Description
Ideat Village permits for Pitkin Plaza have been curtailed from having any amplification after 7:45pm, impacting most of our free, outdoor, participatory programming. This decision is arbitrary, and not in the best interests of the public at large. We have diverse, eclectic programming scheduled to go until 10pm, as we have done downtown, in the City of New Haven, for the last 9 years.
101 Comments
Anonymous (Guest)
MamaKath (Guest)
Bru Cafe (Guest)
"New Haven is a great place to live, work and play... Our mission… is quite simply to ‘Create Community through People, Parks and Programs’… we take this mission seriously and focus on everything we can do… You can… enjoy organized programs or events throughout the City of New Haven.”
Despite his statment about New Haven's mission it was Mr. Levine who set the arbitrary time of 7:45p.m.
Good job Parks Department, way to create community, goodwill and camaraderie on lower Orange Street.
Kam Lasater (Registered User)
c9 (Guest)
plaza user (Guest)
Uncle Egg (Guest)
Uncle Egg (Guest)
Robert Levine: rlevine@newhavenct.net
Dear Mr. Levine:
I urge you to reconsider your decision to require the curtailment of amplified music at Pitkin Plaza after 7:45 p.m. during the Ideat Village festival.
This is a grassroots fringe festival that is organized by New Haven residents and is a showcase for local art, talent and music. Its popularity has been steadily increasing, and it serves as a perfect "alternative" complement to the city-backed Festival of Arts and Ideas. Like any event, it brings people downtown to eat, drink and shop. It should have the city's full support.
I know of no great cities in the world that discourage an active and vibrant street life in the evening hours. Indeed, many people move to cities specifically because they are attracted to this sort of activity. While residents, even in an urban environment, are within their rights to expect some degree of quiet during late-night hours, it does not seem reasonable -- or, indeed, advisable -- to declare "lights-out" before 8 p.m., particularly during weekend summer evenings.
Given the recent negative publicity the city has received, we need to give people more reasons, not fewer, to come downtown -- particularly during the evening hours, when the presence of people out on the town will increase the perception of safety. I therefore ask you to please reconsider your earlier decision, and allow amplified music at Pitkin to continue until 10 p.m.
Friend of the Arts (Guest)
The New Haven Parks Department wants to hear from you! so be sure to share your thoughts, dreams, asperations, and dare I say utter dissappointment in this troublesome decision :(
email jbaird@newhavenct.net
Attn: Robert Levine, Director
John Q. Public (Guest)
Resident of NH (Guest)
CITIZENS UNITE (Guest)
David Streever (Registered User)
Why is Ideat Village restricted while Arts&Ideas is not? I gather it is because Arts&Ideas uses the green, and Ideat Village a park, but perhaps the city should rethink it's policy?
This is a popular, free, public music festival. I understand banning amplified sound for private events, but this is a public event, held once a year, for live music.
Craving Sally's Pizza (Guest)
I dont think the top ten most wanted are going to attend.....
Frank Critelli (Guest)
!!! (Guest)
little bird (Guest)
According to Alderman Clark (Ward 6), the management of 360 State Street has opposed Ideat Village's use of amplified sound.
So much for supporting the local community.
Nancy (Guest)
MR Ray (Guest)
Does not surprise me at all. I have been playing music for 30yrs (whew!). I've traveled and performed all over the US and Europe and always found the city of New Haven the least supportive of anywhere. Most cities do all they can to promote a homegrown art scene. And it turns out very well for them. Athens, GA, Seattle, WA, Northampton MA, Chapel Hill, NC are good examples. Sad to say I gave up on New Haven along time ago.
With Sadness
Ray Neal
Robert Zott (Guest)
Rose (Guest)
Sarah (Guest)
Dave Satterwhite (Guest)
Bill Saunders (Guest)
Ideat Village (Guest)
Also remember, Ideat Village has never had it's hand out for public art monies. All of our funding has come from small independent donations, community goodwill, and the currency of cooperation.
The groundswell of community support on this issue is truly awe-inspiring.
