New Haven Independent

Posted by: Wayne Cooke | February 27, 2009 10:09 AM

Reconstruction of the underpass is hardly the answer to Exit 53's problems. There is still the issue of making it a full I-95 interchange--which means another $50-75 million towards the construction of a southbound bridge and reallignment of the connector.

Not to mention the reconfiguration of the pretzel and major adjustments (widenings) to the curb cut-laden secondary arteries such as North Main Street, Main Street, West Main Street, and Short Beach Road.

If the current administration put even 1/100th of the time on east end development as it does on pushing everything to the west and center of town, Branford might actually return to the innovative and balanced community we once were.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | February 27, 2009 10:10 AM

The mayor was sitting right there with all those people. Why didn't he ask them to kick in bucks for Tweed?

Posted by: Tyrone Speaks | February 27, 2009 12:15 PM

Isn't it amazing Mr Cooke's negativity towards every other project in town, now that his has been defeated. While every project isn't perfect it certainly a positive step forward correcting that area of town. Branford doesn't need another shopping center regardless as to how you spin it! Your sour grapes are beginning to stink Mr. Cooke!!

Posted by: ParkStTaxPayer | February 27, 2009 1:00 PM

@Wayne Cooke, I think you missed the point of this article; the bridge reconstruction is for the Amtrak bridge, not for I-95.

Strengthening the railroad infrastructure is certainly a good investment, as more and more people ditch the traffic for the train.

Ever try to find a seat on a rush-hour train? More people are going to the rails as individual-transportation costs rise.

Posted by: Pat Santoro | February 27, 2009 1:01 PM

Response to Tyrone:
Mr Cooke's speeches go far deeper than as you say "sour grapes". His family did business for over 100 years in this town and made many contributions. Denial of his request to develop his property was based on politics not common sense.The current administration only approves open space, adding to the Grand list is not on their radar screen unless you consider turning contaminated Atlantic Wire into SoHO. He has done some great research on the Tabor lawsuit, all of it being the truth. Let's stop the selective hearing, because if it continues you will be digging deep into your own pockets to pay for it.

Posted by: Wayne Cooke | February 27, 2009 2:00 PM

Not negative at all--just stating my view that the underpass reconstruction isn't the panacea some might think it is.

And, as far as Exit 56 is concerned, the facts, as always, speak for themselves:

1.) Industry continues to leave Branford, and is not returning anytime soon. One quarter of Branford's developed industrial space is vacant.

2.) Loss of industry places tax burden on homeowners and remaining businesses to maintain town services.

3.) Only 31% of the town's industrial land has been developed in the last 150 years....70% (320 acres) remains undeveloped.

4.) No IG2 permitted uses are viable. No alternative suggestions given.

5.) An Exit 56 retail project will be town's #1 taxpayer at $750,000/year net.

6.) Hundreds of new jobs will be created.

7.) Traffic is a science; study needed; new road system completed in 2003.

8.) Project's impact on neighbors and infrastructure at Exit 56 is minimal.

9.) The general layout of the Exit 56 area provides the ability to centralize and coordinate the traffic planning process, thereby avoiding problems present on west side of town, such as multiple curb cuts.

10.) A planned major hotel and conference center will be an asset to the town.

11.) Even in today's economy retail is viable. Branford needs more.

12.) Shopping options improve quality of life. Need to identify best stores.

13.) For many goods and services, Branford citizens must drive half an hour in either direction-including Q Bridge. Time & gasoline are wasted.

14.) The Q Bridge will be undergoing construction for the next 12 years.

15.) Architecture, landscaping, and "green tech" are key project elements.

16.) Town center is specialized & niche-oriented. It is well-positioned for success with churches, town hall, post office, green, and special events.

17.) At Exit 56, Super Stop & Shop and the YMCA provide the basis for a vibrant, new cultural and economic area. The YMCA is very supportive of retail.

