Actually if you check the records, Ellen Zoppo was one, if not the first elected official to suggest buying the mall and tearing it down. She and Tom Levigne were quoted in a Press article back when Levigne was still a councilman.
Instead of trying to tear Bristol along with the mall why don't all these brains put some ideas forward instead of waiting until something is getting dome? The blame game should be over. It's time to get on with something constructive.
...You're absolutely right 7:32. Out city is turning the corner here and the future's looking bright. Enough of the blame game...Bristol is definitely moving forward!
This is a prime example of why government should stay out of private enterprise. The city bought this mall when real estate was at its peak for a high price. Now the city is going to try and sell it when real estate is at a low, during a recession. Good job you dopes!
April 4, 2008 11:46 AM:
Once again you, the anti-Naysayer is at it again. I can tell you this; if it wasn't for the "nay-sayers" you'd be a lot worse off.
I'm proud to be a "nay-sayer" and idiots like you will never stop me. I say to all my fellow "nay-sayers", KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
The end won't really come until they take away the refuse, take down the construction fence, and put a lawn and trees on our beautiful new village green. It will be a great sight for the 2 or 3 train passengers who travel between Berlin and Waterbury each day!
You are just plain old miserable "Naysayers" You would complain no matter what was done . If you want to be proud of that that's your right. So you can have a meeting in your phone booth with all your friends and pat yourselves on the back. Proud of that? HaHaHa
I say let these cry babies build an office where ther mall is. Give them a computer to play on after all the poor unhappy souls can look for something to cry about.
Exactly how would we be "worse off" without the moronic ramblings of the "naysayers"? It would be one thing if constructive criticism was offered, or even some sort of intelligent argument...but any 3rd grader can call someone an idiot...
If that's the best the "naysayers" have to contribute to the discussion...save it for recess. I think Bristol is doing just fine without your "contribution."
I assume you're referring to me, although it appears you can not read numerical time.
Here's the "meat" of my argument. Perhaps you can't understand English, economics, or public policy (obviously you're not alone).
"This is a prime example of why government should stay out of private enterprise. The city bought this mall when real estate was at its peak for a high price. Now the city is going to try and sell it when real estate is at a low, during a recession"
--It's a valid and factual criticism. Unfortunately people like you and your precious powers-that-be in Bristol don't have common sense and we're stuck with this silly, wasteful disaster. Frankly I'm pissed and if you don't like it...TOO BAD!
I chuckle at the comments of progress and Bristol moving forward. I remember those same comments when the decision was made to redevelop downtown. North Main St was relocated to make room for the Mall that was to make Bristol a shopping oasis. Never happened. Stand now at the intersection of Riverside Ave. and remember the wonderful architecture of the old post office. Now one sees McDonalds. Some progress. More of the same on the way.
9:08: I have no problem reading numerical time, comprehending the English language, economics or public policy. I do, however, have a problem with nasty people. Had you made your point (the so-called "meat" of your argument) and left it at that...that would have been swell. But, noooooo. You felt the need to go on in typical obnoxious naysayer fashion to educate the rest of us on why only YOUR opinion is the correct one, and that anyone who disagrees is an "idiot."
Unfortunately, 9:08, opinions are like anuses...everyone has one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks...I respect your opinion, but your attitude sucks...and if you don't like my opinion...TOO BAD!
9:31: Chuckle away...We may have made some mistakes in the past, but I think we've learned from them. Bristol's future is looking brighter than it has in decades and I'm hoping we're all going to have the last laugh...
They already spent $450,000 for an unusable parking lot on Church street and decided to spend another $40,000 to try and figure out what to do with it next . The projected outcome is to spend another ONE MILLION DOLLARS to HOPEFULLY make some use of it .
To me .... that is NOT the brightest use of a financially strapped taxpayers trust .
