A small sports museum outside the gates of historic Muzzy Field may become a reality.
Parks commissioners this week gave their initial approval to a five-year plan to acquire nearby houses and create a more accessible, appropriate gateway to the ancient ball field.
"We have to phase this in little by little," said Tom Ragaini, a commissioner.
Initially, the city plans to buy a house at 262 Park St. and tear it down. But it also intends to try to acquire the only other house between the ballpark and the road, a triplex at 216 Park St.
Beyond that, Ragaini said, officials want to erect "a sports building of some kind" near the gate to Muzzy Field.
In all likelihood, officials said, the building would house the Bristol Sports Hall of Fame, which has long sought a permanent place for its small collection. It could also be used for small meetings, they said.
Mayor William Stortz said he thinks the City Council will approve the purchase of the house at 262 Park St. soon.
But, he said, he doesn't want the sale to go through unless officials are ready to follow through later with sprucing up the ballpark's entrance and buying the sole remaining privately-owned house between the field and Park Street.
Otherwise, Stortz said, "it won't be very attractive."
The plan approved by the Park Board calls for buying and razing the 262 Park St. house in its first phase.
The next phase, which would take a couple of years, would be to plan for the sports building and a nicer walkway into the ballpark.
Finally, in its last phase, the city hopes to purchase and knock down the 216 Park St. triplex to allow for expansion of the Muzzy fence line and putting up the new building.
Stortz had pushed the park panel to create a long-term plan before rushing into the purchase of the house at 262 Park St. He argued that finance and other city leaders need to know what's envisioned before they take initial steps toward a vision for the site that hadn't been clearly defined.
The city's Real Estate Committee agreed in March to ask the mayor to negotiate with the three-decker house's owner, Richard Ferrucci.
At the time, Ferrucci sought $200,000 from the city, which is $7,000 less than its appraised value.
With the plan approved by the Park Board, Stortz said, he can finish negotiations quickly.
The 216 Park St. triplex has not been offered to the city, but officials said they want to make sure they are ready to buy it when it becomes available.
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Copyright 2007. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
13 comments:
Just a few minor, insignificant questions concerning the plan; can someone please explain the benefit of such a project? Can you also explain where the monies will come from? Is this the best thing for Bristol? Who will benefit most from it? What are the future plans for Muzzy that this would be a requirement?
I am sure there are several more questions that could and need to be asked before another thought is given to the proposed spending.
Attend a Park Board meeting and ask. Asking on this site will only bring out the nay-sayers.
All that matters in this town are sports and veterans.
It sounds great, but for their sake I hope the Park Board intends to prepare a detailed proposal (goals and objectives; plan for public input and coordination with other city departments and land use boards; rough conceptual mapping; ballpark cost estimates; etc.) before they submit it to the city council and board of finance, or they're going to get it thrown back at them.
Sports = kids!
You sound bitter, you must be one of Ellen's supporters. How sad for you.
Let's recognize that many people due to personal situations and commitments can't make board or council meetings. That said, the October Park Board Meeting minutes are already up on the City of Bristol web site. They might not answer all of the first poster's questions but it might point you in the right direction.
To Anon @ 11:32 AM, I hope every city, town, village and etc. always have a strong belief that veterans matter.
To your other point there's no question that sports are a major priority in Bristol. Remember, Bristol's heritage is industrial and predominantly blue-collar. Visit any city or town of similar historic background anywhere from Maine to Ohio and you will find they have a very similar mentality.
That said, the arts have made some decent strides in Bristol in the last few years. They will never be appreciated at the same level of sports but they are at least seen as valuable. The high schools have very good theater and music programs and city wide we do have some great assets. The Clock and Carousel Museums and the new "built in Bristol" exhibition at the Historical Society are examples of improvements and a higher focus on the arts.
Sometimes however, a city's best bet is to leverage their personality into a positive. Sports is a positive and of high value to many. Muzzy Field is our primary asset. We should do our best to keep it in great shape. While we did not get the most recent movie opportunity for Muzzy I believe at some point we will. Investing in a great asset like Muzzy becomes a wonderful marketing tool for the city. Besides if the day comes when Muzzy does get used for a film then it will benefit the entire city including those interested in the arts.
Poster at 12:49 sure sounds like the bitter one - ELLEN! Don't worry, you aren't the ONLY one who knows what should be done. I feel with you gone things will run much smoothly for many Boards and Committees.
I'm glad to see someone pushing for some planning, and not just one year reaction.
200K? I'd rather see a computer in every classroom in the city for the education of our youth...
Anonymous said...
Sports = kids!
You sound bitter, you must be one of Ellen's supporters. How sad for you.
October 19, 2007 12:58 PM
WHO ARE YOU!?!?
I am appalled that you stand behind the anonymity of the internet and make such a NASTY comment.
I would call you a nasty word right now, but it isn't appropriate.
If you've got something SO nasty to say....say it in person, because your commentary is nothing but disgusting and I am surprised that Steve Collins allow it onto the blog since he says he is policing and censuring the commentary for the nastiest comments.
Why on earth would the poster who brought Ellen's name into this do that? Come on! Your post doesn't even make sense! Ellen's supporters have NEVER been against children and sport hence the Roberts Property, but you obviously are uneducated to that fact since you made such an ignorant statement. Leave Ms. Zoppo out of this conversation.
Ok - Let's drop the Ellen bit.
The question I have is if this house will require abatement when it is demolished like the previous house they ripped down by Muzzy due to asbestos issues. That can be costly. The house is in the age range that asbestos should be investigated prior to purchase.
Good point and I'm sure it would be looked into before it is torn down, but I doubt we are talking a huge sum here. I'd rather see those houses gone just to get rid of some of the problems we have down there with the multi-families.
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