-term bike parking for visitors.
I agree that the building setback requirements in the zoning code totally do more harm than good. They effectively ban interior courtyards and sidewalk-oriented facades. Our downtown would have to be converted to suburban-style Holiday Inn buildings for everything to comply.

This total b.s. as no one in the community has been notified about these plans for demolition and therefore had no chance to speak up. I would much rather have the People Arts Collective which promotes inclusiveness, arts, community skill sharing and other things not tied to the Yale-centric downtown that only caters to a small, privileged demographic.

I do not think I would have engaged with the city of New Haven and its vibrant culture if not for the People's Art Collective, which gave me and countless other Yale students a warm and open place to learn from and about the city and its people. The space was integral to dispelling the all too common attitude among students that the city we reside in is a place to be feared, mocked, and avoided. Having such a place for art, activism, community, and social consciousness is so important, and I hope every effort is made to keep it alive.

Others have commented on what the People's Arts Collective means to them and their communities. I also feel strongly that the PAC has provided a valuable service to extremely marginalized communities and groups, particularly LGBTQ youth, but also those who want a place to go, those who want to learn and teach and share instead of being out on the streets. We often see people commenting here about the supposed chaos of the city - and now some of those voices are questioning why a space that has provided opportunity for people of all walks of life across the city to do something productive should remain open.

First the Q house, now PAC - what else will the administration and developers take from the people that make our city - the year-round citizens? Do we really need another luxury apartment building and more stores for Yale parents?

The city and "private industry" failed to provide, so people took it upon themselves to provide - and they did.

The developers should, without a doubt, provide space for PAC and those affected by its closing to be part of the discussions on the future of the space. When they don't, though, I have faith that those affected will be able to do what they need to continue the PAC's impressive work.

The PAC (in the picture of storefronts) has been doing quite a lot for the local community - from arts events, free classes in subjects like self defense and writing, and LGBT youth support. These are services and opportunities for community solidarity that New Haven is truly benefiting from and I would love for it to continue. I would love for the PAC community and the developers to find a way to help one another. I'm sad to read that the PAC organizers were not invited to the proposal announcement, and also that the article did not acknowledge them. I think their aspirations are worth being heard and supported.

Great news - a new development that doesn't take any government money and more importantly doesn't focus on low-income subsidized housing - finally!

Many thanks to CenterPlan and Mr. Landino for helping revitalize the City. It's your property and you ought to be able to do with it as you please. You've proposed a very reasonable plan. New Haven is full of small grass roots critics who want to hold the developers hostage and extract some sort of bounty. Ignore them all and move forward!

HOWEVER, I see no reason why the developers should not have talked to the People's Art Collective and included them in this conversation. I also see no reason why it may not be possible for the PAC to find a home in this new building." whataboutart

This is exactly why we need more transparency when it come to development projects in the city. Folks should not have to find out that they are being evicted or displaced by reading the Independent. It is in the best interest of the developer to include space for The People's Art Collective.

Our teens have very little t their disposal in this city and it is discouraging to see that people support a development that has not approached the leadership the Collective. This is a treasure in the Downtown New Haven community and they deserve more respect than this,

The only reason why the PAC is occupying this location is because Centerplan bought the property years ago and kicked all the other businesses out. If the project did not stall because of the recession PAC would not even be in this conversation. There are plenty of other locations downtown that they could move to. Having said that, it is great to see this project moving forward and this will definitely be a great asset for downtown.

I love art, but find entitlement to be crass. I'd still like to see anyone from PAC explain why they are entitled to this space.

From the Artspace website-
"Building re-use: Showcase vacant historic and other properties by using them as exhibition space, contributing to their revitalization for other uses"

Demanding to remain in a valuable commercial space and trying to stop it from being developed (and/or demanding space in the development) is not going to do anything for the art scene in New Haven except make other property owners think twice about letting someone squat in their vacant buildings.

New Haven - we must recognize and remember that promises of economic and urban development often fall short of the city and developers' grandiose schemes. These developers NEED to be held accountable or else they may just lay the space to waste again. Public input must be sought and it must be done at these public meetings, not just on the Independent comment board.

