Opis
Hi, I have been watching with great interest the discussion of Canal Street and the river walk here. Sadly, since the Naugatuck River Greenway and Shelton river walk don't have sites that invite dialogue this site has been invaluable in creating a "town hall" to ask questions.
I have to ask what is going on with 223 Canal? I am part of a small group who has started researching this area online and in person as great progress has been made but announced projects seem to stall. Unfortunately, local newspapers have not been helpful because they will write a story (such as about Spongex becoming condos) in 2015 and the building then sits and rots into the eyesore it is today next to the river walk but the paper never returns to ask why it's two years later and you can't see a difference.
That said, 223 Canal has a sign saying it's being demolished and a nice porta potty and fence. I have read documents that say this building is coming down as it sits 3 feel into Canal Street making the site not only needs remediation but you can't rebuild Canal with a structure sitting on it.
Weeks and weeks go by... not a shovel in the ground. I know this is a slow process but when the pretty sign (which costs money) goes up to announce a project and the construction fence is put in place there should be teams of workers on site. There is no need for a sign and fence to "pretend" we are making progress.
Where do we stand here? Perhaps Shelton needs to post monthly updates on each project on a special page on it's site. Lots has been done but with Spongex in limbo, the Conti building needing A LOT of TLC on Howe and now this end of Canal just sitting there one has to wonder when these funds will be put to use.
and THANK YOU PLANNER! I know you will do your best to give a detailed answer as you always do. I only hope Ansonia, Derby and Shelton are paying you a consultants fee to update the public on their behalf.
9 Skomentujs
DP (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
Hope this might help you out, I live at Avalon and we received this email on May 10 regarding 223 Canal Street:
Hello Residents,
I hope this email finds you all well!
I was notified by the Mayor's Office today that the demolition of the 223 Canal Street Building, next to us, will be coming down starting in the next week or two. The building coming down will be during business hours only and will have no impact on any of us but I did want to make you all aware.
During the demolition process, unfortunately, the Riverwalk lights will be turned off due to having no power because the electrical panel which turns on the Riverwalk lights is right next to the 223 Canal Street Building. I am being told that the lights should be back on by mid June. When walking your pets at night, please walk them in front of our building for your safety.
Once I get any update on the Riverwalk lights coming back on, I will let you all know immediately.
On a positive note, this building coming down is a step in the right direct to bringing more development to our area
Planner (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
I would disagree on the length of time projects like 223 Canal take. When they involve environmental remediation the schedule is controlled by the regulators at DEEP and , yes, they do take longer to safeguard public health and safety.
Regarding Spongex and other privately-owned parcels, these projects move as quickly as the private owners move them; the state or local government have very little to do with timelines on these types of projects other than considering and approving or rejecting P&Z applications and building permits.
As for the Naugatuck River Greenway, the Derby to Torrington trail development is coordinated by the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments. They have some info on their website here: http://www.nvcogct.org/content/naugatuck-river-greenway-nrg
I know there is another website run by the Greenway volunteers but I don't know how to find it. You should call or email a planner named Aaron at NVCOG for info. I've seen him speak and he's very knowledgeable. All COG staff emails should be on their website. The office is now in Waterbury but their phone is still 203-735-8688.
I'm sorry if this wasn't as helpful as you hoped but the Avalon Resident provided good info about 223 Canal.
Michael Raymond (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
"I was notified by the Mayor's Office today that the demolition of the 223 Canal Street Building, next to us, will be coming down starting in the next week or two." - While I appreciate the Avalon resident sharing the communication they received it's now well over "the next week or two" and 223 Canal is sitting there untouched.
Did the demolition crew get lost? The chromium building foundation has been sitting with equipment around it with no progress for over a week (we're trying to fill a foundation and create a parking lot.. not that hard.) and Shelton seems to be distracted.
Planner (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
With all due respect Mr. Raymond, in regard to the Chromium Process site, I'm not sure what qualifies you to assert that safeguarding human health and mitigating contamination of groundwater for future generations from a 100-year history of deadly contamination is as easy as filling a hole and paving a parking lot.
