Opinion: More Questions Than Answers For Keefe Center 2.0

Back in February, I rolled up on my onewheel to my state delegates and the commissioner for economic development. They were discussing Keefe Center 2.0 and the Olin Powder Farm, projects I have been working on for a long time. To my surprise, Councilman Abdul Osmanu and I were not invited to this meeting that would impact our communities for generations.

I sat back and listened and didn’t say much, except for mentioning the fact that these proposals from the mayor did not center the crumbling foundation of the 53 homes that have been identified in southern Hamden that are sinking into the ground. I wondered to myself: How could you have a brand new community center when you have people in the community losing their homes?

A year and a half ago, Councilperson to-be Osmanu and I organized community conversations around the old middle school property. At the time, NeighborWorks New Horizons was moving forward with a project to build 89 units of (affordable) housing – something that many in Newhall felt was pushed through by previous administrations without community input. We held these meetings due to concerns that a promised community space might not come to fruition because of budgetary considerations. 

We heard our community loud and clear. If such a project were to go through, their voices mattered and they would no longer be ignored.

Fast forward to now, High Meadows has had five community conversations, meanwhile the mayor has proposed closing down the Keefe Community Center and our branch libraries with zero dialogue. 

We are now forced to put the majority of our ARPA money into a community center with grand plans for the Newhall Neighborhood with no consideration of hearing about our wants and needs, including adding HCLC (Hamden Collaborative Learning Center) to the community center without talking to anyone about it. I am in favor of a new Keefe Center 2.0. In fact, it was originally my idea, although now I struggle if such a project can be done without community buy-in. If we commit $15 million in ARPA dollars to said project, that leaves this community a year to have community dialogue, get shovels in the ground, and get a site plan.

Again, our neighbors in predominantly white, affluent neighborhoods like Spring Glen have received more attention and consideration from Town officials. High Meadows, for example, has had 5 community meetings in the last two years. This is the same pattern of behavior exhibited by previous administrations – thinking they know what’s best for Newhall without even having the respect to ask its residents.

There are still unanswered questions: What will happen to the staff at the libraries if we close them? Why are we closing libraries in the first place? When will this project be complete? Are we selling those buildings? What will replace them? What are the operating expenses? These important questions would have already been raised if Newhall residents were allowed to participate in their own liberation. 

I write this open letter to the mayor to get a commitment to be in dialogue and community with Newhall residents and a commitment to be part of the process, not just creating a blue ribbon panel of yes people to rubber stamp the project. We demand a real commitment to the good people of Hamden that we won’t squander the $15 million on vanity projects, but a community center addressing the needs of our community. I want to see a community center that centers the needs of the community first in need. I think we need community space, $500,000 pottery equipment not so much. I know that if we close the branch libraries without serious traffic calming on Dixwell, then we are asking people to risk their lives to be in community with others. I believe agency is one of our key cornerstones to democracy.

Please join us for our next community meeting on structural home repair on April 29th at Christ The Bread of Life Parish 321 Circular Ave. 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. or for more information email me at [email protected].

Justin Farmer represents District 5 on Hamden’s Legislative Council.