Since elected officials were not allowed to
comment at last week’s public hearing, I join my Democratic City Council
colleagues, Calvin Brown and Mary Fortier, in issuing a statement on downtown
so our constituents will know where we stand.
My biggest concern at this time is the dueling
perceptions of Bristol residents not wanting to invest in themselves. We CAN
have a vibrant downtown. And I think we CAN address people’s concerns so that
we achieve an outcome that the majority supports.
In 2005 the city wisely voted to purchase the old mall as
a means of controlling our own destiny and shaping our own future. We wanted
our citizens to come downtown for more than just city services.
Then, some potential plans called for a new
Boys & Girls Club to be relocated on the Mall property, as well as a field
house and some mixed use retail, office space and a parking structure. The
voters who came to those public hearings objected to the land being used by entities
that would not generate tax revenue. In late 2006, the Mall site was on the short
list for the location of the new West Bristol School, but people again objected
and the school was eventually built on a remote section of Chippens Hill.
Today, people are asking why the new Club,
built on a small parcel on West Street, couldn’t have been built facing
Brackett Park? Why is the new school as far west as it could possibly be while
still being considered a Bristol school? The fact that the hue and cry from angry
citizens 10 years ago that prevented either of these plans from happening is
indeed ironic. Recently the discussion has turned to more open space and a
synthetic field from the school of "something
is better than nothing" and "let’s get something going," even
though the economic benefits of these scenarios would be marginal at best.
Are we destined to repeat history? I sure hope
not. But our track record is not great for getting it right, dating back to the
problems surrounding downtown urban renewal in the 1960s and early 1970s.
So what do I think today, after being back on
the City Council for almost a year and being immersed (again) in a variety of
reports, data, and public hearings on downtown?
First, I understand why people are opposed to
investing $6 million of taxpayer money into a private investment when the
economy is only slightly improving and people are watching every dollar. There
are a lot of unknowns that would have to be hammered out with the City having
an equity stake and deed restrictions if public money were part of the
equation.
I understand that people want a say and are
asking for a referendum. But what is the question? Are we asking taxpayers to
approve the plan as presented, or is it about the $6 million that Renaissance
asked for from the City?
They have now publicly stated that they are no
longer asking for $6 million so this now appears to be off the table as a main
argument for referendum.
Through the City’s 5 Year Capital Improvement
Program, the City spends millions each year on projects that the taxpayers
don’t even know about, much less have input into or for many, even know they
are occurring or how they are funded.
For example, in the spring of 2013, the then-elected
officials approved a $6 million renovation project for the Fire Department’s
Engine 4 – a fire house located off of Route 229 next to the Public Works Yard
and the Sewer Plant. Let’s just think about the irony of this for a minute –
there is currently a $6 million project – the same amount as was being
discussed for downtown - being launched for ONE fire house, in the
southeast section of the city - that no one is talking about. A project that
even many of the firefighters think is ridiculous.
The amount being spent would still be
ridiculous if it was for the fire headquarters on North Main Street, but at
least one could weakly argue that the $6 million would at least be benefiting a
building that was more centrally visible and part of downtown.
So philosophically, if we are already bonding
$6 million for a firehouse, why couldn’t we transfer that money to the downtown
project that would benefit the entire community? Since it’s already budgeted,
the taxpayers would feel nothing, and the Engine 4 fire house expansion could
be put on the shelf for another year. Or better yet, put these large-ticket
items up for referendum.
I know that Bristol has a lot of housing in
the downtown area. Some of it has been the subject of code enforcement actions
and we must also acknowledge that third floor apartments in restored Victorians
do not appeal to all young professionals. I can support some new housing
construction in downtown, but I have not supported the number of housing units that Renaissance desires. I
think that is too much density for this site but if they build it, I do hope
they fill it with the type
of sustained residential population that will represent the 7 day a week
customer base that businesses need to thrive.
I think we need to compromise and get the ball
rolling. The City of Bristol should offer to partner with Renaissance with
in-kind services to help them achieve their financial package needs. This would
mean taking responsibility for the creation of the Piazza, roads and sidewalks,
street lights, a shared parking plan for all parcels, and the necessary
hook-ups for water and sewer. While this may amount to less than $2 million in
city costs and services, it would be way to demonstrate support and buy-in in
an area where the City has experience and ability. The City can also be of assistance by
continuing its aggressive marketing and business recruitment activities on
other parcels that will bolster downtown – the recent sale of 10 Main Street,
the former Press building and helping other downtown landlords fill their
spaces – as well as supporting projects such as the Memorial Boulevard which is
another piece of the puzzle.
I think both the Renaissance work and some of
the recommendations of the Goman + York report go back to what we knew in 2005
– sometimes a public driver is needed to stimulate private investment. Whether
it’s going to be a Piazza or skating rink or something else, the City of
Bristol needs to have a role. And I
would really love to see ESPN involved as a partner in designing housing tailored
to their employees’ needs.
Last spring, I talked to a number of local
developers and real estate experts about their thoughts on downtown. One theme
that did emerge from all of these separate conversations was making the project
more manageable. Renaissance needs to be encouraged in their role as gatekeeper
and the preferred developer to bring other developers to the table for the
remaining parcels. We have design and zoning regulations for downtown in place
and with careful, collaborative efforts, we could possibly have several
developers at the table at the same time, all working with Renaissance to
create a synergy for the 15 acres.
I like that the Mayor called a joint meeting
of the BDDC and City Council. We all need to show leadership, keep the lines of
communication open, and continue to work together and decide on a path that
works for everyone and gets shovels in the ground sooner rather than later.
While the Democrats have not been at the table for the negotiations, I think I
speak for all of us when I say we are anxious to be part of the solution.
No downtowns are perfect. They are all,
regardless of size and demographics, a work in progress with a mix of
businesses that appeal to some people and not others. But if Southington,
Plantsville, and New Britain can re-build their downtowns with a mix of
government center, independent retail and restaurants and other activities, so
can we.
In fact, we have a blank slate of 17 acres to
draw our future. It’s time we got our paints and start putting color on the
canvas.
