Enfield Group Hopes To Revive Thompsonville

My grandfather tried to convince the town back in the 70's not to do the urban renewal project that was supposed to bring vitality to Thompsonville. He was treated like a crazy old man from the Town council. He even designed his own model that would have left the businesses alone and fixed up the brownstone buildings that once graced Main Street. Instead they tore everything down and put up low income housing. They fooled the tax payers into thinking they were getting all these new office buildings. Instead the corrupt officials line their pockets and some went to prison and the town gets low income housing filled with drug dealers and illegal immigrants. In the meantime, it killed my grandmother and took away my grandfather's livelihood as he knew it. Now forty years later they want Thompsonville to go back to how it was. My grandfather was right all along and we all knew it. Just think of the tax payer money that would have been saved by not needing all the police presence down their and the strains on social services. There were no services when we were kids. Let them all go back to Mexico where they belong.

I lived in Enfield for over 30 years and Thompsonville has always been a haven for drugs and crime. I've seen them try to do different tactics down there and nothing has worked. Hopefully the few residents who want change and the town can finally do something. Start with a sweep, get INS and clear out the illegals. Pack them up and send them home. That'll take care of some of the crime and drug problems.

A buddy of mine lives in "T-ville" and I hate going to his house. I'll drive down the street and these young kids will try to look tough and stare at me driving by. I haven't seen any "immigrants" or a lot of spanish people. I see a bunch of corny wanna-be white trash meth addicts with bandanas thinking they're tupac. Hate to break it to 'em but, hey you're in a connecticut suburb that's known for its hick population. It's not Compton.

to Mary:

I would love to hear more about what plans he had, I think I know most of the story but I couldn't agree with you more that the whole 'renewal' thing was a misconceived and bad idea from square one. It ruined a lot of buisnesses and lives, and left us with a lot of cleanup. I think we owe it to some of those that stood against it to not only make it so, but to remember them while we do it.

Right now it is a location where many of the low level dealers are, but the larger busts have been primarliy outside of Thompsonville. I think with a combined effort of the community and the police things will look up. People had lost faith, whether due to some perceptions or some of the reality, in the town but I think the Chief was very clear at last night's meeting what people can do and that the police are invested in this more than ever.

Thompsonville doesn't belong to transient drug dealers, illegal immigrants or absentee landlords. These groups are on notice.

I think the group that Kelly and Sue have started up with the help of Rep. Tallarita is a great stride in the right direction. I look forward to offering any help I can, and appreciate the help they are providing both the ERSC and Thompsonville in general.

Darrin LaMore
Chairman ERSC

Enfield should have left it's downtown alone. There are towns and cities around that are great examples of that...Keene, NH is a great example of a beautfiul downtown that wasn't ravaged by urban "renewal." As someone who grew up in Enfield, I remember the downtown area as the "center" of town. There was the Strand Theatre, bakeries, small pizza shoppes and other small businesses that thrived there. Every Christmas they put lights up across the street and there was skating on Freshwater Pond without worry of getting mugged. Yes, the departure of Bigelow hurt, but can you imagine what downtown would be like now, with Bigelow Commons and a beautiful downtown thriving with small businesses, coffee houses, a theatre, and so on? Sorry, the horse left the barn along with the wrecking ball 40 years ago. This place is gone and not worth saving. Personally I would take a bomb to the place and start from scratch.

I am sorry to say but if you want to revitalize T'lle, bulldoze it and turn it into a park. Stop wasting money on something that will never be. Our fore fathers cut it off from the rest of the town and turned T'ville into a slum back in the 70's and now thats what it always will be. How can you expect to make it a nice place with all the rentals and low income housing right at the main entrance to that area. They should never have destroyed the center of town with urban renewal and never have dropped the bridge. They should have made it a foot bridge at least then people might have ventured down there to walk over to suffield. I know there are a lot of good people that still live down there and it isnt fair to them but lets face it, nothing these politicians do short of turning it into a park is going to draw people down there. I am sure T'ville park would cost alot less to build then to try to revitalize an area that is lost, and it would be a good place to put all the much needed soccer fields. Or here is another option, the town could take every house "not owner occupied" by eminent domain and demolish them and open up the area and get rid of the blight. That might be a start at salvaging T'ville, but even then I really dont think there is anything that is going to draw people there.

