City needs Haven assurance
In last week’s “Dear Felicia” column, a long-standing column that has been part of the West Haven publication scene for almost 50 years, a question was posed concerning the “Haven” project and the fact it has been “stalled” for some time. The comment/question was posed following a story in these pages two weeks ago, wherein we posed questions to Mayor Nancy Rossi regarding a status report.
The column question was simple (we paraphrase): The project was announced in 2014 and its imminent beginning was expected. This beginning was expected because the former O’Brien administration did two things: use permit fees as revenue in budget-making; and announce that construction would commence (several times).
What we found out, however, was the permit process never really got going. Permits that were expected – indeed, used to base budget revenues upon – never went from the verbal to the concrete. The sum and total is we are no further along in the process now than two or three years ago. Properties have been purchased and something is going to happen down there, it is a question of when things will actually begin.
Naturally, the O’Brien administration came under heavy criticism in the social media platforms. Last week’s Dear Felicia column was a hot topic, and, unfortunately, a place where people spewed the venom for which these sites are so well known.
In some ways, we cannot fault the O’Brien administration and former Mayor Edward M. O’Brien for expecting much from the plan, and hoping that it would come to fruition sooner rather than later. The administration fell into a trap similar to previous administrations in recent memory, and rather than be upfront about the project’s many delays, attempted to play the public. The long-term effect was financial. Revenues were anticipated that never materialized; ergo, the city saw four years of deficits.
Like administrations past, it was hoped enough could be done or in some cases, staged, in order to get by the next election, and hope that by the time re-election was again a possibility, something would be accomplished. That is why O’Brien had condemned buildings demolished only weeks prior to last fall’s election. It is a scene we’ve witnessed before.
Our story two weeks ago noted the Rossi administration was discussing the next stages as envisioned by the Gordon Group. It has had its own difficulties as Sheldon Gordon, the namesake of the organization, passed away last fall.
Here is what we hope the Rossi administration will get in its discussions with the developer:
~~ A timeline laying out its expectations for acquiring and acting upon permits for demolition;
~~ A re-dedication to the project and its component parts;
~~ A timeline that gives hard and fast dates when construction of various parts of the project can be expected;
~~ A traffic plan as to how incoming and outgoing motorists will be handled given the reconstruction of I-95 ramps;
~~ Any alterations to the project that might affect either the size and/or scope of the plan as well as the ingress and egress of traffic.
Besides these assurances from the developers, the Rossi administration must get assurances from the State of Connecticut for the following:
~~ The status and/or plans for the Kimberly Avenue Bridge on the New Haven/West Haven line. The current bridge was a “temporary” construction that was only to last 20 years. It is nearly 50 years since it was constructed. We have been told by boaters who use the inlet there that the span is beginning to look its age, and maybe nearing the end of its usefulness.
~~ The state’s own plans to improve the current traffic patterns into the city from Exit 43. Since the Kimberly Avenue exit and ramp were eliminated, getting into the city from that location has been problematic at best. This will hurt not only the Haven, but any other plans the city might have for lower Elm Street.
The Haven and reconstruction of the Eastern gateway into the city has been “on the drawing board” for more than 20 years. Taxpayers and residents have been told to expect big things only to have those expectations dashed.
The Rossi administration has based its platform on transparency. It can make a good beginning by making sure any project decisions, good and bad, are public.