10:57, Perhaps in your eyes, the purchase and development of downtown property isn't the "brightest use." However, if the city is successful in rejuvenating our downtown and making it the thriving marketplace and social center that we are all hoping for, the reason for spending the "strapped taxpayers" hard earned money will become apparent...it's an investment in our future...hopefully a much BRIGHTER future for all of us.
I read were they want to build new buildings close to the road and next to each other. That is what they tore down to make a new downtown Bristol over 40 years ago. We had a beautiful old post office too, all gone. I hope they get it right this tiem. Anyone taking bets?
7:23 - Our great public buildings got built in the 1940's and 1950's because the strapped taxpayers realized the investment they were making in the city's future. They didn't feel the need to whine and moan about it the way that some people do today...
Anonymous said... I wonder how all our great public buildings got built in the 1940s and 1950s with all the strapped taxpayers?
April 6, 2008 7:23 AM ````````````````````````
Way back then we taxpayers could hire non-union workers who did great work @ reasonable cost .
Unfortunately , times have changed and we taxpayers MUST pay outrageous sums of money for piss-poor craftsmanship to people that take NO responsibility for their actions .
Route 84 in Southington and UCONN are merely two examples of the "quality" of union labor .
oh yeah ..... I forgot ...... just because it was union workers doing ALL the work doesn't mean they hold any responsibility for the tragic consequences of their actions .
My question of 7:23 am was a statement of the commitment people had in this country in the 40s and50s. People were committed, took pride, and loved their country.
They were not fat and happy. Most lived very modest lives compared to the flash of today. There was much more respect for taking care of what you owned and not living beyond your means.
There was also a strong sense of personal pride that people would find any way possible to take care of themselves and be viewed as contributing members to society. The same can not be said for many people today.
Shop owners, factory owners, small businessmen, and citizens had a level of loyality and responsibility to their community and helped each other out when needed.
The a la carte mentality that has permeated our society today is responsible for creating more of the problems that people complain about. Yes, global competition is a factor too but nobody says we have to buy all the Chinese junk hawked by retailers.
Government programs are not the answer to solve society's ills. However, civic responsibilties include providing civic services, buildings, and programs that promote and facilitates a community structure where a vibrant, safe, and economically healthy citizenship can prosper.
Awww 7:50, let's turn that frown upside down...The mall is gone and that definitely makes it more desirable to investors. It's a clean slate...so please stop with the doom and gloom! Bristol's finally moving in the right direction. I don't know about you, but I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!! GO BRISTOL!!!!
April 7, 2008 10:04 AM: But you're right too. The place looks better witout the vacant mall.
-However if the city didn't recklessly purchase the mall it might look better as well.
-It was purchased at a time when real estate was high, now they're trying to sell it during a recession. That's not good planning nor it is frugality with the tax payer's money.
-Before all you Ward lackeys get too aroused over this "for-ward" progress, let's see where we are in 2009 and then 2011. My guess the "for-Ward" progress will be stalled.
7:49 ... nobody says we have to buy all the Chinese junk hawked by retailers.
PLEASE REMEMBER THIS !!!!!!
mr clinton and his democrat co-conspirators passed N.A.F.T.A. and American manufacturing shut down and sold their foundries/equiptment to the chinese .
when mr. clinton was investigated for possible criminal dealings w/ the chinese , John Glenn was chosen to lead the 'investigation' .
mr. clinton then made an 'arrangement' for john glenn to fulfill his lifelong ambition to return to space and SURPRISE SURPRISE the 'investigation' into mr. clintons possible criminal activities w/ the chinese faded away .
So..... when you see all the the chinese imports in our stores, just thank mr. clinton .
...10:26, You are right on the money (forgive the pun). The purchase of the mall property when real estate prices were high and trying to sell when they're low is certainly not the best possible scenario. Mistakes were definitely made. Hopefully, we've learned a valuable lesson...but it's time to move on.