Two words. Section 8. As long as the Government pays people's rent why work. Need hard working people with jobs rather than city imports with no jobs. This is not rocket science.

One other thing I am sure turning that old school in to apartments for junkies, drunks and ex cons is going to really help draw people to T'ville.

Why Revitalize Tville wrote:

I am sorry to say but if you want to revitalize T'lle, bulldoze it and turn it into a park.

Another well thought out solution. A large empty space, as far as I know, brings in even less tax revenue than rentals - though I would defer to the assessors office for a dollar amount. The object is not to make it cost more for the rest of the town and force good families out. The object is to eject the scum, by catapult if I had my way, and make it a village again.

Stop wasting money on something that will never be. Our fore fathers cut it off from the rest of the town and turned T'ville into a slum back in the 70's and now thats what it always will be.

It will be if people just complain and take no action, I have said it a number of times that just because someone thinks they are incapable of revitalizing Thompsonville does not mean everyone is not.

How can you expect to make it a nice place with all the rentals and low income housing right at the main entrance to that area. They should never have destroyed the center of town with urban renewal and never have dropped the bridge.

Part of the solution is raising the owner occupied rate from its dismal levels (28% owned). I completely agree with any of the urban renewal complaints. And the bridge was mostly a safety decision but it would have been nice to rebuild in the same spot, I think there are still things that can be done with the supports in the river.

They should have made it a foot bridge at least then people might have ventured down there to walk over to suffield. I know there are a lot of good people that still live down there and it isnt fair to them but lets face it, nothing these politicians do short of turning it into a park is going to draw people down there. I am sure T'ville park would cost alot less to build then to try to revitalize an area that is lost,

There are quite a few things being done, and there are already a few private developers taking about business and homes down there. Part of the solution could be a park, but there is a lot more potential down there.

and it would be a good place to put all the much needed soccer fields. Or here is another option, the town could take every house "not owner occupied" by eminent domain and demolish them and open up the area and get rid of the blight. That might be a start at salvaging T'ville, but even then I really dont think there is anything that is going to draw people there.

There is a lot going on, and a lot that will fix the area. I think a big part of all the complaints is that we (ERSC) haven't done enough to make public what is coming and what we can do - and I will do a better job to inform people.

Unlike a lot of people in town, I don't give up that easy. I don't plan to loose a battle to drug dealers and absentee landlords out to make a buck off of section 8. I am better than than, we are better than that.

Those promoting slash and burn strategy sound no better than the Urban Renewal promoters of the 60s.. Bulldozing and Razing are exactly what got Enfield into this cycle of disinvestment.

Follow the solution to its conclusion-- let's say we condemn and tear down blocks where we don't like the residents or landlords-- you just transferred a major percentage of the town's Grand List. That solution significantly raises taxes for everyone.

The Council, town staff, and the interested residents and businesses are on the right track. Emphasize what's best (architecture, lifestyle, etc), apply consistent code enforcement, encourage (incent when neccessary) prudent development and preservation to attract home-owners which are followed by business owners, and remain committed to working with the State to see the commuter-rail initiative thrive...

The Thompsonville neighborhoods didn't decline in a year or even a few decades... The expectation that Enfield's slow turn of the ship has to be all-encompassing and produce an instant paradise is not practical.

I'm encouraged at the level of interest lately. It means the facts about the process of sound, lasting revitalization and the promise of incremental positive change are reaching people.