Yours is an opinion founded in either ignorance or stupidity and I suggest that until you secure an advanced degree in environmental science, engineering or public health that you stopping ginning up the public to rush headlong toward poisoning people, fish or watercourses.
You might also take my prior advice here and contact the Shelton Economic Development Corp (SEDC) to find out what these actual project schedules are and what issues are involved. They are the implementing agency for the city and are located on Howe Ave. about halfway between 223 Canal and Chromium Process, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you to go to the source rather than your pointless whining and dangerous conjecture.
One would hope that we could agree that protecting people from dangerous releases of poison should take precedence over creating more parking for you.
I am sorry for taking this tone and do not wish to engage in an argument, but your opinion is dangerous and requires some response. I do not live in the area or have an interest in your project, but I care about dangerous chemicals ending up in the groundwater and rivers of Connecticut, as I would hope we all do.
Anne Beverly (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
I am glad I saw this. I'm happy to report that today during our inspection of Canal we found not only has work resumed to fill the foundation of the old Chromium plant but 223 Canal is starting to come down as of this morning. Amen!
Planner, I hear you but it's 2017 and the Shelton Economic Development Corp is paid for and works for the residents of Shelton. They should have an online presence where they update the public on how their are spending their money, what projects are happening when and what (if any delays) are occurring.
No one should have to pick up the phone and call the Shelton Economic Development Corp when we ALL deserve updates and answers as to where tax dollars (federal or otherwise) are being spent. In the interim, weekly inspections of process and reports here will have to do.
You are quite knowledgeable and I hope the SEDC is paying you to be their spokesperson. Someone should. The fact a member did not provide your detailed response to this forum is sad.
Planner (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
If people like you don't take their concerns about public information directly to them, how do you expect that they will improve communication? They clearly need your feedback. Email them? I'm sure their addresses are on their website, no?
Val Santos (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
Planner... the idea is OPEN FORUM. No need for a dozen residents to be e-mailing SEDC and getting responses. These private businesspersons can't post updates on a web site? Here? If a notice went out to Avalon residents and then the plan got delayed.. there is no need to update the public?
Ansonia tried (and failed) to launch a nice private app to report issues which much have cost a lot more than paying SCF for a membership. End result? I have heard a dozen stories of no response or replies telling residents to call someone else. Really?
Let Ansonia, Derby and Shelton launch their own message boards if they won't cough up the money to a site like this but open communication and discussion is key. With a closed app no one knows what is being reported or if it's being acted on.
I did hear a small group began monitoring the entire rive walk and canal a few weeks ago to keep an eye on problems, progress, etc. EXCELLENT! If something is amiss and hasn't been brought up.. it will be.
Planner (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
I was only suggesting that you email SEDC to urge them to post project updates and info on their website.
As for SCF membership, the 4 lower Valley towns declined to license the dashboard several years ago. It may be time for them to revisit this decision (lord knows it would make my life simpler), but how do you propose to communicate that to them if you stubbornly refuse to use the channels they currently use for communication???
Anne Beverly (Zarejestrowany użytkownik)
Hi Planner,
I am sure you're life would be SO much easier. However, as we see it, the 4 lower valley towns are well aware residents are using this focus to discuss issues. The former Mayor of Ansonia welcomed it on the boards. Instead of participating where residents were talking (and this site is/was promoted on local newspaper and media web sites so it directed them here) they declined to license this site knowing full well it's where residents were.
Ansonia then invested in some third party app that has had little results except people claiming they get no response or are told to call elsewhere for help. No open forum so no one knows what's being worked on. That probably was more than joining this site.
We're not stubborn ANY member of government in the Valley knows this site exists, knows issues are being discussed (including the SEDC) and if they are not reading these boards (paid membership or not) we might as well just call it what it is, Dereliction of duty. They are ignoring a forum taxpayers are using to discuss their needs. Not doing their job and making you do it for free.