In the agreement, the city stipulates that any development must be approved by the Redevelopment Commission and the Economic Development Committee, along with meeting all zoning regulations. The development must also be no smaller than 50,000 square feet (the equivalent of a two story building on half of the lot.)
Currently, MMA is restricted from building anything on the site but another corporate office building until 2020.
The city agreed to the deal after MMA filed papers, essentially ignoring the deed restriction. The city began a legal fight with MMA, but were warned against the legal challenge by MMA. According to a memo written by planning director Bill Warner "After meeting with MMA they indicated they would litigate forever to keep the property."
The city had already spent $15,000 challenging MMA, and the prospect of a fight which, according to Warner, would end up "bankrupting the (Economic Development) fund," convinced city negotiators to rescind the restriction and allow the insurance company to develop the lot under downtown zoning regulations and the oversite of the Economic Development Committe and the Redevelopment Commission.
MMA also agreed to pay the city $15,000 for legal expenses.
Commission member Jennifer Alexander spoke in favor of the agreement, calling Middlesex Mutual "good corporate citizens."
The City of Middletown spent thousands acquiring property and demolishing and relocation before it was deeded to Middlesex Mutual. Middlesex Mutual also enjoyed a significant tax abatement for development on the parcels.
The development can be "no smaller than 50,000 square feet." Does this mean MMA is free to build another tower, or are there restrictions? Also, what about full disclosure? Isn't Jennifer Alexander one of your founders -- and do you see any conflict here, or is this blog held to a different standard?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteJen Alexander here - I just approved your comment for publication!
I do sometimes write for the Eye and was there at its very inception (as the archives will show.) I'm not sure how this would be a conflict with being quoted while serving on the Redevelopment Agency, but my participation on both is beyond dispute.
Although I did not write the post on Tuesday's meeting, I have written most of the EYE articles about Redevelopment Agency business in the past few years, and I always make clear when I write those that I also sit on the committee.
I heartily agree that it would be much nicer to have local newspapers (with paid reporters!) that never require the work of volunteers. In the meantime, the Eye is typically the only party spilling ink over little things like a Redevelopment meeting.
What a pleasure it was to see Ed there on Tuesday night, knowing that he would write something up - though I don't imagine it was much of a pleasure for him.
In fact, I noticed that, other than Ed, the rest of the 43,000-odd Middletown citizens had the sense to skip Redevelopment on Tuesday night.
As for your question about the MMA site - the ruling (if approved by the Common Council) will mean that MMA can pursue any development on the parcel that conforms to existing zoning rules (as long as it's at least 50,000 sq. ft. and Redevelopment and EDC give their approval.) If you're not sure what those zoning regulations allow, why don't you stop in at City Hall and learn more about them and write a piece for the Eye?
That would be a service to the community!
-Jen Alexander
I see nothing but a report of the facts and events in this article so I am not sure why ANON would raise a question of conflict of interest. Yes Ed did get a quote from another EYE writer rather than someone else on the Commission but that hardly seems significant, and certainly is no secret. I am also a person who volunteers my time to write for the EYE and also volunteer my time to serve on a City Commission (Conservation). So it is only logical that I submit reports of the Conservation Commission meeting notes to this free and open community news site. I keep it factual. It's not like we are trying to sell anything or sell you on any concept or way of thinking. We want everyone to have access to the information. And as Jen stated, you're going to have a tough time trying to find this information anywhere else. We are completely non-exclusive and as always encourage anyone to submit articles.
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