A very familiar pattern
It was an all-too familiar situation, one taxpayers in this city have seen over and over, with the same results: no development. The much-heralded plan to bring the New England Brewing Company (NEBCO) into the city fell apart last month, and the owners have investigated other area communities to expand their business. It was just too much of a hassle.
After months of negotiations, plan changes, and attempts to mollify litigation brought by the owners of Jimmies Restaurant. Martin Juiliano told Mayor Nancy Rossi, NEBCO’s director of business development, the revised lease plan was “off the table.” The reason: lack of support from “some City Council members, a few Land Trust of West Haven members, and an appeal by Jimmies’ ownership on the revised plan.
Announced in the fall of 2021 and approved in August of 2023, NEBCO would demolish the decaying Savin Rock Conference Center, and replace it with a restaurant/brewing facility. All the approvals were falling into place as the City Council approved the lease and the company would relocate into the city following construction.
Under the terms, the 60-year ground lease allowed for the city to maintain ownership of the 4.38-acre property while allowing the developer to demolish the conference center and construct a 46,165-square-foot building that would include a brewery, a taproom and event space. According to the agreement at the time, Douglas Gray, principal of the Delaware-based parent company, would pay the city rent and serve as the brewery’s landlord at its “forever home” in the city.
Almost immediately, the problems started. Jimmies brought litigation, contesting setbacks to the property adjacent to Savin Rock proper. Gray attempted to prevent litigation by scaling back the original plan, reducing the square footage, eliminating the brewery, and renovating, not demolishing the existing structure.
At the Aug. 28 council meeting, members of the public and City Council voiced “concerns” over the new agreement, prompting the owners to give up, and look elsewhere. The developer had two other offers that were more accepting of the business’ concepts.
We supported the plan with some reservations, but those concerned the Savin Rock Museum, which we wanted to see preserved. The plan itself seemed like a boost to the shorefront and would offer a reason for people to come down to the shore. Like other communities we must draw people to our most precious resource.
Mayor Rossi, understandably, voiced her frustration not only with the council, but with the Land Trust. We have come to a point where there seems to be opposition, no matter what is proposed, including by businesses that seem a bit afraid of a little competition.
The need for some style of commercial development in keeping with the shore’s beauty is paramount. The problem is, and this includes the Land Trust membership, we know what they do not want, we can never figure out what they favor.
We proposed a select committee of city officials, Land Trust members, and members of the public of no more than 15 members to draft a white paper outlining those types of commercial outlets that would be acceptable. It seems the only way this type of announcement-revision-rejection circus can be prevented in the future. We must come to grips with the idea some type of commercial development – enhancing the shore – is necessary. Putting a plan in place might prevent future missteps.