You have a right to your opinion that Mr. Ward won't be able to move the mall property. I sincerely hope that you're wrong. What happens to Bristol from this point is anyone's guess. I prefer to be optimistic and believe that Bristol can rise from the mall's ashes and become a thriving hub again. I've seen some good things happenng and I think we've chosen some leaders from our community who are up for the job, but I think they need all the support they can get. We're all on the same side here.
You Monday morning quarterbacks kill me. Yes, we had the bad luck of buying the mall when the market was up, but who knew? And don't say "well, they should have thought about that" because there was a window of opportunity that was closing fast. It was now or never.
"They already spent $450,000 for an unusable parking lot on Church street and decided to spend another $40,000 to try and figure out what to do with it next."
The city did not buy an unusable parking lot. The city got stuck with a brownfield when the owner abandoned it and left Bristol holding the bag for cleanup. Get your facts straight.
You may have been in junior high in 2003, but most of us weren't.
Everyone knew real estate was high in 2003. If you didn't, you were under the influence of something (stupid perhaps).
Again, this is a prime example of why government should stay out of the business of private enterprise.
By the many many of us opposed to the purchase of the mall in the beginning. We are hardly "Monday morning quarterbacks, we are common sense, fiscal conservatives.
"By the many many of us opposed to the purchase of the mall in the beginning. We are hardly "Monday morning quarterbacks, we are common sense, fiscal conservatives."
I don't know how many "many many" is - but I do know the Republicans couldn't even get 10% of the voters to sign a petition calling for a referendum on the mall. The majority of Bristol residents demanded the Mayor and Council "do something!" about the derelict, under-performing, blight-inducing mall. The Republican candidate for the Third Council district was even in favor of buying it. I repeat: Monday morning quarterback. 20-20 hindsight. There are lots of expressions for people like you, but "achievement oriented" ain't one of them.
Naysayers like you are nothing to be proud . All you do is Naysay and call people names that don't think like you 12:22 pm. You Naysayers are proud of being useless ? HaHaHaHa
....Sorry 8:37, Naysayers contribute nothing. It's the positive thinkers and doers that get the job done....The mall is gone. Bristol is looking better than it has in years....I don't know about you, but I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!!
....11:15, Naysayers aren't people who disagree on a point, discuss pros and cons, and then make a rational decision (as Mayor Ward did). Naysayers are people who disagree with EVERYTHING. They are never constructive. They say black if you say white....not necessarily because black is correct, just because they're naysayers....
64 comments:
If you call a 17 acre empty lot that the city owns for nothing and thousands of tons of rubble nothing, you're right.
Does this mean the Mayor will stop sitting in his office looking out the window ??? ;-)
Great news!
This mall will never pay us back for the lost revenue. Turn it into a school and new town buildings.
6:01 PM poster: thanks for sharing your unbridled optimism with all of us.
Thank God for Art Ward.
I am hopeful that the bids submitted to the BDDC will result in something positive for the future of Bristol's downtown development.
April 3, 2008 10:38 PM:
Actually if you check the records, Ellen Zoppo was one, if not the first elected official to suggest buying the mall and tearing it down. She and Tom Levigne were quoted in a Press article back when Levigne was still a councilman.
okay let's start timing this, clear the lot keep the fence up, from today 4/4/08 let's see how long it will sit empty. i say along time
Has the mayor hired a Press Agent?
Seems so!
Instead of trying to tear Bristol along with the mall why don't all these brains put some ideas forward instead of waiting until something is getting dome? The blame game should be over. It's time to get on with something constructive.
the mall should have been tourn down 10 years ago
...You're absolutely right 7:32. Out city is turning the corner here and the future's looking bright. Enough of the blame game...Bristol is definitely moving forward!
I was gonna go over to Sears Outlet today and buy some pants, and they tore the place down!!!
You useless Naysayers complained the whole time it was up and now that it is down! What are you good for?
I'm pleased that it's gone. Finally something decent will be done with the property.
April 4, 2008 5:34 AM:
I think you're probably correct.
