Redevelopment Meeting Draws Mixed Reaction from Residents

Community reaction was mixed after the Town Hall meeting on Tuesday night, with some residents saying the information provided about the redevelopment project was positive, while others said it created cause for concern.

“I’m glad that finally these issues were brought out of the shadows,” said 9-year resident Danielle Keisel, who said her chief concern was which businesses would lease space in the development.  “Compromise is always the name of the game, but [the presenters] just didn’t seem that open to the idea of upscale businesses.”

Keisel said she was referring to George Jacobs, Principal Developer of Jacobs Enterprises, who said retail establishments like Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Foodtown and a nail salon were being considered to lease space in the development.

Another resident was surprised by the idea that that supermarket customers would have to pay parking deck fees if they exceeded a 45-minute time limit. “I don’t think the people of Bloomfield are ever going to pay for parking to go grocery shopping,” she said.  “It takes most people over an hour.”

“I think we need to be very concerned about the traffic flow,” said Greg Babula, a Broad Street resident for six years.  “Long term, we have to be careful.  But overall I think this is a very good redevelopment plan.”

He went on, “It was very informative to understand why they’re looking at Foodtown, and the challenge of fitting into that space.  Attracting a certain class of business will raise up the fortunes of the downtown.  The retail establishments will attract a mix of people and give it a vibrancy and vitality.”

“It was good to have a conversation about this,” agreed Megan Wiley, a 10-year resident.  “I learned something.  I didn’t know what was holding [the progress of the development] up.”

Wiley and her neighbor, Ann Murphy, are both north-end residents with children in the public school system.  Both said their commitment to Bloomfield hinged on the success of the redevelopment.

“We’re at a point where we’re either going to move or, if it attracts the right kind of people, stay,” said Murphy.  Residents with higher education created higher expectations of what the town had to offer, she said.

“Our concern is what type of stores will go into that development.  We need more higher-end stores.  I was really excited about them until I talked to the developer.  That took the wind out of my sails,” said Wiley.

Overall, she said she is cautiously optimistic about the prospect of the redevelopment.

“My taxes have tripled since I’ve been here,” she said.  “If you put up apartment buildings you’re looking at a transient community who’s not investing in the town.  If the town doesn’t clean itself up, it’s over.  Bloomfield is at a crossroad.  This will make or break the town.”