Keller's Name Should Be Part Of Town Center

By Scott Benjamin

BROOKFIELD -- With the emergence of the 198-acre Town Center of Brookfield project near the Four Corners, perhaps municipal officials and civic volunteers should consider naming some portion of it after the person who initiated the concept.

The late Ken Keller, who was first selectman from 1983 to 1987, first envisioned a downtown for Brookfield in the late 1980s when he became chairman of the Economic Development Commission.

His successor, Bonnie Smith, who was first selectman from 1987 to 1999, said that she always thought that getting the Town Center developed would be a fitting tribute to Keller.

She has said that they were political opponents who became friends.

Almost every first selectman since Keller left office 30 years ago this month has embraced the Town Center concept.

Former First Selectman Bill Tinsley said during his unsuccessful 2009 campaign that Keller had far-reaching vision.

Keller, who had earlier served as the chairman of the Board of Education, became committed to Brookfield having a downtown central business district, which many New England municipalities have. He devoted countless hours to seeking concepts for the project and ensuring that a bypass road near the Four Corners would be constructed.

With the opening of the 2.1-mile Route 7 bypass in November 2009, the potential for that central business district became a reality as it reduced the traffic congestion that reached 30,000 vehicle trips a day through the Four Corners intersection of Federal Road.

Now with lamp posts, the first phase of a streetscape and retail businesses on the verge of opening, Keller’s vision appears ready to transform northern Brookfield.