Moreover, as far as community development goes, these developers and the BZA AND the New Haven Independent have already done a disservice in not recognizing the hard work of grassroots New Haven citizens who have revitalized that street corner and provided a space for youth and artists. I am extremely surprised that the Independent did not mention the People's Arts Collective at all in their story. The people of PAC are the ones who have come in to use the space after the developers evicted small businesses and let the space sit vacant for years. With this kind of history, let's not be so quick to let them kick PAC out - we need to make sure their plan makes sense not just for the new residents of the apartments but for the greater New Haven community.

Peoples Arts Collective has been functioning on donations and has been given a steeply discounted rental rate. They should thank the property owner for the temporary use and move on. This property needs to yield property taxes so that others in town can afford to donate to the PAC.

Does PAC pay rent or have a lease?

Better install bullet-proof glass on that corner.

@Curious - I understand your point. From a business and legal standpoint, it makes no sense for the PAC to hold back this project. Unfortunately, no one in the PAC is really in a position to demand anything about the space. I think they really just wanted to be included in the conversation.

Will there be opportunity for the PAC to talk to the developers about finding a similar space within the development? Could the developers have spoken to the PAC earlier so they were more aware and had more time to formulate a relocation plan? Are the developers interested in community building or merely making money?

The PAC seeks to foster collaboration and communication, which, as demonstrated by the proceedings of the developers, is clearly needed in this community.

I like this plan and I like the PAC. An entire block that will eventually be numerous stores and a 160 apartments can't be held up for the PAC. But it'd be pretty atrocious if the city, the developer, or even Yale can't help find somewhere downtown to put the PAC. They're not asking for money, they just need a place to go.

"construction will commence as soon as the site plan is approved, possibly in the fall"

Rarely, do projects like this move as quickly as expected. It seems there is time for PAC to look for another space.

It appears that the people who complain of not being notified did not read the hearing notice that was posted on a highly visible location on the building and call City Plan to find out about the proposal. Moreover, while I would not expect individuals who use the building to know that the city had already approved the redevelopment of the site, I would expect the organizations based there to be aware of this fact.

Having said that, I do think that City Plan could be more proactive in informing people about proposed developments. The BZA and Planning Commission agendas (posted online) are brief to the point of being cryptic.

Finally, I think this is a great proposal.

Communication is a 2-way street. If PAC wants a seat at the table, it needs to act like a grown-up and not an entitled child. It must have known that the site was going to be developed at some point. That was the plan all along. Did it ever proactively say to the owner/developer that it wanted to be a part of the discussion and a part of the permanent development for the site? Or was it just a temporary place to develop its program? A private property owner has the right to develop a property to its highest and best use - this is not an evil concept.

@whataboutart, thank you.

I would hope that this turn of events would inspire these passionate PAC people to directly engage with the city development office, specifically Project Storefronts, and see if they can start looking at a plan for a new space, or multiple spaces.

http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/economicdevelopment/ReadMore.asp?ID={63627BD7-E681-44C6-9EB9-F0DA3ADE1394}

If this group could set up some kind of lease agreements where they get four months to rehab a space, then the cheap or free use of it for a year, then everyone wins. Artists get to not only practice their crafts, but also re-imagine, redesign, and revitalize a space that some other entity could come to inhabit later on.

I'm glad to see further development in downtown, especially if that development heads south of Crown Street. Crown St. continues to be the de facto southern border of downtown and really, until we start connecting it to the Hill with more viable shopping, entertainment, retail, living, etc., we're going to have this divide.

I understand the frustrations of the PAC and their contributions, but the fact remains: it costs money to own these lands. Taxes in NHV are pretty considerable. The land itself costs money.

So you need to have that land work for you, and that means getting paying tenants. With any luck, PAC can find a home and will be considered -- I doubt the development is going to start tomorrow.

But we can't kill development and a private property owner's right to earn money simply for the sake of art of discussion, no matter how noble.

I do understand that the PAC has no legal claim to the space, but I hope that the developers will work with PAC to accommodate them or help them find a similar space. I think that it is wrong to read the comments above as "entitled," as some have. It's not that we think the city owes us this particular storefront. Rather, we hope that by voicing our support for the organization and sharing stories of our own involvement with it, we can convince the community that it'd be worthwhile to find a way for the PAC to continue to exist.

