Well sweets, here we are in July. When we were kids, Cobina always thought of July as the Saturday of the vacation weekend. It was the best time. August was the Sunday, which meant at the end of it – in those days we didn’t go back to school until after Labor Day – the sun and fun of summer came to an end. It’s amazing how sooooo many years later we still think of it that way.
The Mystick Maidens of the Marsh had their Fourth of July bash and we decided to celebrate at the Oyster River parts. We’re still looking for a High Mystick Maid, so many of the gals have turned it down. We don’t wanna lose our longtime membership in the national, but effen we don’t find somebody soon, that could be a possibility.
Here in the Asylum by the Sea “redevelopment,” the topic that seems to always be in the forefront was the topic of a confab of officials and residents. It was a way to have the taxpayers put in their two shekels as to what they’d like to see in the burg when, and especially if things get started.
Downtown has been a hurdle that no one seems to be able to overcome. We can think of things way back, when Mayor Bob Johnson had the idea to eliminate the bottlenecks of traffic by making Campbell Avenue flow from south to north, with Washington and Savin going from north to south. It was on the drawing board for a while, but never was acted upon by the high mucky mucks.
Things were okay until we lost the state courts that used to be at home in City Hall. When the administration of Sal Guerra decided they should move, that set into motion a series of things – unintended consequences – that doomed downtown and still does. Effen yew remember, there were clothing stores, and other emporia that catered to people. One by one they closed. Like it or not the courts being housed in City Hall created retail traffic.
Well, that’s all gone, and since the 1990s people have tried to figger out jest what to do with a problem like downtown. We’ve had façade changes, some paint slapped here or there, but not much really has changed in that area since the 1970s.
We wonder what the city will come up with. Traffic, of course, is the big problem. With the slight juke Campbell Avenue takes right at the intersection of Main, it has been a problem. Add to it the fact that the lights ain’t synced any, and it creates a problem, especially during afternoons. People stay clear of that area for fear of getting into snarls they can’t get out of.
Some people have thought the best idea is to tear the whole lot down and start again, but that doesn’t seem likely.
Whatever they determine, effen they keep John and Jane Q in the discussion, we might actually come out with something. We shall see.
~~~
Meanwhile, Sammy Bluejay let it be known that the old CVS at the corner of First Avenue and Elm Street has finally been sold after laying fallow for about two years. And guess who is gonna come in? C-Town, the small, neighborhood supermarket that effen mem’ry servers (and it do) was once at the Savin Rock Parkade, and left the city, despite a perty brisk business.
Of course, that happened about 20 years ago, and things do change in the world of business. But that was a surprise even for Sammy. It’ll be interesting to see what happens there once the building is transformed into a mid-size market. Getting in and outta that high-traffic area is still a problem, especially on the First Avenue side.
C-Town is a smallish operation, and until a short while ago, the only ones I knew about were in Milford in Woodmont, and a former A&P on Kimberly Avenue in the Elm City. That closed a short time ago, but the Milford one is going great guns.
Well, they left a few years back, and are testing the waters again. We shall see what happens.
~~~
Redevelopment remains in the news. The finishing touches are being put on the new bistro where Chick’s Restaurant used to reside, and the thing is taking on quite the shape. That should be a rather successful business given the location, and the traffic that seems to flow over there.
Meanwhile, what is gonna happen with the former Debonair motel is still up in the air. Of course, the rumor mill continues and there is some discussion about what might be put there, but until the entire thing goes through the city’s vetting process, and until we actually see what is envisioned, it’s all just palaver.
The Kelsey, the new name that is gonna be put on the former Savin Rock Conference Center hasn’t started yet, but Nelly Nuthatch hoid that things are moving on it and we should see movement over there perty soon. Nelly usually has her ears in the right place, so we hope she’s right.
As an aside, we still wonder what’s gonna happen with the Savin Rock Museum over there. Of course, the museum closed, and the artifacts have been stored. When the New England Brewing Co. wanted the site, the displays were gonna be disbursed throughout the venue, which didn’t set too well will those who wanted a museum, m’self included.
Cobina hopes that the museum finds a good location near the Rock area, even in the new venue effen that could be arranged. We don’t wanna see all those exhibits git put here, there, and everywhere. They need a home.
Finally, on the redevelopment front, we have the former Haven property, which is jest getting taken over by Mother Nature. We have to admit the owners are keeping it mowed so it doesn’t get more shabby than it has to be, but we’re all still wondering what in Samuel B. Hill is going on over there.
The owners haven’t let anyone know what they are planning, and, I’ve made this observation before, they act as if we are from the provinces and should be happy they deigned to enter our little village. We hope something happens soon, but we won’t hold our breath.
~~~
Still to be determined is when the State DOT is gonna start the rehab/rebuilding of the I-95 bridges. It’s been about a year since the project was announced and the town hall confabs were done with residence, and about three months since the presser over at the First Avenue Bridge commuter lot. But nary a thing seems to be happening, and as I’ve been telling yew, people are anxious about it.
Iva Lootey was here and sez that trucking firms, distributors, even school buses looking to bring teams from one side of the area to West Haven and Milford and beyond are wondering what fresh hell they’re gonna hafta go through once construction begins. As it is Long Wharf is not the easiest interchange to navigate on any given night, the added construction has people wondering effen traffic is gonna be backed up for miles. That would be my guess.
And remember, once its begun, the entire project is supposed to take 27 months. And, that’s if it stays on schedule. So, living in these parts and trying to git places is gonna be difficult at the very least.
~~~
The Wag came in and wondered what this year’s mayoral election will look like, and he, like me, is wondering jest what the city’s moribund Grand Ole Party is gonna do. We went through the problems in the last missive, so suffice it to say that trying to oust a first-term mayor in this town is unusual. It’s happened, but unusual.
Add to that equation the fact the registration of Demmies to GOP is about 3-plus to one over the 19,000 or so registered voters.
The Wag figgers effen the GOP runs someone it’ll be a name on the slate, not much more. That’s happened before, and probably will happen again.
The party has done better in the last few years with the City Council, getting a couple of people thereon. We remember years when they only had one person, and that only because the City Charter calls for it. Not much can get done by the minority with one person on it. At least here, we have a person who can second a motion.
Tennyrate, as we git through the summer, and this month is the nominating confabs, we should have a better idea of what is gonna happen come the campaign, which starts after Labor Day.
~~~
Finally, the Savin Rock Festival is coming up, and whilst it comes at the end of this month, it is a time that this burg celebrates itself. Over the decades there ain’t been a whole lot to celebrate excep’ its people, and that is a good start in any city. Still, things are lookin’ up, and people seem to have a better attitude toward our future, we’ll see how it plays out come the Fest.
With that bit o’ chatter, I’ll close this time till next, mitt luff und kizzez,
Cobina
Leave a Reply