tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post1585621075023650272..comments2024-03-12T04:15:32.560-04:00Comments on middletowneye: Strip Mall Or Livable Residential Neighborhood?Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15825886539128890014noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-44351478469817067112012-12-07T20:49:42.140-05:002012-12-07T20:49:42.140-05:00The Greater Middletown Preservation Trust was, for...The Greater Middletown Preservation Trust was, for many years, the independent watchdog organization that helped to achieve Landmark status for many important buildings in the area. It would be wonderful if someone would revive this useful organization -- its files contain invaluable historic information. I'm sure the block in question is written up in some of those files. Tree Fanatichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08316406189138157909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-40858293142839086522012-12-07T17:54:07.286-05:002012-12-07T17:54:07.286-05:00The Design Review and Preservation Board "rev...The <a href="http://www.middletownplanning.com/Committees/DRPB/drpb.html" rel="nofollow">Design Review and Preservation Board</a> "reviews all exterior rehabilitation or new construction in business zones." Its members are appointed by the mayor. They meet on the second Wednesday of the month.<br /><br />According to their website, "The board's goal is not to get in the way ofStephen H. Devotohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374269026354108582noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-45250614242435034462012-12-07T11:59:56.719-05:002012-12-07T11:59:56.719-05:00So glad Wes scrapped that idea. I'm with those...So glad Wes scrapped that idea. I'm with those in favor of preservation of historic structures and reuse if possible.... Why not a small-ish boutique movie theatre on Washington in one of the historic houses. <br /><br />(Seattle (and other places, no doubt) has several vintage movie theatres that people charish and flock to.(for example http:// www.landmarktheatres.com/market/seattle/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-61818969453924079912012-12-07T10:54:38.132-05:002012-12-07T10:54:38.132-05:00Does Middletown have a Historic Preservation Commi...Does Middletown have a Historic Preservation Commission or group that reviews these projects?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-25636346699923164252012-12-07T10:52:25.236-05:002012-12-07T10:52:25.236-05:00Take all the trees, put them in a tree museum.
-...Take all the trees, put them in a tree museum.<br /><br /> - Joni Mitchell<br />Middletown Eye (Ed McKeon)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15825886539128890014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-84935080556123764662012-12-06T20:53:07.801-05:002012-12-06T20:53:07.801-05:00More images to break your heart:
http://books.goo...More images to break your heart:<br /><br />http://books.google.co.in/books?id=oyHzOaIpGxoC&pg=PA261&lpg=PA261&dq=met+museum+meriden+room&source=bl&ots=l2b3vZEClT&sig=7wkMpWBVv_93dbTEVD7m2teER8M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4UbBULqLENHMrQeItICIBw&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=met%20museum%20meriden%20room&f=falseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-40481416182483161202012-12-06T20:35:10.376-05:002012-12-06T20:35:10.376-05:00Great point by mr. Blakeslee, above. One minor co...Great point by mr. Blakeslee, above. One minor correction: the pieces of old Meriden are on view at the Met, not MOMA. For a bit more on this, and a picture or two that will break your heart, go to:<br />http://www.metmuseum.org/pubs/bulletins/1/pdf/3258496.pdf.bannered.pdfAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-45047705501974644122012-12-06T16:44:51.184-05:002012-12-06T16:44:51.184-05:00I grew up in Meriden. Anyone who supports bad dev...I grew up in Meriden. Anyone who supports bad development like this should look to that city to see the ultimate results.<br /><br />Just on Broad Street, rows of old mansions were destroyed to make way for I-691, while others were taken to be replaced by dismal little apartment developments, low-rent office buildings, a gas station and, most unbelievably, vacant lots.<br /><br />The developers Keith Blakesleenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-59165934844935640712012-12-06T15:42:13.543-05:002012-12-06T15:42:13.543-05:00Does this mean that the downtown commercial distri...Does this mean that the downtown commercial district can never expand? You've got the river on one side...<br />Going up Washington street seems a natural progression. Kidcity sees a lot of traffic, and they seem to manage all right. Most cities have a downtown that extends beyond one main street.<br />I think a large bookstore would be in the best interest of Middletown residents. Perhaps itAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-59832907216101068122012-12-06T12:51:12.288-05:002012-12-06T12:51:12.288-05:00I live downtown, its not so close knit- its who yo...I live downtown, its not so close knit- its who you know and who you ask-<br />I support Mr. Landino as a fine businessman with a vision.