I can't believe how delusional some people are in thinking that PAC should hold up an extremely important project like this from happening. This project will make that whole area better, safer, and will grow the tax and job base of the city.

PAC can move somewhere else at the end of the day. They're just a tenant and they have no rights in this case. Get over it.

Do people really think that the PAC got the rights to use the space from the owners (who are the developers), without agreeing to move out once development started?

The corner of College and Crown Street currently houses New Haven's People's Arts Collective (PAC) that offers a carefully curated and socially aware curriculum for local participants from various backgrounds. It's founded and led by a group of dedicated Yale graduates and has continuously received help from volunteers in the local community. Its continued existence is vital to New Haven's arts and culture and more importantly, to social equality and the sense of community.

The development project announced the project without any open hearings, nor consultation with the PAC members. As a non-profit organization, PAC has little economic poweress to counter the developers plan. It has only public support to help its survival. Please raise the concern to city officials and demand a more open and transparent process and demand that PAC be protected or incorporated in the developers plan.

SavePAC, thanks to your post I will now actively oppose any constraints on the developer/landowner.

This is not your building.

You have no right to lay claim to it.

What you do is not the most important thing happening in New Haven.

You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake.

Sweet, sweet irony...

https://www.facebook.com/events/416773748421033/

No wonder the PAC people are all a-flutter. They just hosted a presentation on capitalism and how it's e-v-i-l two days ago.

"A multi-media presentation (with cartoons and diagrams!), explaining the basics of how capitalism works, why it's evil, and how to stop it."

Now it makes sense. Hopefully wiser, cooler heads will prevail within their organization.

Sound Advice for the People's Art Collective:

There are many lessons in this exercise. One is the realization that true empowerment comes from overcoming obstacles while maintaining true to your core values.

Whatever deal got you into that space, you received a great opportunity to get your project rolling.

You obviously have a dedicated and vocal community. This minor set-back shouldn't rally the battle call "SAVE PAC", but instead should inspire PAC to save itself.

There are outdoor public spaces you can use to further your mission, The Public Library, Private business and the community. Town Green Special services will provide stuff like tables and chairs.

Develop these relationships yourself.

You do not need the City or the connected network of Arts Non-profits for help. That help always comes with a political layer that limits autonomy and stifles dreams.

This might be an apt time to bring back the bumper sticker from my 2001 Mayoral Campaign. It read: New Haven, so small, even you can be somebody.

These days I believe that is a truer statement than ever.

So, People's Art Collective, Carpe Diem!!!

Let's hope the architects of this building don't make the same mistake that the Park Street Building (Park across from Pfizer)'s architects did - in terms of not having any place for storefront signage.

The sheer, blank glass Facade of the PSB with no retail signage visibility at all is quite unconventional, but it means that it may never be able to attract any successful retail tenants, other than a hospital uniform or Walgreen's outlet. An otherwise nice building, it is therefore considered one of the most poorly designed structures ever to be built in New Haven.

@SavePAC - I really don't think that talk of "countering" these developers is going to be helpful to anyone.

It seems to me that the consensus of these comments is that both projects are valuable. The new building will help develop the economic growth of the Crown/College area as long as it's managed properly. The PAC does wonderful work for the cultural growth and social awareness of the city.

So, let's talk about ways both projects can benefit. Whether that be through collaboration with each other or through the general courtesy of communication. Yes, maybe PAC wasn't included in the conversation with CenterPlan and the BZA, but they clearly want to be now. Who in the PAC has at this point contacted either organization? Proactivity is appreciated from both parties, but if CenterPlan and the BZA aren't offering it, the PAC had better look out for itself.

@Curious has offered one great potential solution through Project Storefront, and several other commenters have suggested possible ways to move forward as well.

@SavePAC, you state yourself that the PAC does not have the economic prowess to contend with the developers. Then, please use your efforts to find a new home (or homes) for the PAC. Don't let the PAC die, but don't let the PAC stop progress by other organizations.

From PAC FB page.

<b> "A multi-media presentation (with cartoons and diagrams!), explaining the basics of how capitalism works, why it's evil, and how to stop it. Starts at 8:00pm."</b>

So capitalism is evil...except when the capitalist pigs give me subsidized rent; then they're OK.

Why the variance? I thought the boa changed the yard and building requirements so that everything is standardized.

