7:45? Considering this is not a residential neighborhood and most of the businesses in the area are closed after 8 p.m., this ruling makes no sense.

Robert Levine the Director of the Parks Department states in his online message (available on the City of NEw Haven webite) that:
"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.

Who is this meant to protect? The clubs around the corner are just as loud. Feel like there must be more to the story cuz this just doesn't make any sense.

This festival has was born as a direct response to the City Sponsored Festival overlooking their own artists, musicians and other creative types. It has grown from one weekend to two full weeks of great programming, all done with volunteers and a very small budget. They do not discriminate. You don't need to have your work critiqued by some pseudo intellectual fund raising art snob to exhibit, you just bring it to their gallery and hang it. I don't understand the reasoning behind all this harassment they get every year. If you live downtown, you should expect a vibrant bustling community that sometimes has music outdoors and people around after 8 pm. This community has always been the foundation of art and music in the city. Back when junkies were shooting dope in what is now 116 Crown St. luxury condos, this community was here living among them, supporting the city as they always have and will continue to do. They have a right to use these public spaces as much as anyone else. Wake up New Haven, these types of events are what make you an interesting place. It's only for two weeks until 10 p.m. people! Lighten up!

I find no good reason for the 7:45pm amplification curfew. Nothing negative, to my observation, has come from the 10:00pm time. There will, however, be a negative effect from the new ruling—a setback for some of performing arts in New Haven. And if it starts in Pitkin, where else might it spread?

Music and other activities during evening hours, particularly on weekends, are part of life in any vibrant city. I know of no great, liveable city that declares "lights-out" at 7:45 p.m.

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.

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

Another move by the A & A to discourage the "townies" who LIVE HERE and were shunned from the Festival from the beginning. How unjustified. Who made this decision ???

City ordinace allows noise until 10pm. Construction noise is exempt 24/7 even residential- where did 7:45pm come from John's bedtime ????? How about loud motorcycles and cars with BOOM BOXES ???

EVERYONE APPLY FOR PERMITS- BRING PARKS TO A STANDSTILL WITH PAPERWORK.

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.

You can give out parking tickets until midnight- why cant the people have music until later then 7:45?- the music on the green is often after 8 pm regaurdless of sponsership. It appears this event is being held in a commercial zone and has been without issue for many years- What is the issue?
I dont think the top ten most wanted are going to attend.....

Ideat Village has become a New Haven institution. Stop being jerks: do the right thing and let us have music, art, good vibes and fellowship in New Haven.

Whoever makes absurd decisions like this is destroying everything we love about New Haven one by one...

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.

The artists who contribute to organizing Ideat Village events are a resourceful and resilient bunch... if we knew there were problems with using Pitkin Plaza, we would have figured out alternatives. Our permit applications were filed with the Parks Dept. on MARCH 26th -- WHY was there not a word about time limits for the 2 months our permits were in process, and WHY were we notified only 2 weeks before the festival's opening day? Sounds like a deliberate effort to stop us dead in our tracks at the last minute. (Note: that won't happen... after all, we are a resourceful and resilient bunch.)

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

I live right behind Pitkin Plaza and the Ideat Village festival is something that my wife and I look forward to all year. It's our tradition, it's our neighborhood, it's our right! Music until 10:00 ain't gonna' hurt no one, and just might bring hundreds of new customers to a hurting part of town, as it has done consistently for nearly a decade!

It seems like the city tries to do SOMETHING to put a damper on Ideat Village every year! What is the problem??? It is a peaceful, eclectic, colorful and family-friendly arts and music fest that promotes community. Many people, including those who live near Pitkin Plaza look forward to this summer celebration of art and music. The sound ordinance has always allowed amplification until 10pm. We are being unfairly targeted for absolutely no reason! Spread the word to save our Festival!

As a long time part of the music scene in New Haven I am not surprised. It is, however, repeatedly saddening. In a city that has its downtown emptied out during summer school break (at least a definite substantial amount) these events are needed to bring business to downtown. Not to mention how successful they are in nurturing, socializing and unifying all types of local artists. fingers crossed to those location scouting.

