Doolittle and the Allyn Street Controversy [OPINION]

As Doolittle, my basset-hound mix, stares at Allyn Street from the comfort of his couch, he worries about more traffic on his road if signs go up for "Downtown Mystic" on Exit 89 off Interstate 95. He's almost been hit several times by motorists rolling through the flashing red light intersecting Library St. His short legs can't always run fast enough to beat the oncoming traffic. He not only worries about me getting hit along with him, but also the children who take him for a walk.

If the proposed signage takes place, will the safety of dogs and children be addressed? Will we need more traffic lights on Allyn Street? More police to ticket visitors who think the 25 mph speed is just a suggestion? I am not a traffic/signage/tourism expert, just a resident who is concerned for both downtown businesses who need more exposure and Stoingington businesses and Groton neighbors who purchased their businesses and homes on opposite sides of the Mystic River with an understanding of a tourism signage agreement made in 1989.

I'm hoping the community can make an educated decision on this issue. To that end, can anyone tell me if the Department of Transportation has done a community study to learn the impact on safety and tourism with a sign change? If a study has been completed, how can the public see a copy? If one hasn't been done, is one being planned to see the impact on walk-ability, biking, etc, for the Groton side?

On Tuesday, May 17, 7:30 p.m., at the Town Hall Annex (134 Groton Long Point Rd), residents and businesses will have a chance to support or voice concerns over the proposed sign. You can learn the business point of view for the proposed signage change by clicking here. You can read the point of view of residents against it (author unknown), with their ideas for helping tourists learn about downtown Mystic, by clicking here. You can read the flyer left at my door (author unknown) detailing the controversy, and the councilors to contact, by clicking here.

I agree with one reason suggested for the signage--so more tourists learn about downtown Mystic and the businesses there. When I've been near Olde Mistick Village and tourists approach to pet Doolittle, they often ask for my dining and fun "things to do" recommendations. When I ask if they've been downtown yet, some respond they didn't know we had a downtown. Not know they can watch boats sail in from all over the world at the drawbridge? Not know all the fantastic restaurants and shops there, along with the possible boating adventures to be had?

I'm sure there are several ways to get visitors downtown other than creating another "tourist" street, which goes against an agreement made in 1989. Perhaps scheduling and advertising more evening activities--there's not much to do near the bridge in the evening and many of the shops are closed.

To help tourists find adventure and all that Mystic has to offer, I designed a free downloadable "Mystic Seafarer's Trail" map. Businesses that would like to see tourists stay longer or return can easily download it to hand out by clicking here (it includes Stonington and Noank, too): https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9Klfxar2Cmjczkya3RQb1dqbjA/edit (businesses are welcome to put their own info on any open space)

I think visitors would be served by having an advertised location with chairs where an introductory film ran every 15 minutes. I wrote a travel memoir, Mystic Seafarer's Trail, so tourists could follow me all over Mystic as I walked the trail. You can read an excerpt by clicking on the "Look Inside" feature here: http://www.amazon.com/Mystic-Seafarers-Trail-Titanics-Earharts/dp/148008...

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