Allan Appel Photo
Gennaro Iannaccone and Jerry Lacobelle.
Cafe Goodfellas plans to move south on State Street into former law offices at the northwest corner of State and Trumbull. All the owners must do as part of rehabbing the space is put in a proper ramp for the handicapped and work with traffic officials to make sure their customers crossing over from the parking lot on the far side of State don’t get winged or worse on the way to having a good time.
That was the upshot of deliberations at the City Plan Commission meeting Wednesday night. Commissioners unanimously approved the site plan review for the popular watering hole and restaurant’s relocation. (Click here for a Sunday New York Times food review.)
Owner Gennaro Iannaccone (at left in photo with attorney Jerry Lacobelle, Jr.) said the renovation of the former law offices, which will include installation of a kitchen and the creation of seating for 110 customers, will cost approximately $150,000.
East Rock Alderman Justin Elicker, who’s a City Plan Commissioner, termed the intersection at Trumbull and State “terribly dangerous,” with cars flying up the street toward the highway. But he praised the project as a good use of the building that will enliven the corner.
Since Goodfellas customers will be parking opposite the restaurant at the Jet Cleaners parking lot, which the restaurant is leasing, Elicker asked, “How will your people cross [safely]?”
Iannaccone said he examined the street. It has crosswalks. “People don’t drink as much,” he added.
Elicker nevertheless urged the applicant to work with the city’s traffic department to make sure the crosswalks are adequately painted and safety maximized.
Iannaccone said the rehab plans will resemble the current Goodfellas lower down on State. “We bring a lot of people to New Haven. We’re going to doll it up — awnings, sidewalks.”
The restaurant’s owner plans to lease its current location after moving up the street. Elicker asked who might move in.
Iannaccone said no tenant has yet been lined up.
“I promise,” he said, “we’ll bring you somebody good.”
The cardinal directions in the article are off. Cafe Goodfellas is actually moving SOUTH not north down state street, although if you really want to nitpick, State Street runs southwest to northeast.
That said, I'm glad that Goodfellas is making the leap under that darn Exit 3 overpass.
As for traffic concerns, I find it odd that Goodfellas is answerable to the poor layout of the existing roadway, but I do agree with Alderman Elicker on his wishes that the city works with Goodfellas to improve the dismal crossings that are currently there.
Hopefully the presence of more cars parking on the street for the cafe will help further slow traffic down.
The main crux of the problem, the State Street Exit 3 entrance, really should just be closed. Not only does it make it very dangerous to walk there, but the entrance itself is extremely dangerous. I wish that someone could look up just how many rear-end accidents are caused by people not being able to navigate the merge.
While I know that realigning the overall Trumbull street exit probably won't be feasible for many years to come, closing at least this entrance would not only improve safety, but also help spark further development on State Street.
Does anyone know what mechanisms are in place to start getting the DOT's attention this?
I hope another restaurant joins Carmen Anthony's and Goodfellas for the makings of a lower State Street restaurant district!