ARTICLE
By Claire Bessette Day Staff Writer c.bessette@theday.com Norwich ? The city has two questions for residents about what they would like to see happen to the blighted, decaying Marina Towers building adjacent to the entrance to the Marina at American Wharf. Tear it down or seek development opportunities? The survey is posted on the city’s community engagement platform, Envision 360, with information showing potential views of a public park with waterfront views where the derelict building and overgrown parking lot now are located. Other images show a potentially refurbished building, replacing the faded pink siding with new features and windows showing lights on within the three-story building. The Norwich Community Development Corp. plans to hang a giant banner from the building at 74-78 West Main St. with a QR code that people can scan with smartphones to take them to the Envision 360 survey page. There is no set deadline for the survey. The banner will remain in place at least through December, said NCDC President Kevin Brown. He said that through Aug. 2, 57 people had taken the online survey, with 73% of respondents saying they want the building demolished and 27% saying to redevelop the building. Brown said comments posted by those who want it demolished highlighted the benefits of creating a fresh look at the city’s waterfront with added public access. “People want green space,” Brown said. “They want to see a public benefit for access, not for taxes. Other comments on the demolition side say, ‘It’s ugly and blocks the view of the harbor.’” Those in favor of redevelopment pointed out that a vibrant downtown needs people and businesses, Brown said, and redevelopment would bring much-needed tax revenue to the city. Brown stressed that the survey is not a vote but a collection of opinions from residents. The city has included money for an in-depth structural assessment of the building in its $23 million grant request to the state Community Investment Fund. The request includes money for abatement and some demolition, because even if the building is to be saved, it must be gutted for redevelopment, Brown said. The city purchased the building on July 3 for $350,000 from former owner JCM CT Acquisitions LLC, an affiliate of the former owner of the Norwich marina. City Manager John Salomone strongly supported the city’s move to acquire the building to address the blight located at the gateway to the harbor. Salomone said he is open to either demolition or redevelopment of the building, but he wants a decision to be made soon, rather than leave the building standing in its current condition. “If there’s a developer interested in creating something there, that’s fine,” Salomone said. “I’m in favor of being more aggressive in making the decision.”
By Claire Bessette Day Staff Writer
c.bessette@theday.com
Norwich ? The city has two questions for residents about what they would like to see happen to the blighted, decaying Marina Towers building adjacent to the entrance to the Marina at American Wharf.
Tear it down or seek development opportunities?
The survey is posted on the city’s community engagement platform, Envision 360, with information showing potential views of a public park with waterfront views where the derelict building and overgrown parking lot now are located. Other images show a potentially refurbished building, replacing the faded pink siding with new features and windows showing lights on within the three-story building.
The Norwich Community Development Corp. plans to hang a giant banner from the building at 74-78 West Main St. with a QR code that people can scan with smartphones to take them to the Envision 360 survey page.
There is no set deadline for the survey. The banner will remain in place at least through December, said NCDC President Kevin Brown.
He said that through Aug. 2, 57 people had taken the online survey, with 73% of respondents saying they want the building demolished and 27% saying to redevelop the building.
Brown said comments posted by those who want it demolished highlighted the benefits of creating a fresh look at the city’s waterfront with added public access.
“People want green space,” Brown said. “They want to see a public benefit for access, not for taxes. Other comments on the demolition side say, ‘It’s ugly and blocks the view of the harbor.’”
Those in favor of redevelopment pointed out that a vibrant downtown needs people and businesses, Brown said, and redevelopment would bring much-needed tax revenue to the city.
Brown stressed that the survey is not a vote but a collection of opinions from residents.
The city has included money for an in-depth structural assessment of the building in its $23 million grant request to the state Community Investment Fund. The request includes money for abatement and some demolition, because even if the building is to be saved, it must be gutted for redevelopment, Brown said.
The city purchased the building on July 3 for $350,000 from former owner JCM CT Acquisitions LLC, an affiliate of the former owner of the Norwich marina.
City Manager John Salomone strongly supported the city’s move to acquire the building to address the blight located at the gateway to the harbor. Salomone said he is open to either demolition or redevelopment of the building, but he wants a decision to be made soon, rather than leave the building standing in its current condition.
“If there’s a developer interested in creating something there, that’s fine,” Salomone said. “I’m in favor of being more aggressive in making the decision.”