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Todd Lyon (Guest)
Love,
Todd Lyon
Mark Cicero (Guest)
Billy (Guest)
Ideat Village (Guest)
Under these arbitrary guidelines, these event will have to be cancelled, and everybody will miss the chance to dance.
nhresident1 (Guest)
nhresident1 (Guest)
D. Surkis (Guest)
V. LaFlamme (Guest)
RootsWorld (Guest)
How could 360 State (or anyone else) be opposed to amplification at Pitkin unless they are going to shut down those huge banks of amplifiers and speakers they use on the Green until after 10:00 PM for all of those events, including Arts and Idiots?
Like most rules about this stuff, it is arbitrary and depends on who has the power (political) as to who gets the power (electrical). The Village is an institution. Let it thrive!
- Cliff Furnald
we can do this (Guest)
David Streever (Registered User)
Can the Parks Department explain why?
If Clark is correct and it is for 360, then they have explaining to do.
Namely, why they think it is OK to prioritize one corporation's interests over those of tax paying citizens.
Patrick Jones (Registered User)
Bru Cafe (Guest)
I would like to thank everyone for their votes to fix this issue. Please keep them coming. This issue is the #1 issue in New Haven according to the reporting page. It has surpassed all other issues in New Haven in little more than twenty four hours. I am sure Mr. Saunders also thanks you all.
I have just been informed that the New Haven Independent has a story on this issue available online which is also receiving comments in favor of Ideat Village. Feel free to leave your comments there as well. The more press the better.
It is sad that a "political thing" is the cause of all of this, however it is great to watch the community band together in support of Bill's efforts and disappoinments. As Bill said earlier he is in awe. I don't know a word stronger than awe, but if there is one I'd be using it. You people are great! Any updates or new information will be available on Ideat Villages Facebook fanpage and Bru Cafe's Facebook.
Let's keep fighting.
Curtis Packer
Mr. Ray (Guest)
Ray Neal
Bill Saunders (Guest)
Ray,
I think the interesting thing is, when Ideat Village started it was in direct response to a A&I's proclamation to jump start a fringe festival, while being completely disengaged with the local arts community. After three years of trying that 'sponsored' fringe festival (remember, it was called "The Edge", it finally gave up the ghost.
When Ideat Village returned for it's fourth year, I actually congratulated exiting Director Mary Miller, I told her that though it didn't go as she envisioned, she had, in essence, successfuily jumpstarted the local fringe festival.
What did Arts and Ideas come back with the following year:
THE VILLAGE OF VILLAGES
sound a little familar.......
Frank Critelli (Guest)
ian (Guest)
Anonymous (Guest)
Siobhan Merrill (Guest)
Brian Albano (Guest)
music lover (Guest)
A friend (Guest)
Tired of Johnnys boys runnin things (Guest)
Please call the Bozzuto Group at 203 865 3600 and ask for Mayor Becker. They manage 360- ask if they can stop the buses running after 750pm and the trains after 8pm. Heck close the city down at 630.
Anyone know the last time the parks department did any work on pitkin plaza its all bricks and why is it under their juristiction???
Joe No (Guest)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
I agree with Ian:
"New Haven has grown to be respected not only around New England but nationally for it's thriving music and arts scene. Don't blow it and ruin it for the city and the people who enjoy festivals like this. I strongly encourage a revised permit to allow activity till 10pm for Ideat Village."
Bru Cafe (Guest)
The opposition to the use of Pitkin Plaza for any event is from the Management of 360 State Street.
In the New Haven Independent article Bruce Becker is quoted as saying (360 State Street) opposes the Ideat Village Festival's use of the plaza. Meaning 360 State Street opposes the festival (or any similar event) using the public space of Pitkin Plaza at all. Amplified sound or not.
This statement is directly in contrast to Mr. Becker's and/or his associates, statments to me and others, at meeting, while the building was being built and in private, after the building was built, that he wouldn't oppose this festival or concerts or other events being planned to take place in the plaza. Its not like the management of 360 State Street was unaware that these events took place, long before the building was there.