This is a prime example of why government should stay out of private enterprise. The city bought this mall when real estate was at its peak for a high price. Now the city is going to try and sell it when real estate is at a low, during a recession. Good job you dopes!
April 4, 2008 11:46 AM:
Once again you, the anti-Naysayer is at it again. I can tell you this; if it wasn't for the "nay-sayers" you'd be a lot worse off.
I'm proud to be a "nay-sayer" and idiots like you will never stop me. I say to all my fellow "nay-sayers", KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
The end won't really come until they take away the refuse, take down the construction fence, and put a lawn and trees on our beautiful new village green. It will be a great sight for the 2 or 3 train passengers who travel between Berlin and Waterbury each day!
You're right Justin....our $7+ million green.
You are just plain old miserable "Naysayers" You would complain no matter what was done . If you want to be proud of that that's your right. So you can have a meeting in your phone booth with all your friends and pat yourselves on the back. Proud of that? HaHaHa
I SAY GIVE THE PROPERTY TO THE TOWN UNIONS FOR A CLUB HOUSE SINCE THEY WILL BE THE ONLY ONES LEFT IN BRISTOL.
There goes the jealous union haters again wgining as usual.......getting kinda old
Oops whining as usual
I say let these cry babies build an office where ther mall is. Give them a computer to play on after all the poor unhappy souls can look for something to cry about.
Same ol same ol.....(yawn, yawn, yawn.)
I think its a good idea i bet they will cry when they have to pay taxes.
Dear nattering 12:27:
Exactly how would we be "worse off" without the moronic ramblings of the "naysayers"? It would be one thing if constructive criticism was offered, or even some sort of intelligent argument...but any 3rd grader can call someone an idiot...
If that's the best the "naysayers" have to contribute to the discussion...save it for recess. I think Bristol is doing just fine without your "contribution."
April 4, 2008 5:36 PM:
I assume you're referring to me, although it appears you can not read numerical time.
Here's the "meat" of my argument. Perhaps you can't understand English, economics, or public policy (obviously you're not alone).
"This is a prime example of why government should stay out of private enterprise. The city bought this mall when real estate was at its peak for a high price. Now the city is going to try and sell it when real estate is at a low, during a recession"
--It's a valid and factual criticism. Unfortunately people like you and your precious powers-that-be in Bristol don't have common sense and we're stuck with this silly, wasteful disaster. Frankly I'm pissed and if you don't like it...TOO BAD!
I chuckle at the comments of progress and Bristol moving forward. I remember those same comments when the decision was made to redevelop downtown. North Main St was relocated to make room for the Mall that was to make Bristol a shopping oasis. Never happened. Stand now at the intersection of Riverside Ave. and remember the wonderful architecture of the old post office. Now one sees McDonalds. Some progress. More of the same on the way.
9:08: I have no problem reading numerical time, comprehending the English language, economics or public policy. I do, however, have a problem with nasty people. Had you made your point (the so-called "meat" of your argument) and left it at that...that would have been swell. But, noooooo. You felt the need to go on in typical obnoxious naysayer fashion to educate the rest of us on why only YOUR opinion is the correct one, and that anyone who disagrees is an "idiot."
Unfortunately, 9:08, opinions are like anuses...everyone has one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks...I respect your opinion, but your attitude sucks...and if you don't like my opinion...TOO BAD!
9:31: Chuckle away...We may have made some mistakes in the past, but I think we've learned from them. Bristol's future is looking brighter than it has in decades and I'm hoping we're all going to have the last laugh...
Bright Future for Bristol ?????
They already spent $450,000 for an unusable parking lot on Church street and decided to spend another $40,000 to try and figure out what to do with it next . The projected outcome is to spend another ONE MILLION DOLLARS to HOPEFULLY make some use of it .
To me .... that is NOT the brightest use of a financially
strapped taxpayers trust .
