Roller Rink Encouraged, But Loses Out To Bakery

by Nicole Allan | Oct 18, 2007 12:08 pm

(19) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author

Posted to: Business/ Economic Development

Everyone from city aldermen to roller derby-er Evviva Weinraub (pictured) spoke in support of having a new roller rink in town, but the idea lost out for now to a better-funded plan to expand a local bakery and create new jobs. The legislative (as opposed to roller) action took place Wednesday night at a meeting of the Board of Aldermen’s Community Development Committee. The committee voted to approve the sale of a roofless, asbestos-ridden building at 108 Food Terminal Plaza to Joe and MaryAnn Montesano, owners of local bakery Something Sweet. The Montesanos plan to clean up the building and expand their growing business. Isee Greenwood (pictured) had hoped the city would give the lot to her instead. Instead of watching New Haven kids shoot each other, Greenwood said, she wants to teach them to roller-skate. By building an entertainment complex with a roller rink, arcades, mini movie theater, and food court, Greenwood said, she can lure teenagers from the streets. In order for kids to even walk through the door, she said, this complex must be on neutral — non-gang — territory. Like Long Wharf. Greenwood and a crew of supporters won the chance to make their case Wednesday night thanks to an earlier protest outside City Hall. Sandra McKinnie (left), an Edgewood community activist, said that kids in her neighborhood have been agitating for a roller rink for years now. With youth crime rates up and armed civilians patrolling the streets of Edgewood, McKinnie stressed the importance of creating safe gathering places for teens. “If you don’t see the urgency for it now,” she told aldermen, “then let’s sit back for six months and see, those statistics will break everybody’s hearts.” Local youth activist Maurice “Blest” Peters deplored the City’s prioritization of baked goods over its children. “Our children, we can’t just keep feeding them cake,” Peters emphasized. “Do we really want to save our children or is everything about the bottom line: money?” Chrissy Bonanno (at left in photo), the city’s deputy chief of economic development department, insisted that her office’s decision to recommend Something Sweet’s proposal over Isee Greenwood’s rink was not about money. Though 108 Food Terminal Plaza — which was repurchased by the city in 2006 — was appraised at $460,000 in June of 2006, a recent investigation of its interior reveals asbestos and lead problems as well as an almost non-existent roof, significantly lowering the property’s value. The Montesanos’ business plan, submitted in response to an open RFP (Request for Proposal) last year, promised to fix these problems while transforming the building into a warehouse that will provide 25 new jobs and increased property taxes for the City. In return, the Montesanos would pay only $100,000 for the property, according to their proposal. Bonanno and her economic development and LCI colleagues voted unanimously for Something Sweet over Greenwood’s proposal, as well as one submitted by food distribution business LC Cash-N-Carry and another by FTP Realty. Both Bonanno’s team and the aldermanic committee were supportive of Greenwood’s vision. They said the Long Wharf property is not the best spot for it. The neighborhood’s industrial character and heavy truck traffic might pose security concerns for Greenwood’s rink, and the decrepit state of the building is a massive financial obstacle, they said. “Let’s not limit ourselves to city land,” Bonnano said, encouraging Greenwood to consider other sites for the roller rink. “We don’t have that much land, and it’s trouble land. That’s how we end up with it.” Joe Montesano (pictured with MaryAnn) estimated he would spend about half a million dollars before the building would be in good enough shape to house his warehouse. Something Sweet is a for-profit bakery which exports its cakes and pies to Florida, Maine, and Minnesota; it has experienced a 35 percent average growth in the past 10 years. The Montesanos need the space to expand their business operations. Since they already have freezer space next door, 108 FTP is a perfect location for them. Greenwood’s start-up business plan appeared shaky in comparison to the Montesanos’, especially when Long Wharf Alderwoman Dolores Colon asked about its financial backing. Greenwood vaguely alluded to “private investors,” but her plan was not fully developed. “I want you to have a roller skating rink,” Colon said. She has taken Greenwood around her Hill neighborhood to garner support for the roller rink. “But I don’t want to be in the position of turning down Something Sweet and having them leave town and then having the building stand empty.” Colon implied that if the aldermen decided not to approve the sale to the Montesanos and to instead issue another RFP, Greenwood would not be able to pitch a financially viable plan for the property. Any doubts aldermen entertained regarding Greenwood’s finances they quickly balanced with praise for her vision. “I think we all,” East Rock Alderman Ed Mattison said, “or I know I, believe you have incredible energy and force and vision and I believe we want to do what we can to help you out.” Among Greenwood’s supporters was Evviva Weinraub (pictured at the top of the story), a member of Connecticut Rollergirls, part of an all-female roller derby league that would benefit from a New Haven roller rink. Weinraub pointed out that the new rink would not only serve as a gathering place for New Haven youth, but would attract visitors from across the state. The Rollergirls could also act as positive role models for New Haven girls, Weinraub said. “We’re young, athletic women, we do community service, and we have a desire to be part of a community.” Click here to visit the Rollergirls website and learn the rules of roller derby. Arguments like this were clearly not lost on the aldermen, but the committee eventually sided with Something Sweet for the Long Wharf property. SBI’s Frank Williams suggested that Greenwood look at alternate properties with fewer interior problems that she could rent until her business established itself. Though gang-neutral territories like Long Wharf are now few and far between in New Haven, aldermen seemed committed to helping Greenwood help New Haven teens. Winding up the meeting, Downtown Alderwoman Bitsie Clark pleaded with Greenwood “not to lose the faith,” not to let her energy diffuse into inactivity. Until Greenwood’s roller rink materializes, however, New Haven (and communities in other states) will benefit from an extra warehouse worth of Joe and MaryAnn Montesano’s crumb cakes.

