Corner of Wells Road & Silas Deane

[morganika]

I was wondering if anyone knows what is going to be happening at the intersection of Wells Road and Silas Deane Highway, at the now nearly vacant shopping center.

It looks run down, and I'm wondering if there is anything lined up to move in there. Even the bank looks run down, the whole corner could use some brightening up.

It would be good if a small market could move in there again. There's nothing convenient now except for Bliss Market, which is GREAT but not open at night or Sunday afternoons.

[oldetowne]

Maybe we can get a Dunkin Donuts there too. That would fill the 1/2 mile gap between the one across from Weth. Shopping Center and the one that is proposed for Suny's/3 Sons.

[hodiddly]

Not that it really matters, but I heard that the proposed donut shop going into Suny's (which will be sorely missed, by the way) is not a Dunkin' Donuts but some other chain (mid-western I believe, but not KK or Whole Donut). With all of the effort going into the other side of that intersection, I would think there will be interest in the now vacant Blockbuster, but other than that site, what else is vacant?

[standish]

Sounds as though a "Tim Horton's", which, I believe, is a Canadian chain, is going in where Carnival is. Dunkin' Donuts is definitely slated for Suny's. No knowledge of plans for Blockbuster or old Stop & Shop, except that S&S still holds the lease for a few more years from Ocean States Job Lots (who may or may not move in at the end of the lease... )

[oldetowne]

The application for Suny's IS Dunkin Donuts. Same guy who owns the other two on Silas Deane. It is to demolish the building and put up a new one with drive through, parking, and small retail attached to it (1000 sq.ft +/-) There is a proposal for a Tim Horton's donuts where the Carvel/Carnival ice cream place is diagonally over from the town hall (across from Lamore's). That hasn't been filed yet as an actual application.

Amd I think Morganika was referring to the old Stop & Shop and Amici's etc. that Ocean State Job Lots bought and has done nothing to since last fall, not to the Blockbuster/Vito's plaza.

[morganika]

Yep, I was talking about the Amicis plaza. Good grief, what's with all the donut stores? Why do we need ANOTHER DD, their donuts stink anyway. And Ocean State Job Lot, geez, what a class establishment.

I think we could use another small grocery, like a Highland Park or something, quick pickup stuff. Or, a good restaurant, a vegetarian or organic one would be nice, we don't have anything like that.

I know that it is important to get business in Wethersfield so we can afford to keep spending a lot of money, but shouldn't we be more choosey?

[hodiddly]

Thanks for setting me straight...Maybe you have heard about this as well - I heard that in the old S&S building we may be getting a Sports Authority, which would be great (much preferred over OSJL)!

p.s....Tim Horton's is more than just donuts, it is breakfast & lunch type fare...

[morganika]

Yay, even Sport's Authority is better than Job Lot!
Lets hope we get something good at the old Amicis and the Blockbuster.

[standish]

We can't pick and choose the business models that dictate an attractive location for specific businesses. We can only jaw-bone and recruit desired entities. It is finally up to the marketplace.

Unfortunately, the marketplace on the Silas Deane has shifted to businesses that cater to low-income customers: If you were a business inclined to serve the Hartford market, would you locate in the city itself, with high taxes, crime, etc., or, in an adjacent suburb with better police protection, services, lower taxes, etc. (which, by the way, is also in ever-increasing proximity to lower-income neighborhoods)?

...and Hartford wants us to pony up even more?

It's time to change the image of the Silas Deane as best we can, to attract businesses who serve a more upscale demographic. Maybe EDIC and the various Silas Deane Improvement Committees can have an effect.

[oldetowne]

Those are good points, Leigh. I think it's also worth noting that the town has made some steps in the right direction with the new zoning regulations and with the tax incentive policy that exists (but has never been used).

The stumbling blocks are the economics, the demographics, and the sheer configuration of many of the parcels of land on the Silas Deane as far as their ability to sustain anything more than a 3000 or 4000 square foot building.

Making progress at places like the Stop&Shop/Ocean States location, Fun Zone, 1000 SDH and the new Mila buildings are the places where some real activity can occur. The grand list isn't going to grow if we swap out one low-end retailer for another.

It would also be nice to see something happen at the Progress Drive industrial park which has sat dormant for 20 years now.

Finally, the town would be well served to try to keep some of the existing farm land in active farming use through any one of a number of state and federal programs so that the additional burdens of more school kids living in more large homes on small lots at the west end of town doesn't require us to add onto the Webb School before the paint dries from the current renovation. Keeping land in open space saves money in the short and long run.

Aside from those, the twin 800 lb gorillas of Putnam Park II and the Interchange Zone are the ones that are always out there for discussion.

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

According to the Town Manager's (weekly report to Town Council) for 8/12/2005, she has been notified by Ocean State Job Lot that they have "come to an oral agreement" with Stop and Shop (the leaseholder which is just keeping other business out of that space). It appears that OSJL may be able to open their store there in "November" this year. Apparently this type of business maneuver on S&S's part is a common type of restrictive covenant to protect their own market share.

Any one know what's going on with the former Amici's building on this property?