This is an indisputable blow to New Haven, both to its citizens and to the city's reputation on a national scale. If you scroll down, Mr. Ray Neal has summed up my main feelings on this matter quite well. To put it bluntly, New Haven is already a joke. I grew up in New Haven and love it dearly, but I'm not naive enough to say it has any kind of thriving arts community. The scene in this city is full of potential, as anyone with a friend in a band would be quick to tell you. Connecticut, specifically the elm city, is not without a wealth of artistic talent. However, it's this kind of attitude–this ugly desire to repress new, creative ideas in the name of... well, what exactly? What are we preserving by shutting up our local men and women of artistic inclination? The only word I know for it is ignorance. In one of New Haven's most tragic years to date, at least within my short lifetime, the decision is apparently thus: keep the people silent, and everything will be fine. I, for one, refuse. I won't be in Connecticut for Ideat Village this year, but I have friends who will be. And aside from my one friend in the United States who attends Yale University, the decision to cut amps at 7:45 will do nothing but leave a bad taste in all of their mouths. New Haven is enough of a cultural wasteland already in the summer months. Arts & Ideas is a dumping ground for washups and innocuous time-wasters. Let's give people a reason to look into New Haven, and to build something positive in its public spaces. We've got enough reasons to leave already.

I honestly believe that the City of New Haven has spent more money trying to stop Ideat Village over the last nine years, than it has taken to produce the festival over that same time period. Our total budget for all years of Ideat Village has been less than 25k. Just how many administrators will it take to finally stop Ideat Villlage??? The world may never know.

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.

In my long and mouthy message, I meant to put the word "Williamsburg" where the "xx" was. Thanks for understanding.
Love,
Todd Lyon

Please allow ideat village to carry out an important cultural mission.

Look no further than 360 State st. Johnnie D sold us out!

This picture is from Bike-A-Go-Go two years ago.
Under these arbitrary guidelines, these event will have to be cancelled, and everybody will miss the chance to dance.

Unbelievable. Come on, New Haven, you can do better than this!!

oh and PLEASE tell me that for whatever obscene amount of $ people are payg to live in 360 State, they could at least have put in decent soundproofish walls. I mean REALLY. And what about New Haven's and 360's lip service about 'stylish URBAN living' or whatever it is they're claiming to offer: NEWS FLASH, people!! We can't quite pretend to compete w/ the City that Never Sleeps when we apprently now have an 8 PM curfew?!?!?!!? Not quite urban OR stylish. !!

Please fix June 24, Pitkin plaza permit to allow performance until 10:00 (including amplified). A 7:45 cut off is arbitrary, unwelcome and highly unfair compared to similar permits issued to other events.

Ideat Village hosts fun, free events that anyone can participate in. I've never seen anyone having an issue at any of their events.

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

Its funny how a nearly empty eyesore, that pays no taxes to the city, has more say about what events can go on in the city than the musicians, artists and other folk... that do pay taxes

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.

Check out the Independet's article on it: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/city_silences_late-night_ideats/

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

I can't help but add another 2 cents. Forgive me. I don't know how many times I've heard that the goal of The New Haven Arts and Ideas Festival is to become like the Edinburgh Festival (a truly amazing month long festival with every imaginable type of performance). Well, none of the powers that be in New Haven have bothered to figure out is that the Festival they aspire to is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A festival started in the 50's to counter the elitist and closed to most Edinburgh Festival. Hmmm, sounds like Ideat Village to me. The Original Edinburgh Festival still exists, a handful of performances of opera and ballet, but it's the Fringe Festival that draws literally hundreds of thousands to Edinburgh every summer. Again I apologize for rambling but sometimes you just can't hold it in.
Ray Neal

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.......

New Haven should be celebrating, not limiting, its homegrown music and arts. Do the Right Thing, New Haven! Support and celebrate Ideat Village!!

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.

10pm is not late

I think it's inappropriate for the City to kowtow to this luxury highrise demands. Not even inhabited for a full year, existing tax-free on a "$1" lot, they have a lot of nerve attempting to control long time citizen's outdoor events. And I notice Bitsie mentioned the Management of 360 State. What about the tenants in their 2,3,4,5K/month (!) units? Do they want Ideat Village? Or are they not being informed about this outrage? Maybe they fear a Notice to Quit sliding under the door! Oh wait! Someone's got to pay for this monstrosity! Hey I'm in the 7th Ward. Maybe I'll pay my neighbors a visit.