10:57, Perhaps in your eyes, the purchase and development of downtown property isn't the "brightest use." However, if the city is successful in rejuvenating our downtown and making it the thriving marketplace and social center that we are all hoping for, the reason for spending the "strapped taxpayers" hard earned money will become apparent...it's an investment in our future...hopefully a much BRIGHTER future for all of us.
April 5, 2008 8:05 AM:
I'm somewhat impressed. You actually have raised yourself to a slightly higher level. I will try and be less personally offensive, if you do the same.
Peace be with you.
I read were they want to build new buildings close to the road and next to each other. That is what they tore down to make a new downtown Bristol over 40 years ago. We had a beautiful old post office too, all gone. I hope they get it right this tiem. Anyone taking bets?
I wonder how all our great public buildings got built in the 1940s and 1950s with all the strapped taxpayers?
Moan when it's there moan when it is gone ! Moan. Moan. Moan !!
To the 7:23 Cry baby. They probably got all those things done in the 40's and 50's because you weren't there.
7:23 - Our great public buildings got built in the 1940's and 1950's because the strapped taxpayers realized the investment they were making in the city's future. They didn't feel the need to whine and moan about it the way that some people do today...
Anonymous said...
I wonder how all our great public buildings got built in the 1940s and 1950s with all the strapped taxpayers?
April 6, 2008 7:23 AM
````````````````````````
Way back then we taxpayers could hire non-union workers who did great work @ reasonable cost .
Unfortunately , times have changed and we taxpayers MUST pay outrageous sums of money for piss-poor craftsmanship to people that take NO responsibility for their actions .
Route 84 in Southington and UCONN are merely two examples of the "quality" of union labor .
oh yeah ..... I forgot ...... just because it was union workers doing ALL the work doesn't mean they hold any responsibility for the tragic consequences of their actions .
April 6, 2008 7:23 AM;
Those building were there long before then. They were torn down in the late 60s.
However the post war ecomomy of the 50s was booming. There was little foreign competition and everyone was relatively fat and happy.
Ward
Going, Going, Gone!
My question of 7:23 am was a statement of the commitment people had in this country in the 40s and50s. People were committed, took pride, and loved their country.
They were not fat and happy. Most lived very modest lives compared to the flash of today. There was much more respect for taking care of what you owned and not living beyond your means.
There was also a strong sense of personal pride that people would find any way possible to take care of themselves and be viewed as contributing members to society.
The same can not be said for many people today.
Shop owners, factory owners, small businessmen, and citizens had a level of loyality and responsibility to their community and helped each other out when needed.
The a la carte mentality that has permeated our society today is responsible for creating more of the problems that people complain about. Yes, global competition is a factor too but nobody says we have to buy all the Chinese junk hawked by retailers.
Government programs are not the answer to solve society's ills. However, civic responsibilties include providing civic services, buildings, and programs that promote and facilitates a community structure where a vibrant, safe, and economically healthy citizenship can prosper.
To 2:14. Can't get past your hate mongering I see. Ho Hum !!
Big Deal! Now lets see how long it sits there vacant,in todays economy the bids will be few for contractors.
Awww 7:50, let's turn that frown upside down...The mall is gone and that definitely makes it more desirable to investors. It's a clean slate...so please stop with the doom and gloom! Bristol's finally moving in the right direction. I don't know about you, but I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!! GO BRISTOL!!!!
April 7, 2008 7:50 AM:
You're right
April 7, 2008 10:04 AM:
But you're right too. The place looks better witout the vacant mall.
-However if the city didn't recklessly purchase the mall it might look better as well.
-It was purchased at a time when real estate was high, now they're trying to sell it during a recession. That's not good planning nor it is frugality with the tax payer's money.
-Before all you Ward lackeys get too aroused over this "for-ward" progress, let's see where we are in 2009 and then 2011. My guess the "for-Ward" progress will be stalled.
7:49 ... nobody says we have to buy all the Chinese junk hawked by retailers.