Share this story with others.

Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

posted by: Outta-order on October 18, 2007 12:21pm Common sense prevailed. Otherwise the taxpayer would have had to fund the acquisition and the ongoing operation.

posted by: robn on October 18, 2007 1:18pm Common sense prevailed because roller rinks are dangerous. Have you ever tried to roller skate around a curve and right in the middle of your turn, the jackass DJ turns on the disco-globe? Its carnage I tell you.

posted by: cedarhillresident I so get what Greenwood wants, but the city did make the right choose at this time in a budget and revenue crisis. I am sure it was a hard one to make because Greenwoods views are very correct. So I am sorry Ms. Greenwood and I hope that some other space for these plans come up. And I would like to congrate’s Something Sweet.

posted by: concrenedwestvilleres on October 18, 2007 3:02pm This was a well-thought decision. I hope that the owners of the bakery will use this opportunity to help provide employment opportunities to some of the disadvantaged of New Haven. Maybe they could possibly look to begin a high-school internship program to help kids learn the bakery trade in an after-school or cooperative environment. As for the roller rink, it is a good idea but there would be issues beyond financing to resolve. How would the kids get to and from the roller rink. Bus service is limited on many routes so it would be difficult at Long Wharf without some accommodation by the local transit authorities. Another issue would be preventing “neighborhood” gangs from coming to the rink and claiming it as their territory and keeping many kids from the rink. The need for added security would have to be addressed. I think an entertainment complex for kids to keep them off the street is a great idea, but it should be located in a more central area to allow greater access by the children of New Haven. Finally, Kudos to Chrissy Bonanno and her desire to help both sides. I am excited that New Haven has someone who appears to work tirelessly for the better of New Haven and not just for a political agenda. She is also willing to communicate with the public on sites like this site. I hope she keeps it up—if she does this city can move forward.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on October 18, 2007 4:37pm Again The Voice Of The People Are Sold Out By

Politricks. If You Think That This Bakery Will Bring In Revenue Outta-Order, Robin Cedarhillresident And Concrenedwestvilleres Take A Look At This Website http://WWW.Chelseapiers.com This Entertainment Complex Brings In Millons Of Dollars

A Year!! And The Montesanos According to their proposal Will Pay 100,000 For the Property People

Wake Up and Smell The Mackrel And Look For A Hot Tub!!! So Yes The Montesanos Are Going To Benefit

Alright They Will Be Eating The Cake And New Haven Will Be Left With The Crumbs!!!

posted by: concrenedwestvilleres on October 18, 2007 9:45pm Chelsea Piers is different than anything that could be put in New Haven and different from what was proposed. Chelsea Piers is in NYC and has become a part of the tourist scene there. Much of what it offers you can’t find in the surrounding area (rock climbing, etc.). To think a roller rink for New Haven kids would be similar to what they have at Chelsea Piers is comparing apples and oranges. I would have liked to see an internship program and hiring from the poorer areas of town incorporated into accepting the proposal. New Jobs won’t be useful if they hire from Branford and Milford. There is alot of work to do in New Haven. This is only a beginning.

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on October 19, 2007 7:53am Concrenedwestvilleres

My Point Is Just What You Said Tourist And That Is How The Money Is Made, Long Wharf Can Hold A Entertainment Complex Like Chelsepiers. But Do To Poltricks The Powers That Be Do Not Want This. Look How Much Money Six Flags Brings In And Has Complexs Across The Country. Like I Said The Montesanos Will Be Eating Cake And New Haven Will

Eat Crumbs!!

posted by: robn on October 19, 2007 9:28am threefifth, Chelsea Piers is a really exciting project, but New Haven lacks the critical mass to support such a venture. We would need to attract half of the state population to match Manhattens population which is much more dense…plus theres only so many places that you can do large scale entrtainment in Manhatten whereas in CT theres open space and potential competition everywhere. Big ideas are cool, but i have no problem with New Haven making slow incremental changes, supporting small to medium sized businesses to provide local jobs. That being said…anybody checked lately how many local jobs (promised by Ikea) have materialized?

