Columbus Park

[Eastside Bill]

Tell me that Dave Salafia's proposal to eliminate Columbus Park and put in a giant box store is just an early April Fool's story. There's no other possible explanation.

[Casey]

I didn't read about Salafia's plan, but tearing down that park is a bad idea. That park gets plenty of use by kids and adults playing ball during the summer. And it's got some history to it. Since I was a kid that park was there. We would go there on the Fourth of July to see fireworks.
It's a part of the city's history and still gets a lot of use during the summer.We need more parks, not more shopping.I would rather have the city give this park an overhaul and make it more attractive.

[jma]

Love this council! Spend big bucks to build a softball field, and then turn around and try to tear another one up. Can any of these idiots think LONG TERM, or do they only care what happens during their time in office?! Leave Columbus park alone, and try fixing up Lincoln Plaza instead.

[Eastside Bill]

Well, to be fair, Dave Salafia is the only council member (that I've read anyway) who thinks paving over a neighborhood park to replace it with a box store is a great idea. It seems to be his idea and hopefully, this idea will die a quick death. This comes under the "What were you thinking?" category.

[gene36]

:eek: The pols of Meriden have created a monster called tax revenue.
It must be constantly fed to keep it tame.
Thats why they are always looking for more open space to destroy in the name of progress, and additional taxes.
We have reached a point where we must put the monster to sleep.
A hold should be put on any more so called growth and the town must be put on a diet.
A budget must be passed that only matches last years revenue and then a review toward cutting spending in order to slim down the monster.
Of course this is all a fantasy if we keep electing the same proffesional Pols
who all have the same tax and spend mind set.
The last I read there are 60,000 people in meriden. Where are they at election time?
Thanks for letting me vent, It felt good.

[Eastside Bill]

I suspect the voters will remember Salafia's proposal at election time. He has certainly given any opponent who runs against him plenty of ammunition.

[JohnH]

Well there was another article in todays paper about this, seems like he still wants to pursue this idea claiming there is not enough commercial space available. Why not redevelop the existing blighted areas first before removing the parks ? He could start with the old hospital on Cook Ave, maybe dress up the properties next to the Vault.

Removing the parks will only hurt the young people who use these facilities.

[collie]

It's great to see other people feel the same way over this stupidity. Councilor Salafia unfortunately is going to keep this nonsense up. Thought he'd shut up after the opposing letters to the editor and editorial, but, no, I had to pick up my paper this morning and read about it again! At least the mayor is opposed. Hope other councilors are hearing from lots of people opposed; I called mine.

[gene36]

I agree that tearing up the park is a bad idea. In the spring and summer all the fields are being used until 9 or 10PM .
If they would improve the fields and add more parking space this is an ideal place for a park.

[merres43]

I disagree with most of you. Although I am not sure if developing the park is 100% the way to go, a study to see how that area's use could help the economic status of meriden would be worth a looking at. The bottom line is Meriden does not have enough businesses that can help support the tax base and for this residents suffer by paying an unfair percentage of taxes. If the softball fields could be replaced at another location (say the hub) and the city could draw some much needed business to the columbus location, it should at least be brought forth for debate. Eric Cotton's recent blog addresses this very subject and some of his arguments make a lot of sense. Maybe Meriden's residents should keep an open mind and do some research before making decisions on such matters.

[collie]

God, that last entry was rather snotty.

[JohnH]

If the softball fields could be replaced at another location (say the hub) and the city could draw some much needed business to the columbus location, it should at least be brought forth for debate.

So you suggest we tear down a commerical building at the hub replace it with some ball parks, tear down the ball parks at Columbus Park and put up some commercial building. Sounds like another winning solution for the people of Meriden.

[Eastside Bill]

Maybe I'm missing something here. The idea is to gut an existing neighborhood park, spend significant tax dollars to relocate its existing ball fields to open space (think of the cost and problems with the new ballfields off of Thorpe Avenue) plop a box store in the Columbus Park neighborhood, and probably give significant tax breaks to the box store to get it to build in our parkland? Where is the part where this benefits the neighborhood and benefits Meriden? This kind of vision and planning would be comical were the proposal not serious.

[UNiRAC]

[QUOTE=merres43]I disagree with most..."the softball fields could be replaced at another location (say the hub) and the city could draw some much needed business to the columbus location, it should at least be brought forth for debate"
This city has evolved over 400 yrs. and must continue to. location must over-ride asthetics, where are the 'Soccer[SUV]moms?? The 'HUB' is not fit for buildings but only park land or maybe the original RIVER that it was hundreds of years ago. look it up [at your local library]
as alwayz, all flamez:confused: welcome