Agenda 2030 mixed use propaganda. This is not an ISSUE.

Please don't close issues based on your personal political biases. It's appropriate to allow others the same opportunity to comment as you took yourself. Voicing your opinions is valuable, but trying to circumvent dialogue is oppressive.

Why would you put any work into this and then post it here, if you're not proposing to purchase and develop the property? That proposal doesn't speak to the needs of the village (but I AM a proponent of mixed-use), and frankly looks like it would be an ugly addition to the village center. No offense.

I'm mystified that a fairly simple restaurant concept with the ability to build to suit that is in a known cash-cow location hasn't occurred yet. Is the Village actually dying?

@Johathan Hopkins I give you a lot of credit for pushing the idea- any idea. Many thanks.

This isn't a city issue, and shouldn't be an open outstanding item.

I acknowledge that this is not a conventional issue like a cracked sidewalk or broken streetlight, but the City's Economic Development Department has been interested in getting this site developed for the last couple years, so I decided to throw a couple images together quickly to [hopefully] support, add to, and inspire the City's efforts and see if there might be local support from Westville residents and business owners as well to develop the Delaney's site with village-appropriate buildings.
jeffp,
The addition of two small mixed-use commercial and residential walk-up buildings wouldn't "speak to the needs of [a dense, mixed-use walkable commercial and residential neighborhood center made up of small buildings]"? The exterior appearance of the buildings are merely a generic placeholder and shouldn't be taken as a literal design proposal. Clapboard siding would probably be more appropriate for this site, but that's not the point of this post.
Do people like the vacant lot? It provides extra space for the Art Walk event. If the site is developed, should it be a single story commercial building with a parking lot, like what is found in a suburban strip mall? Should the site be developed with buildings that match the existing character of the surrounding context ie 2-3-story mixed-use buildings?

I love the idea of residential over retail at this site. I do worry this area of Whalley won't live up to its potential as a retail corridor until it's treated as a community amenity instead of a thoroughfare for commuters into-and-out-of New Haven. It's just not very pedestrian friendly right now.

Jonathan, who's plan is this that you've posted?

Just curious, why is this being posted on SeeClickFix?

Seems like this lot continues to be vacant because no one is willing to pay the asking price to purchase and develop it. Unless the city wants to buy it and turn it over, what else can they do? Pressure the owners to sell at a cheaper price? Tax incentives? Obviously a long-vacant lot in a prime village location is a problem. But any solution requires a developer to take on the project.

As I said, I'm all for urban, human-scaled mixed-use and it's entirely appropriate here, unless a market analysis shows there's enough residential and a two-story commercial development would be more appropriate. Maybe putting more residential eyes on this area would help improve the feel of the area and kickstart neighboring properties to better maintain or improve their own buildings. All these decisions are part of a normal development process that can't be side-stepped for such an important parcel.

Perhaps I was a bit harsh in my first comment, and I appreciate your efforts to stimulate some discussion. You must have some experience in design/construction/development. I know these are early schematic drawings, but I know enough to extrapolate a 3D design from a floor plan and this isn't that inspiring. Again, not trying to kill anything, just some constructive criticism. Thanks for your contribution.

The City of New Haven does offer an Assessment Deferral Program. There are other Economic Development Programs offered by the City of New Haven. The main Number for the Office of Economic Development is 203.946.2366.

Here is a link to Assessment Deferral Information:
http://www.cityofnewhaven.com/EconomicDevelopment/DoingBusiness/readmore.asp?ID=%7B1B1E9E50-8C76-4468-9813-473E0D6194DE%7D

A bit odd to post this "issue" here, but I agree. This is the visual heart of the village, and it sits empty.

If anyone in the Economic Development department in New Haven can speed up getting this bought, it'd help many of the businesses in the area. Right now it's just a vacant eyesore.

Property has been purchased and the owners have communicated to the community regarding their building plans.

Thanks for fixing this request!