PLEASE REMEMBER THIS !!!!!!
mr clinton and his democrat co-conspirators passed N.A.F.T.A. and American manufacturing shut down and sold their foundries/equiptment to the chinese .
when mr. clinton was investigated for possible criminal dealings w/ the chinese , John Glenn was chosen to lead the 'investigation' .
mr. clinton then made an 'arrangement' for john glenn to fulfill his lifelong ambition to return to space and SURPRISE SURPRISE the 'investigation' into mr. clintons possible criminal activities w/ the chinese faded away .
So..... when you see all the the chinese imports in our stores, just thank mr. clinton .
...10:26, You are right on the money (forgive the pun). The purchase of the mall property when real estate prices were high and trying to sell when they're low is certainly not the best possible scenario. Mistakes were definitely made. Hopefully, we've learned a valuable lesson...but it's time to move on.
You have a right to your opinion that Mr. Ward won't be able to move the mall property. I sincerely hope that you're wrong. What happens to Bristol from this point is anyone's guess. I prefer to be optimistic and believe that Bristol can rise from the mall's ashes and become a thriving hub again. I've seen some good things happenng and I think we've chosen some leaders from our community who are up for the job, but I think they need all the support they can get. We're all on the same side here.
You Monday morning quarterbacks kill me. Yes, we had the bad luck of buying the mall when the market was up, but who knew? And don't say "well, they should have thought about that" because there was a window of opportunity that was closing fast. It was now or never.
"They already spent $450,000 for an unusable parking lot on Church street and decided to spend another $40,000 to try and figure out what to do with it next."
The city did not buy an unusable parking lot. The city got stuck with a brownfield when the owner abandoned it and left Bristol holding the bag for cleanup. Get your facts straight.
They messed with my Ocean State Job Lot.
Odin:
You may have been in junior high in 2003, but most of us weren't.
Everyone knew real estate was high in 2003. If you didn't, you were under the influence of something (stupid perhaps).
Again, this is a prime example of why government should stay out of the business of private enterprise.
By the many many of us opposed to the purchase of the mall in the beginning. We are hardly "Monday morning quarterbacks, we are common sense, fiscal conservatives.
"By the many many of us opposed to the purchase of the mall in the beginning. We are hardly "Monday morning quarterbacks, we are common sense, fiscal conservatives."
I don't know how many "many many" is - but I do know the Republicans couldn't even get 10% of the voters to sign a petition calling for a referendum on the mall. The majority of Bristol residents demanded the Mayor and Council "do something!" about the derelict, under-performing, blight-inducing mall. The Republican candidate for the Third Council district was even in favor of buying it. I repeat: Monday morning quarterback. 20-20 hindsight. There are lots of expressions for people like you, but "achievement oriented" ain't one of them.
Same old same old!!
Opposition to the purchase of the mall, while not organized, was bipartisan.
I suggest you get out more.
Cry when it's up cry when it's down and you'll probably cry when it's done . So what's new ?
Naysayers like you are nothing to be proud . All you do is Naysay and call people names that don't think like you 12:22 pm. You Naysayers are proud of being useless ? HaHaHaHa
If it weren't for some "naysayers", we would be looking at the Couture/Ward/Diamantis fiasco, and the reultant cost to taxpayers.
But then, you appear to be one of them.
....Sorry 8:37, Naysayers contribute nothing. It's the positive thinkers and doers that get the job done....The mall is gone. Bristol is looking better than it has in years....I don't know about you, but I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!!
10:30
And Ward wasn't a naysayer when they first brought out the idea of the BDDC?
....11:15, Naysayers aren't people who disagree on a point, discuss pros and cons, and then make a rational decision (as Mayor Ward did). Naysayers are people who disagree with EVERYTHING. They are never constructive. They say black if you say white....not necessarily because black is correct, just because they're naysayers....
Ward made a rational decision to buy the Mall with the terms he agreed on, and without public input?
Give us a break!
What will Mayor Ward have to look at now?
Post a Comment