The Arts are required for a healthy and safe community

I doubt it's arbitrary. It's most likely to appease those that pay a great deal of money to live on Audubon.

Well they are certainly committed to wrong-mindedness. And this Alderperson ran the Arts Council! I mean you cannot make this stuff up! I wonder if this will make national news like the gunfire thing?

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???

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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."

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

I also have to add that just yesterday, ironically, there was an article online in the New Haven Register regarding the last of the fundraising events which had been scheduled FOR Ideat Village fundraising, coming up this weekend. I say that this would be a GRAND opportunity to get signatures and a strong, powerful, petition going...Let's aim for starting with 360-365 signatures (haha for 360 State and 365 days in the year), and then aim for 360,000! : ) Sometimes it takes a Village...and a Village of IDEATs is clearly EVEN BETTER!!!!!!

What do you say?
(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

Sunset in New Haven for the month of June ranges, roughly, from 8:20 PM to 8:30 PM. It seems absurd that amplified sound would have to be cut off before the sun has gone down.

I live in New Haven for it's cultural offerings, not it's high crime rate... Apparently all our public spaces are good for after 7:45 is selling drugs and violent crimes...

Let's give the press something positive to say about our city...

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.

We should have a giant drumming circle from 7:46 to 10:PM. I AM BRINGING MY CONGA! AND SOME POTS AND PANS!

Abdelnoir, Five gallon paint buckets and empty plastic water cooler jugs. We could get some good noise going. :)

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. : )

errr, I meant AGAINST this silly little curfew.

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!

Mark you're AWESOME.

I can't add anything that Mark didn't already say eloquently. Come on, people. It's just not that late.

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Let the show go on then. Party, Party, Party! Ya. I will be there and make sure I woop it up just for clubAVX. Don't let the door slam you in the butt on the way out AVX. Enjoy all, I will

I live in Wooster Square where on summer weekends, very loud musical theatre from Consiglios comes through my window and drowns out my TV, music, conversation, or whatever. I wouldn't dream of complaing. It's summer in the city and I love it! Keep Ideat Village alive. It is not fair for new developement to stop something that people have been enjoying for years. Like many have said, when you move into a vibrant city you should expect some lively activity and noise from time to time. And come on, we are talking 10:00pm, not 3:00am!

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

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.

Scraps from the man!

If you want to peace and quiet move to East Rock! Having a vibrant downtown helps everyone! If New Haven isn't cool than why stay in CT?

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.

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?

Time to stand Up:

All of that information was FOI'ed on Thursday.

Yeah, thats a pretty stupid theory. Devils gear has no part in this. It's all 360 management with Johnnie D and his merry men (aldermatic board.) Of course its not signed... If you've got nothing to add, please Stfu!

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.

@ Streever
Do you own research... but I can't seem to find his name on the petition as "publicly" as he has stated his "support".

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.

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!

@ 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

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.

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!

A petition? really?.........A fkn petition. Matt didn't sign the petition. He must own a piece of 360 state st! WTF is wrong with some people? This has to be the first petition that I signed in 10 years. I never sign these things either. I don't know why I signed this one..........they don't work. They're just feel good machines for people that don't want to do the dirty work. I can tell you what Johnnie D is going to do with that petition........Bill will hand it to him, he'll look concerned and sincere. Lie ( like a good politician,) Then chuckle when everyone leaves, while he plays trashcan basketball with your petition. You don't get this guy elected, he doesn't care about you! That's just the way it is.

Streever -sorry about that. The missing comments threw me off. Was out of the loop for a few days and went back like 30 comments and saw nothing. My Bad.
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

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.

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

@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!

@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

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

@ Ray
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

@ Amy "360 State is owned collectively by 336 pension funds, including some representing hundreds of union members that are New Haven residents." So are oil companies.........try and get a 40 yearold on a skateboard to understand that.........good luck!

@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.

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.

The CIty has granted our festival the necessary permits.....

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.

Great job Bill & Nancy! Thank you for fighting the man!

Thanks Dave,

One of these days we are going to have to publish our "Stick-Manifesto"

HALLELUJAH. Annnnnnnd 360's come to their senses.....

Maybe anything is possible? You think we could get rid of that big ugly building now?

Ray Neal

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! :)