18.) The town's character at the east end will be greatly enhanced by retail (presently truck stop, garages, dump, etc.).

19.) The presence of sewers and water give Branford a competitive advantage.

20.) Presence of existing industrial buildings (and wetlands) east and west of Exit 56 will prevent another Branford Hills commercial corridor.

21.) Commercial development at Exit 53 is-- at best--ten years away. Even then, problems will continue in that area, particularly
in regard to traffic.

22.) From Maine to Key West, Route 1 is almost exclusively retail/ commercial and residential. Route 1 along the shoreline reveals this.

23.) Traffic study in the town plan is seriously flawed (dogleg & projections).

24.) The current administration's continued policy of overloading the west and center of towm while allowing nothing on the east end creates imbalance and even greater congestion.

25.) With regard to the obsolete industrial zone at Exit 56, Branford's POCD draft is in conflict with the State Plan. Violation of state statute.

26.) Property rights are being severely challenged.

27.) 98% of businesses and property owners in the Exit 56 area support retail development there. (the other 2% aren't sure.)

28.) Citizen support (letters & statements) for retail at Exit 56 in the P & Z portion of the town plan was 20 to 1.

29.) IG2 zone does not allow stand-alone retail...A zone change is required.

30.) An overlay zone is a viable compromise.

Posted by: anon | February 27, 2009 2:37 PM

This is a disaster for Branford, and everyone in CT. We should not be widening roads and doing pointless projects like this in declining, unwalkable areas that will see no future growth. We should be investing in the infrastructure (town and city centers) that is already here.

10 years from now, this move will be seen as a colossal mistake by the Town of Branford.

Posted by: Tyrone Speaks | February 27, 2009 2:42 PM

And once again your spin which suits you the best!

Posted by: Peter | February 27, 2009 3:21 PM

Finally we will see development on EXIT 53. Branford needs a WHOLE FOODS and other upscale retail. Stop and Shop has exit 56 locked up and leases the land so competition can not come to town.

Posted by: Peter Black | February 27, 2009 5:02 PM

The Amtrak underpass has been deficient at least since I came to Branford: 1964. The current structure allows for expansion of the rail lines but not the road. It should have been fixed when the line was electrified. Exit 53 is only slightly less overdue for revamping. The tolls have been gone for a score but there are still no eastern ramps. They should have been added at least with the turnpike's widening to three lanes.
Note eponomyous poster: Stop & Shop also own former Chevy dealership land at exit 53.

Posted by: Branford Commenter | February 27, 2009 5:49 PM

He has done some great research on the Tabor lawsuit, all of it being the truth.

Wow, Pat Santoro, that's sort of like 'I saw it on the internet so it must be true!' But I kwibble.

"Look, A SQUIRREL!" Oh, did I distract you from getting off topic about fixing a situation at the Amtrack bridge that is, at the very least, exceptionally dangerous?

Carry on...

Posted by: Richard Madonna | February 27, 2009 8:10 PM

The last thing Branford needs is more development. I like the reconstruction of this bridge to move traffic. It dates to the 1920's and is in need of widening. Exit 56 is a wasteland. We need to stop development in this town and figure out how to manage what we currently have.

Posted by: Democratic Testicles | February 27, 2009 11:57 PM

Gott ---------------->Unk

UNK:Only I could have done this.

Posted by: Gilbert Kelman | February 28, 2009 8:27 AM

This Branford Eagle says it all.DaRos has been on top of the needs of our town.Mr Cooke has his own personal agenda and has been given all the time he has demanded of the public's time.Enough !

Posted by: Wayne Cooke | February 28, 2009 1:34 PM

Peter-Stop & Shop does hold a lease on the corner across from the Chowder Pot, but the problem is the current administration's agenda, not the property being locked up. In the case of Whole Foods, Stop & Shop might be less than receptive, but there are many other retail stores to choose from.