However, several tenants have expressed interest in participating, as performers, in concerts and other events currently being plannned ito take place n the plaza. So is the managment of 360 State Street echoing the sentiments of the majority of their tenants or is there some other action plan?
As stated earlier on this site I am in awe of the support you... the public...have given to this issue. Your comments and responses have indeed caught the attention of the powers that be.
Please keep it up, watch for updates on the facebbok page and read the Independent's article(s).
In awe,
Curtis Packer
adrienne (Guest)
nhresident (Guest)
(Ironically I just got this in my email, but it's completely unrelated/separate, but possibly applicable) http://www.signon.org/create_start.html?id=27743-10568267-s6RWQcx&t=1
Patrick Jones (Registered User)
Keren (Guest)
Keren (Guest)
NHPeacePunk (Guest)
Music and art: YES
Violence and Crime: NO
The city is now trying to control our art scene... The IDEAT Village is a very important event for the community at large. It is a positive event.The city only wants art and music that is commissioned by the Arts Council (who wastes INSANE amounts of money). The 360State St. High Rise and other apartments are trying to shut down Cafe 9. If you don't like city noise move out of the city..the city should be about art and culture.
Abdelnoir (Guest)
MamaKah (Guest)
sometimesittakesavillageofIDEATS (Guest)
in the meantime, I'm trying to corral my bagpiper friends for our small little gathering this weekend in order to Fundraise and AwarenessRaise for this Silly Little Thing Called a 7:45 Curfew.
360 State. 365 Days. and 360,000 Signatures from our Village of IDEATs. : )
sometimesittakesavillageofIDEATS (Guest)
CT Livable Streets Campaign (Registered User)
Ten years ago, Pitkin Plaza was a barren, dusty patch of concrete covering the ugly rear of a parking garage entrance, adjacent to a surface parking lot and a bunch of abandoned buildings.
Today, it is a popular place to sit outdoors, hang out and hear music, directly surrounded by at least 520 luxury apartments, a local cafe, a very large bike shop, a soon-to-open Irish pub, several restaurants, and one of the biggest natural food co-ops in the Northeast.
I think that the place deserves a party!
adrienne (Guest)
7uh (Registered User)
clubAVX (Registered User)
Joe Nose (Guest)
Party boy (Guest)
Guest (Guest)
Ideat Village (Guest)
I want to inform everyone, the City offered us this compromise on Friday:
On Jun 3, 2011, at 2:59 PM, The Parks Dept wrote:
The City can offer Ideat Village the use of Millennium Plaza in addition to Pitkin at no additional charge for their scheduled events. Amplified sound at Millennium could be allowed until 10:00 PM and Pitkin Plaza until 8:00 PM. While this might create the need to alter your event schedule, please let me know if this would meet your needs.
our reply:
Parks Dept:,
That is a start. It still does not address our festival needs at Pitkin, or the true issues at hand.
Bill
Ideat Village (Guest)
A note to City Hall:
We do not want favors, or free stuff. We believe in process, and paying for the proper permits for outdoor events. Cooperation is the only thing you can offer of any value.
Billy R (Guest)
dave (Guest)
Time to stand up and count em (Guest)
Nice offer. lol The heat must be getting to somebody.
Atleast they are making it seem like they are attempting to negotiate. I agree the real issues are not being addressed and should be addressed through the Board of Alderman like the tax appeal issues. Grill em and find out whos really calling the shots.
The true issue was on the Front page of the Register.A Freedoom of Information request to Town Greene to produce the survey should prove useful. The claim is that the survey was a part of the decision making process of our municipal goverment. I want to see that survey and the actual # of people it takes to sway our City Czars.
David Streever (Registered User)
Angel's Gear:
Do you have any proof, or are you accusing people without thinking?
Matthew has very publicly stated his support for Ideat Village.
The only stakeholder who has declared opposition is 360.
Do you honestly think the city would do this based on one bike shop owner, and not on the owner of a high-rise luxury apartment building?
Ideat Village (Guest)
Time to stand Up:
All of that information was FOI'ed on Thursday.
Billy R (Guest)
Jessica Flack (Guest)
Billy R,
That theory is too complicated.