posted by: pedro on October 19, 2007 5:13pm Threefifths, I don’t think that Ms. Greenwood was prepared to offer more than the $100,000 that the Montesanos were paying. They are also going to spend close to $1 Million cleaning up the asbestos and building their warehouse. No one here is denying that a roller rink/entertainment complex is not a fantastic idea, but in that specific location, I don’t think it was a good fit. With any luck the city will help her find an ideal location in the city for her vision and it will soon be on it’s way to success!

posted by: THREEFIFTHS on October 19, 2007 6:30pm Robn

Look At New London Which Next Year Will Have Cruise Ships Comming In, How About Mystic. Long Wharf Can Hold A Entertainment complex Like Chelsepiers Or Even Small, As You Said Look At Ikea From What I heard The Only Good Thing About Is You Can Go In And Get A Good Lunch.

posted by: Outta-order on October 19, 2007 8:28pm 3/5ths,

It is clear that you are now functioning on mackerel overdose!

posted by: Chip Croft on October 19, 2007 9:10pm Once again the kids in the inner city of New Haven lose! They have told the Board of Aldermen time after time that they need after school and weekend activities to stay out of trouble. The kids I know in the Dixwell area have to go to Wallingford to skate and they are desperate for a rink in New Haven. They are not able to or can’t afford to get to Wallingford. A well managed, secure rink in neutral territory can and should be developed as soon as possible to - once again - give the kids a way to burn off their energy and prevent teen gun violence and thus minimize the need for legislation for the memorials around town. The kids should be put first - way ahead of a bakery! Wake up Aldermen didn’t you hear the cry of the kids at all those open hearings you had for them!!

posted by: Ralph Ferrucci on October 19, 2007 10:00pm As a former roller skate guard at Roller Haven in North Haven for almost 10 years, I thought the skating rink was a great idea. we used to have buses from New Haven schools al the time. this is a great idea to keep kids off of the streets. Unfortunately we went with a bakery. There is no provisions that requires the bakery to hire New Haven residents. The skating rink not only would keep new haveners off of the streets, both young and old, it would also have brought people into town. This is a loss to New Haven. I just hope Ms. Greenwood does not give up on her dream.

Ralph Ferrucci.

posted by: Noelle on October 20, 2007 7:24am While it didn’t work out on this particular property on Long Wharf, the roller rink is a great idea. I teach in the New Haven Public Schools, and kids are always talking about roller skating. They go up to Waterbury for open skates, and organize parties up there as well. Skating is appealing to New Haven’s kids from kindergarten past high school. I hope Ms Greenwood continues to pursue this idea.

posted by: East Rock resident on October 22, 2007 12:34pm Ralph- This kind of absurd, non-sensical thought is why i will not be voting for you in Novemebr. You really think a woman with a dream of opening a non-profit rollerskating rink, when she has no experience and no capital, a failing business plan and no means of success (her own business plan showed her losing 8million a year) was a bettter option that a bakery which employess scores of New Haven residents? You have really become a punchline. time to call it over. Stop embarrassing yourself.

posted by: Isee Greenwood on October 22, 2007 3:20pm I am so sorry you feel that way. First the all it is not a non-profit business. Secondly,you recieve incorret information about the financial piece of my project. Thirdly,we vote for people who claims they have the same interested. However, when they become an official everything changes.Our youth is getting shot up,lock up,beat up,and being drug up ranging from ages 9 through 24 Also, statistacis show that 50% of the youth that were arrested were first time offenders.In addition, the pregnancy rate has increased. Futhermore, my eight grade student got shot in the eye with a gun as a result she lost her eye and innocent by stander.New Haven Board of Education says “Kids First” and 0 Tolerence Thank you Mr.Ralph Ferrucci for your support If you have futher comments please email me directly at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

posted by: robn on October 22, 2007 6:20pm Ralph, I just can’t consider voting for you unless you absolutely promise that you weren’t the guy who turned on the disco globe…causing dizzying roller skate carnage every time.

posted by: WEBbloger 1 I’m sorry Ms. Greenwood, your proposal never saw the light of day. The Fusco group has three properties in the Long wharf terminal and the deal was sealed long before the hearing. It was gruel for Chrissy Bonnano to lead you on. At the same time you should know that people are not endeared to your project by comments such as those below… “Our youth is getting shot up,lock up,beat up,and being drug up ranging from ages 9 through 24 Also, statistacis show that 50% of the youth that were arrested were first time offenders.In addition, the pregnancy rate has increased. Futhermore, my eight grade student got shot in the eye with a gun as a result she lost her eye” The fact is, it becomes very difficult for people to get excited about a good idea when that idea is being sold based on the above statistics. Roller rinks have a short term life span and many in the past experienced teenage clashes resulting in closures. Nevertheless, we should continue to find organized recreational opportunities for kids in New Haven.