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-70085488571301305282012-12-06T12:00:22.085-05:002012-12-06T12:00:22.085-05:00I see lots of disadvantages to the developers'...I see lots of disadvantages to the developers' plan and no benefit to the community. Among other things, the businesses slated for the new building -- both franchises of international chains -- duplicate in some respects services already offered by existing, locally owned ones. Bring in a Starbucks and help to close down our locally owned coffee shops -- does that sound like a good thing Tom Christophernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-45640539218804945962012-12-05T23:18:50.086-05:002012-12-05T23:18:50.086-05:00I'm in favor of a Starbucks and a Chipotle.I'm in favor of a Starbucks and a Chipotle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-43888775037083858772012-12-05T20:34:22.566-05:002012-12-05T20:34:22.566-05:00Beautifully put, Ed, in all respects. The vibrant,...Beautifully put, Ed, in all respects. The vibrant, close-knit neighborhood that has been built by the residents makes downtown better for everyone. Like you, I think the key is location: I'd be delighted to have the right kind of national retailers on Main or in existing commercial space further up Washington.<br /><br />Thanks for a great summation.Sally Bachnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-11943495751472251292012-12-05T17:40:53.147-05:002012-12-05T17:40:53.147-05:00I would say the only objection I have is it being ...I would say the only objection I have is it being placed on Washington St. I would love a Starbucks and Chipotles in Middletown. <br />I am not for protecting one business over another as some are in the Village district. Let free market rule.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-22719987515301265042012-12-05T15:58:32.459-05:002012-12-05T15:58:32.459-05:00Here are some facts about how dangerous this stret...Here are some facts about how dangerous this stretch of Washington Street already is.<br /><br />I searched the State DOT records for the six year period 1/1/03-12/31/08, the most recent statistics available to me, to find out how many accidents occurred on Washington Street between Newfield Street and Main Street (which is a distance of approximately 0.6 miles). During that period there were a David Sauernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-11137071394442600402012-12-05T13:34:42.135-05:002012-12-05T13:34:42.135-05:00Well said, Ed. Houses make a town a home.Well said, Ed. Houses make a town a home.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-84376093295144382462012-12-05T11:49:57.713-05:002012-12-05T11:49:57.713-05:00Is this concept being supported by the mayor becau...Is this concept being supported by the mayor because he owes his election to the Wesleyan community? Just asking....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-39138993655933125372012-12-05T11:17:41.181-05:002012-12-05T11:17:41.181-05:00I live in Middletown and one day I always thought ...I live in Middletown and one day I always thought as things improve downtown, it might be nice to move to that area to be able to walk to all of the amenities and places that Ed mentions. If this development goes through, the idea is much less appealing.<br /><br />I wish this city had stricter zoning and requirements for fitting into the surrounding area. Why can't we develop responsibly Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-60473162561394281432012-12-05T10:16:19.554-05:002012-12-05T10:16:19.554-05:00The property owner of one of the historic homes ac...The property owner of one of the historic homes actually wants to sell to the developer! No one is forcing anyone to demolish or give up their home!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-4895530827879252802012-12-05T10:01:10.858-05:002012-12-05T10:01:10.858-05:00Ed- I feel for you. I can totally relate to the fe...Ed- I feel for you. I can totally relate to the feeling of having bought a home with a dream- and the mayor at the time had plans unknown to me- to block that dream- <br /><br />I remember going to hearings against the power lines that had encroached on our property without eminent domain-<br /><br />I spent hours in city hall researching propert lines- historical ones- fighting insanity-<br /><Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-24245956853049183432012-12-05T09:49:04.945-05:002012-12-05T09:49:04.945-05:00This is an excellent essay by Ed McKeon.This is an excellent essay by Ed McKeon.Susanne Fussonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-89808951799499465822012-12-05T09:35:23.046-05:002012-12-05T09:35:23.046-05:00Dear Anon 8:24 & 8:28,
The architect is Jef...Dear Anon 8:24 & 8:28, <br /><br />The architect is Jeff Bianco - you could simply have said that in your comment if you thought it was missing from the coverage, without all the innuendo. It was a piece of public information that was clear to anyone who followed the stories on the Eye and Wesleying about the forum at Wesleyan.<br /><br />-Jen AlexanderJen Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14821912486617604452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-42962232125632737432012-12-05T08:28:40.757-05:002012-12-05T08:28:40.757-05:00The consulting architect whom all are afraid to na...The consulting architect whom all are afraid to name is also chair of histiric preservation in town. Not good behavior if these are his views about preservation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-16927571042141036512012-12-05T08:24:32.328-05:002012-12-05T08:24:32.328-05:00Why do you refuse to name the local architect??Why do you refuse to name the local architect??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6844475919675784308.post-2463824300408647232012-12-05T08:22:38.104-05:002012-12-05T08:22:38.104-05:00Strip Mall!!!! We need a Starbucks.Strip Mall!!!! We need a Starbucks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com