In New Haven, decisions like these come straight from the Front Office.
Everyone else is a bit player. There are soldiers, and there are patsies.
The Angel's Gear. (Guest)
Do you own research... but I can't seem to find his name on the petition as "publicly" as he has stated his "support".
David Streever (Registered User)
Angels Gear:
I did a lot of "research" all right, I used some remedial english skills I possess to read a news paper account in which Becker & the City acknowledge that they pulled the event for Becker.
I mean, heaven forbid anyone ask you read a single thing, when you can just spout crazy off on the internet and discredit and slander someone else--and SeeClickFix is happy to print it for you.
David Streever (Registered User)
He stated it in a newspaper article, but maybe you don't read news? Maybe all you do is sit in a room and come up with crackpot theories?
I mean, heck, the news even had a direct quote from the Mayor's office and Bruce Becker saying that he was the one opposing it, but, hey, I BET THE REAL GUY BEHIND IT IS THE SMALL BIKE SHOP OWNER!
Not the multi-million dollar developer who City Hall gave a tax free plot to, right? Right? That makes perfect sense, especially when you consider that the developer--on the record--said he opposed Ideat Village's use of the space there.
Yea! Your theory is GENIUS. All because Matthew didn't sign an online petition! Wow! You are a modern Sherlock Holmes!
Bru Cafe (Guest)
@ David Streever
Rock on!
I echo your words. Neither Devils Gear nor Matt are the issue. I for one never thought as much.
However, Bruce Becker, despite the quotes in the newpaper and TV that HE OPPOSES the festival (and by doing so) any other use of the plaza that doesn't fit his idea of correctness, has come out saying he supports the festival, indeed will bring "his son's band down and play with them (himself) at and after 8:00 p.m. on opening night".
Of course Bruce Becker won't put this in writing or inform any news people or new organization of his "change of heart". Just his normal dribble spilling out of his mouth in a febble attempt to appease us.
I stand with Bill Saunders, the Ideat Fest and any other use of the plaza that may come in the future. The Cities stance is unconstitutional and will not be tolerated.
The show will go on!
Curtis Packer
shaggybob (Guest)
Civil disobedience hasn't been quashed by the patriot act has it?? lol
If the POLICE DEPARTMENT can stage an illegal protest while ON DUTY then why can't the citizens do the same.
TO STREEVER- whats up with you- you are usually more level headed - are you confused about devils gear- they are in support of the festival and if you think this "conspiracy" theory of city goverment playing politics and not doing there job is not real then you haven't lived here long enough.
David Streever (Registered User)
Shaggybob: dude, you totally misread.
I said that Devil's Gear IS supporting it. The conspiracy is between the City and 360, I'm with you, man. Someone else (who had their comments deleted) was all over this claiming that Devil's Gear was in charge of a conspiracy. I hope that clarifies it!
I love your idea about a citizen protest. Put out a day & a time and I'll try to figure out some non-amplified sound I can make!
Billy R (Guest)
shaggybob (Guest)
As for the protest- maybe we should try and get permits just in case LOL. Bull Horns aren't amplified are they- or is that air horns.......better chk w/ webster's
Bru Cafe (Guest)
Hey - Just heard that Paul Bass, editor of the New Haven Independent, was thrown out of the 360 State Street building by Lauren Lenox, General Manager of Bozzuto Management Company while he was interviewing tenants. Can't wait to see that article.
I hope he caught it on video.
Curtis
P.S. This supports the position that the peace - offerings from Bruce Becker are nothing more that lip service.
Bru Cafe (Guest)
Update - The police were just in the cafe looking for Paul Bass.
Run Paul Run!!
Surely, the management at 360 State Street would not be so unwise....!
Get a popular newspaper editor mad, are you kidding!?!
Curtis Packer
David Streever (Registered User)
@Bru Cafe
Thank you for your leadership on this.
I'm SO glad that I didn't become a member of Elm City Coop! I know they will never get a dime of my money now. I am going to encourage my friends who joined to request their money back. Local organic produce at Romeo's & Nicca's is the same price as at any other grocery store. Why do we have to give our money to a rich NYC resident who opposes our community?