Gil-A veteran journalist like yourself knows the facts are everything. And, in this case at least, the facts are overwhelmingly with retail at Exit 56 (see above). In fact, I remember one of your columns taking a similar position not long after Leetes Island Road was renovated.

Posted by: Lance Erickson | February 28, 2009 3:30 PM

We have no train service to Scranton-Ithaca-Louisville-Des Moines, etc. And you're building a 75 million dollar bridge? The Northeast Corridor is a money pit! This is just an other road lobby project. At least they don't have the 15% federal train ticket tax to pay for it. Like they did from 1945 to 1965 on the New Haven and other railroads.

Posted by: REGS | February 28, 2009 7:03 PM

Yep Gil! Unk is da man. He has the economic foresight of George W Bush

Posted by: Pat Santoro | March 1, 2009 10:24 AM

Response to Branford Commenter:
I have done my own research on the Tabor case and it matches up with the Wayne Cooke info. I am not of such a shallow mentality that I believe everything I read on the internet.How about coming out of the closet and printing your real name, anybody can make comments anonymously but the real impact lies when someone is honest enough to back up their comments with their real name.

Posted by: JohnH | March 1, 2009 1:04 PM

As time and dollar consuming the northeast railroad corridor may be, it is of national interest it be maintained. In times of major crisis, railroads are key national transportation, shipping & security links.

Posted by: Branford Commenter | March 1, 2009 1:58 PM

'I have done my own research on the Tabor case and it matches up with the Wayne Cooke info'

Oh, so you are working with Shipman and Goodwin, too!

'I am not of such a shallow mentality that I believe everything I read on the internet.'

So what you are saying is that you are of shallow enough mentality to work for New England Estates' attorney as they sue the town for $20 million?

Thanks for clearing that up, Pat Santoro, if that is, in fact, who you are.

Posted by: susan barnes | March 1, 2009 2:29 PM

"ENOUGH", Gil? Still trying to silence Mr. Cooke?
He will be no more silent than the last guy you all tried to shut up, shut off and shut out some years back. In the words of Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it."

Da Ros is "on top of the needs of our town"?
We needed a $20 million dollar lawsuit? We need to buy the known contamination at Atlantic Wire? This purchase is better than the seizing of Tabor, which is being explained as "never being about contamination - we know that- it's about proximity to contamination"? Is it not difficult to reconcile these two situations? CONTAMINATED - lets buy it for a possible artist colony and let's "not rule out some type of housing". PROXIMITY to contamination - let's seize it, for fear of limbless babies being born. LOGIC?????
"The Branford Eagle says it all"? Well, at least she says it all in this part of her own "Rules of the Road" : Your good name stands for your standing and reputation in the community; it carries far greater weight than if you post a comment anonymously. Readers should understand this and question the motives of those who post anonymously. Well said, Marcia. Motives are being questioned, laughed at - and identities discovered. Tsk, Tsk.

Posted by: Pat Santoro | March 1, 2009 5:06 PM

Response to Branford Commenter:
I am not working for the New England Estates attorneys. I am an unhappy intelligent taxpayer
who is aware of the fact that this lawsuit is costing the town millions. I am, indeed Pat Santoro. I live at 108 Mill Plain Road. My phone number is available in the phone book and on the internet. Call me and I am sure we could try and have an intelligent conversation about the issues.It would be interesting to find out your identity.

Posted by: j.pottenger | March 1, 2009 8:01 PM

This is sad.

We live in a terrific town. Can't we have an intelligent online discussion without name-calling, anonymity, motive-questioning and a constant rehashing of either "old" or "other" battles?

Rebuilding the Amtrak overpass is indeed different from rebulding Exit 53. But, as several of you have noted, it is an essential part of -- indeed, a prerequisite to -- that project. So let's be pleased it finally will
come to pass. What we and the Town now make of this opportunity ought to be our focus: the future, not the past.

Posted by: Eric | December 23, 2009 4:27 PM

There developing the town way too much. I dont care about all your fancy views. What happened to the nice quaint shoreline town?