Anyway, this is great news. A dead block is coming back to life. Lets hope for restrained, tasteful architecture.

A lot of the comments here seem to be circling around the same information. What disturbs me most about this development is not JUST the pushing out of PAC, but the fact that instead of finding businesses for the people of new haven and by the people of new haven which have many functions within the community beyond simply economic, the developers of this mall insist on building stores that will service a small section of the Connecticut population at the expense of the lower class.

I've seen it along Broadway street . . instead of having a great diversity of stores, we have stores that pretty much exclusively services confused parents of Yale students willing to spend 50 dollars on a spaghetti strap tank top. Who is this money going towards? Is it going into the pockets of people who live in New Haven? Is it truly enriching the community? Do you think half of the store owners of this proposed mall will be new entrepreneurs from within the area, or established chains?

These are some of the reasons I'm suspicious of this plan.

Bangin,

You should be leery of all the major development projects being announced lately. John DeStefano is trying to cement his legacy, while making the connections to carry with him into his banker's 'retirement'.

Bangin, this isn't a "mall". It's an apartment building with 20,000 feet of retail space, which is sorely needed in that area. The area around George Street there is a DEAD ZONE. More people living, working, shopping, and eating there will be a TREMENDOUS boost to the city.

Your little art enclave might have been important to you, but I walk by that spot almost every day and never felt like your space beckoned to me, or enriched my life in any way. Aside from the funky graffiti, it was invisible to most people.

This development makes use of the entire site, and will revitalize it and bring a buzz of activity there, whereas you were just chilling in one little corner of it.

I would rather PAC move to see that block developed than PAC stay and hold that site hostage, denying real use to most of New Haven. You can move, it's not the end of PAC, no one is running you out of town.

There are a handful of empty storefronts and underused properties on Lower Chapel, between Church and State. If PAC people tried to engage the city and find a new home, instead of trying to hold up development, they probably already would have a good head start.

The PAC people are pulling a one-city Xavier by harming their cause more than helping it. Its not the developers job to let you know what he's doing, its your job to know what's going on with the property your squatting in if its something you care about. Humbly approach the owner and ask to start a conversation about inclusion in the redevelopment. If he tells you to fudge yourself, which is his right to do, then engage Project Storefronts or think about ways to generate revenue to get a lease somewhere else.

I think Curious pretty much covered everything I wanted to say already. The level of entitlement in some of these comments is truly impressive.

The density and program of the development seems right, but the architecture looks like something that might be a little more appropriate for Chapel or State Street rather than this area, which had a much finer grain at the time of urban renewal, but that's really a minor point on what looks like a good project.

lmao ok did anyone read my comment? I'm not talking about just PAC, but all other grassroots businesses that could have grown in the area other than this apartment complex. I'm 95 percent sure that if it is an apartment complex, the rent will be priced so high so that the mass majority of people in New Haven won't be able to afford it. I am talking about a trend of gentrification in general in New Haven. You see it with Pike International, with Broadway, and now here.

Some important questions!!!!

Bangin, that's how the world works.

If you don't like it, you can always go earn your own money and fund the arts yourself. Or, you can become a developer and let artists live and work in your valuable space, which will cost you a fortune to buy and pay taxes on, for free.

Good god we're years away from ever knowing what businesses might occupy the commercial space and people are already complaining it's not their special snowflake business.(I don't always agree with curious, but I will agree with him on using that phrase in absurd moments like this)

The apartments as well as commercial space in the store probably will attract higher income people, because its downtown. Land values downtown are always higher in every single city everywhere.

Do you ever actually venture out of downtown? There's actually plenty of stores around the city not catering to people in the higher income levels.

Since moving here two years ago, The People's Arts Collective has been a huge part of my understanding of New Haven as a very special place. It brings together a diversity of people, offers Free Skool, and free space to people who are seeking to build community, cultivate creativity, learn, and make positive changes toward a more inclusive city. We recently filmed interviews there for a film promoting immigrant rights, and all of the high schoolers involved marveled at the fact that this space was theirs to inhabit for a project like this. This isn't easy to find and shouldn't be taken for granted. PAC works to foster dialogue and action in New Haven and a conversation on the space and PAC's future should have included the amazing organizers behind it.