@Shaggy: No worries, man, the internet is good at leading to those things!
Amy @ Elm City Market (Guest)
@David Streeter
I wanted to respond to your comment about Elm City Market, because I think there may be some misunderstandings about the ownership of a food co-op. Elm City Market is owned currently by 561 people (and growing daily) who live in New Haven and surrounding communities. It is a local, independently-owned, food cooperative that will source a majority of their products from local and regional farms and businesses. So between being locally and cooperatively owned, and sourcing locally, most of the money member-owners and customers spend at Elm City Market will stay in the area.
Elm City Market supports education, nutrition, health, and the art in our community. We will have space in the market for local art displays. Also, we have just begun to attend and sponsor local events. This community involvement will increase once we’re open towards the end of the summer. All cooperatives, including Elm City Market, follow the guidelines of the 7 cooperative principles. The 7th principle is Concern for the Community: Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members. At Elm City Market, we work toward the change and growth of downtown New Haven through positive work and efforts.
Thank you,
Amy @ Elm City Market
Mr Ray (Guest)
Dear Amy@Elm City Market,
I fully understand your point of view, but I also believe that if you do business with the devil, he will always taint you. I assume you will be paying rent at your location, and that money will go where all the money in this town goes to. The elite few. You are now tied to 360 State. Sorry.
Ray Neal
Amy @ Elm City Market (Guest)
Thank you for commenting. No need to be sorry, I'm happy to let you know that 360 State Street is not owned by a corporation or private entities. In fact, 360 State is owned collectively by 336 pension funds, including some representing hundreds of union members that are New Haven residents. That is our landlord - and to whom we'll pay rent.
Take care,
amy
Puppet for the man (Guest)
David Streever (Registered User)
@Amy
It is a nice idea, but sadly, not at all true.
If those people were actually owners, they would be consulted in these decisions. Unfortunately, they were not--Mr. Becker's hired people called City Hall, lodging the ONLY COMPLAINT against Ideat Village.
The spineless city bent over backward to accommodate Mr. Becker, who now claims it was a misunderstanding.
I will never shop at your market, and am reaching out to my friends who bought in and encouraging them to opt out. Edge of the Woods, Romeo, Nicca's, P&M and the farmer's markets are all perfectly viable alternatives to a corporate behemoth who exercises disproportionate power over citizens rights.
Jessica Flack (Guest)
Dave,
The date of the only complaint corresponds with the date of our second round of permit applications, which expanded our festival into the weekdays.
.
The date on the Guideline Revision for the Plaza corresponds with the date of our first permit application.
This is coming from inside CIty Hall.
This is the repeating pattern. An Ideat Village permit application is the prime driver for policy revisionism.
Closed Jessica Flack (Guest)
Ideat Village (Guest)
Thank you all for your tremendous outpouring of support. We are truly overwhelmed. Did this really happen in New Haven?? Awestruck, slack-jawed, but probably mostly dumb-founded.
Festivities start on Saturday.
Schedule will be up soon.
Hope to see you there.
Much Love,
Bill and Nancy
ps. Art is the Bomb.
David Streever (Registered User)
Ideat Village (Guest)
Thanks Dave,
One of these days we are going to have to publish our "Stick-Manifesto"
adrienne (Guest)
Mr Ray (Guest)
Maybe anything is possible? You think we could get rid of that big ugly building now?
Ray Neal
Rose (Guest)
What's funny and I don't believe anyone even mentioned, is the amount of NOISE the construction of 360 State caused for, what, 2 years or so! I was actually living in 116 Court St. and working at Bru so I remember it well. That noise was much louder and went on MUCH longer than our AWESOME music and arts fest. AND i believe our dear friend, JIm was nearly killed by a giant bolt that came hurling off the roof into Pitkin one day while we were all outside on the benches, during 360's construction. I guess it doesn't matter to them what we had to deal with during their construction.
ANYWAY, let the festivities begin! We fought for and WON our right to party! :)