This poor building is a dagger in the heart of New Haven. Apparently the owners are the Malley family (of Malley's department store), but since there are something like 20 heirs and they all own a stake in the building, it's next to impossible to track them down and get them all to sell.

I call BS on that story, and even if there is a grain of truth, I think that it's more a lack of imagination and effort that has stopped people from resolving this.

Maybe we should open up a SCF or other appropriate venue dedicated to getting to the bottom of this. At the very least we should be able to track down just exactly what the ownership is of this building and find out the next step.

Information about this property from:

http://www.visionappraisal.com/
and
http://www.concord-sots.ct.gov

BUSINESS DETAILS:
Business Name:

MJB REAL ESTATE SERVICES CORP, 260 QUARRY ROAD, UNIT A, MILFORD, CT, 06460

Member:
DANIEL JOHNSON

Residence Address:
9 VAIL COURT, TRUMBULL, CT, 06611

Agree. This building is horrendous. It brings down property values of the entire city.

I know that downtown property owners, city ED officials and activists have been trying pretty consistently to do something about it for at least 10 years, with no results... so good luck. Maybe SCF will have better luck!

I realize that others have tried with the building owners before, but I'm holding out for the slight chance that a little pressure on the tenant will help. Too bad AT&T already got their building permit. What I'm really hoping to do, though, is get people thinking about regulations. Why isn't there a rule against covering your facade with styrofoam? Or using those god-awful plastic box signs? Who can make this happen?

Hey Liz,

I agree that there needs to be stricter signage an facade regulations for new permits in New Haven.

It's hard to believe that on one of the main streets in New Haven, at the center of New Haven, there are ugly storefronts that look horrific. This is the worst one on the block, but not the only. The Ann Taylor store looks like somebody blew up the roof. I really would encourage a project to have floors added there. Also, the one-floor white building next to TD, I would encourage that to be worked on, floors added, and made into a storefront. We have work to do here, most of that block needs to be fixed up to look nice.

yeah, this building hurts to look at. i like the idea of urging at&t to make some improvements. if your business wants to profit from a dense area with lots of foot traffic, then give back to the community with some work on the aesthetics of the neighborhood.

New Haven should realize that it's charm is in the quality of it's architecture. It has some of the best buildings in the USA. (most are on the Yale campus.) It has more architects per capita than any other city. These simple facts should be enough to really re-think New Haven's identity as a place of quality architecture, encouraging development, and constructing parks.

SNET, errr SBC, no wait AT&T owes New Haven, so the least they could do is spend some $$$. It's a tax write-off for them anyways

Here's aphoto the ugly building via Seeclickfix iPhone app. Looks like AT&T won't be doing anything.

I really hope that at&t doesn't just leave it like that. Take down the sign, do some work on the front.

Alas, I took a close look at the storefront last night. This is NOT an AT&T Corporate store, this is one of those crappy 3rd party cell phone outlets that use the AT&T name (just like the Sprint store in the chapel square mall), so I think these guys could care less as to what their store looks like, just someone out to make a quick buck, like the Dunkin Donuts next to it. What ridiculously chintzy uses for an A1 location.

Well at least the Sprint store on Church Street looks half decent! Something really has to be done about this store and the ones in the same building, it looks horrible!

The black mask of death.

Alas, the store looks to be open for business. What a shame, and what a terrible use for that space.

yeah, but something tells me that they won't be open for very long. maybe its a hunch based on the overlapping 8 x 11 copier paper advertising campaign in their windows? ;)

we'll just have to be ready to pressure the next business to rent the space.

So AT&T is open, and I agree with Juli that it won't be there for long! Seriously shabby shop job. It seems however to be taking only one half of the ugly black storefront, and plywood + door are still sloppily covering the other half. Has anyone heard what the plan is for that portion? The whole thing is just embarrassing for such a high-traffic and otherwise nice area! I wonder how neighboring Zinc feels as it tries to attract higher paying customers...

The store front will not be staying that way. From what I hear Edible arrangements is moving next store, and the front is getting a facelift.

Yes, it is true that Edible Arrangements is opening a store here, according to their website. According to CareerBuilder, you can apply for a job now. I'm sure that the company will not allow for their store location to look like a dumpster, so hopefully it will be fixed up!

please fix this! the building should be taken over by the city if the landlords keep sitting on it like this.

I was just speaking with Mr. Persano about the issue. He told me that he plans to get the front re-done, but he is just waiting to see what Edible Arrangements will be doing to their front just to be sure he doesn't screw up and make things worst

I'm happy to report that the AT&T storefront now looks ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL compared to the Edible Arrangements right next to it :D

Yes please.

So, Edible Arrangements has officially moved in! While the exterior for both the tasty store and the AT&T store is absolutely disgusting - it totally deceives the interiors. The AT&T store is pretty nice on the inside, standard modern classy phone store. And the Edible Arrangements - I really suggest for people to stop by sometime! The interior is fixed up really nice, big flatscreen tvs with the menus on them.. and the Frutation drinks - absolutely delicious!!

This issue was just mentioned in a story by the English newspaper The Guardian!

Check it out here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/jun/01/crowdsourcing-internet

Words fail to describe how psyched I am that my name is in an English newspaper.

Congrats on the great news coverage, SCF and NH Indy!

Leer el mundo blog, bastante bueno

Issue closed.