Editorial

Time for Haven to move

We are fast approaching the time when the Haven Development Company should, as the saying goes, “fish or cut bait.” It has been almost four months since the city abandoned Water Street, closing it off to traffic. Just before that time, residents were assured the demolition of the area extending from Elm Street, past Main, encompassing more than four city blocks was ready to begin.

April 27 was the date the city closed the thoroughfare, which helped relief the traffic congestion from the aging Kimberly Avenue Bridge for those commuters exiting I-95. Anyone who has tried to travel that area during rush hour knows the back-up that has become a daily occurrence.

In the time leading up to the closure of the street, the developers promised the beginning of demolition of 55 properties that would begin a process to where “Christmas of 2022” would welcome shopping at the Haven. We have our doubts. We had them then.

The Haven is a proposal that is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Shopping centers, and that is really what this is, are losing tenants at alarming rates with the emerging online buying market. Similar outlets in Clinton and Westbrook are not the mercantile meccas they once were, with several empty stores. Just as West Haven was hoping for a commercial boost to its bottom line, at-home shopping became more the norm.

The history of the project – from its inception almost 23 years ago – has been one of delay, delay, delay. The current iteration, the fourth by our count, was announced with great fanfare in 2014. The up-scale outlet center was to have an amphitheater and enhanced amenities along the shore, bring shoppers and fun-seekers to the area.

Haven Development Company likes to play things close to the vest. Over the years it has been reticent to make any pronouncements, even when goaded by politicians looking for something to tell the voting public. We understand that, but we cannot but question what is going on with the project as the area decays rapidly.

The administration of former mayor Edward O’Brien pegged much of its hopes on the project, hoping for, and being disappointed with, the lack of progress on the development. Permit fees in the hundreds of thousands of dollars were expected, put into the budget, and never realized.

Granted, the development company had some legal problems over the purchase of a few of the properties, but that has been settled for more than two years. The area is, as we said, decaying rapidly. Neighbors are becoming frustrated with the delay, which is hurting property values as well as bringing safety concerns.

The fencing off of the area has helped previous problems with squatters taking over some of the buildings, and several fires had taken place prior to its placement. But that doesn’t help with other concerns for such an area. Vermin can fester in those places, which will harm the surrounding area.

The developer and the Rossi administration must assure the public that things are moving in a positive direction. It can happen with:

~~ The publication of a timetable of demolition and work begun;

~~ Announcement of tenants for the complex;

~~ Further expansion of the details and expected progress over the next several months and years.

West Haven has waited long enough. We need to know what is going to happen.