We're on the cusp of doing something extraordinary with Thompsonville, but we're also steps away from making some bad decisions.
Thompsonville needs help. It has a high percentage of absentee owner buildings. When I graduated from Enfield High School in 1972, some properties that were in bad shape then are still in bad shape. Thompsonville needs investment and housing conversions to condos. We need more owner-occupied. The train station and improved bus transit will help a lot.
The town has already invested considerable effort in revitalizing Thompsonville. Higgins Park, and their busy schedule of seasonal events, may become a traffic generator for new retail in Thompsonville. The Freshwater Pond improvements are stunning. I walk my dog weekly in the area, and she loves it, and so do I. It's beautiful.
However, these efforts to transform Thompsonville into one of the city's most attractive neighborhoods and an investment hub could easily unravel. Achieving a positive outcome hinges on the town leaders' ability to navigate beyond political entanglements.
The housing plan
In July, the Town Council, in a 7-4 vote with Republicans dissenting, agreed to sell the former Strand Theater property and an adjacent parcel to Impact Residential Development for over $260,000.
Initially, Impact Residential proposed 123 units with retail space and parking for 56 cars. But their latest proposal is for 70 housing units, no retail, and 76 parking spaces. The strategy is to have 56 units as affordable housing.
Concerns about parking from the town prompted the developers to scale back the project and remove the retail space. Yet, this modification has stirred discontent among some residents, particularly over the loss of retail space and the design alterations. Additionally, there's lingering opposition due to Enfield's historic reluctance to embrace affordable housing for the working class.
The Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) is set to continue its hearing on this plan on Thursday (Dec. 7), while the Town Council plans a closed session with the developer on Monday at 6 p.m.
Despite the earlier Republican opposition to the property sale, it remains unclear what the Republicans envision. But a feasible plan can be developed with a concerted effort from all parties acting in the town's best interest.
Solving the parking dilemma
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| We need parking on North Main |
A parking solution is within reach. We could expand on-street parking along North Main Street, starting from Route 5 upwards, probably accommodating over 100 cars. This addition will be essential, especially if future developments, like a potential brewpub materializes. Imagine patrons parking on North Main and enjoying a scenic walk around Freshwater Pond.
The Thompsonville firehouse should find this addition parking acceptable, drawing a parallel to Middletown's Main Street firehouse which successfully integrates vertical parking near its station. This practice is standard in many communities. Having lived in the densely populated Washington D.C. for 25 years, I've witnessed how effectively every inch of on-street parking can be utilized, extending right up to stop signs. Thompsonville could adopt a similar approach, challenging our current parking norms.
New retail
There's a clear demand for retail in Thompsonville, but the question arises: what type of retail? The neighboring plaza hosts a place of worship, a salon, and a nutrition store. We will get more of the same unless the town works for something that will drive ongoing foot traffic. We should aim for businesses that act as extensions of one's living room, where customers aren't rushed and can comfortably spend time.
A great example is Tryst in D.C., (Tryst instgram) a popular spot for remote workers by day and a venue for low-key music attracting young crowds by night. Enfield must collaborate with the developer to attract such businesses, offering cash incentives for desirable retail establishments.
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| Cafe, 18th Street, Washington DC |
We could create a Pearl Street library annex and lease out part of that space to a coffee shop and restaurant.
Bookstores are trendy places, especially if they serve coffee and food. But Enfield will have to work to get these types of uses.
The final point: Affordable housing
The proposal at hand is a blend of affordable and market-rate housing. Enfield prides itself on being family-focused, yet nearly 30% of our households consist of single individuals. Affordable housing, targeting incomes up to $70,000, is not only necessary but vital. I would have been a candidate for such housing in my younger days.
This housing will appeal to young people, like entry-level bank tellers earning $42,000 or retail associates averaging $32,000. Even entry-level firefighters in Thompsonville, with starting salaries around $40,000, would benefit from this. Can we, as a community, afford to let biases deter us from supporting such a crucial initiative?
Let's encourage Impact Residential to proceed with its original plan of 123 units plus retail. By creating additional on-street parking and partnering for the best retail outcome we can collaboratively foster growth.
Thompsonville can be a highly desirable neighborhood, provided we continue to focus on positive and constructive steps rather than criticism.
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