Darrin LaMore wrote:

<quoted text>
Another well thought out solution. A large empty space, as far as I know, brings in even less tax revenue than rentals - though I would defer to the assessors office for a dollar amount. The object is not to make it cost more for the rest of the town and force good families out. The object is to eject the scum, by catapult if I had my way, and make it a village again.
<quoted text>
It will be if people just complain and take no action, I have said it a number of times that just because someone thinks they are incapable of revitalizing Thompsonville does not mean everyone is not.
<quoted text>
Part of the solution is raising the owner occupied rate from its dismal levels (28% owned). I completely agree with any of the urban renewal complaints. And the bridge was mostly a safety decision but it would have been nice to rebuild in the same spot, I think there are still things that can be done with the supports in the river.
<quoted text>
There are quite a few things being done, and there are already a few private developers taking about business and homes down there. Part of the solution could be a park, but there is a lot more potential down there.
<quoted text>
There is a lot going on, and a lot that will fix the area. I think a big part of all the complaints is that we (ERSC) haven't done enough to make public what is coming and what we can do - and I will do a better job to inform people.
Unlike a lot of people in town, I don't give up that easy. I don't plan to loose a battle to drug dealers and absentee landlords out to make a buck off of section 8. I am better than than, we are better than that.

How many years have they been trying get people interested to just restore the old strand theater. That cant even be accomplished. The town cant even decide what to do with the old Higgins school. So now how do you think that something can be done to restore that whole area of town. Please be realistic. As far as tax generating. I bet if you check it out it cost more in up keep and services for t'ville than is actually generated in tax dollars so there would probably be a tax savings if there was no t'ville as we would not need as many police, social services, public works, less burden on school system etc.. Without eliminating every bit of rental housing down there, riviving t'ville is not possible. You could ring my park idea with nice little shops like what use to be in the center of town. That would draw people maybe and also generate taxes.
Dont get me wrong I have lived in enfield all my life and it would be great if the center of enfield AKA t'ville could be brought back to what it was years ago but unfortunately I really dont see that happenning without some seriously drastic measures. The sad part is that most of what would draw people was demolished in the 70's. Now all you have left are neighborhoods that have been ravaged with blight and crime. You are trying to make it a better place and I commend you for your effort. I just really dont see what the attraction would be.

Why Revitalize Tville -

You say, "Dont get me wrong I have lived in enfield all my life and it would be great if the center of enfield AKA t'ville could be brought back to what it was years ago but unfortunately I really dont see that happenning without some seriously drastic measures."

This group realizes that drastic measures are needed but it starts with a serious, dedicated group to come together, identify the needs and work together to accomplish them. As someone earlier said, it isn't going to happen overnight.

Come to the next meeting. They are at AMVETS on High Street the 3rd Thursday of every month. You don't even have to speak, just come and listen. People are ready for change in Thompsonville.

Be a part of the solution.

Why Revitalize Said:

You could ring my park idea with nice little shops like what use to be in the center of town. That would draw people maybe and also generate taxes

That is a great idea and something we would look into incorporating.

Dont get me wrong I have lived in enfield all my life and it would be great if the center of enfield AKA t'ville could be brought back to what it was years ago but unfortunately I really dont see that happenning without some seriously drastic measures. The sad part is that most of what would draw people was demolished in the 70's. Now all you have left are neighborhoods that have been ravaged with blight and crime. You are trying to make it a better place and I commend you for your effort. I just really dont see what the attraction would be.

You would be surprised at what the people who live there, especially at the meeting last night are willing to do. I agree its uphill, its near impossible and it will require time and sacrifice on some people's part. I am not asking anyone to believe in its revitalization that does not currently without any proof, but I am asking for a chance to let the people there and the town to prove the days of being part of the problem are over.

We can do this.

I wish you the best of luck.

Ok evetrybody, QYB and lets work TOGETHER to make T'ville a better place ! This is by far a LONG TERM PROJECT ! It is far from impossible, and just for the record, not everyone on section 8 or recieving SSDI is a bum... Some of us are doing are best to survive and take each day as a BLESSING, something you all should be doing ! You may very well someday have to walk a mile in my shoes ! If you think I am proud to be on SSDI and have to go to the soup kitchen for meals, you are very very wrong. I am doing what I need to do to survive! I also SUPPORT the idea of turning the former North School into supportive housing,the people that will live there need a break , they don't need to be shunned like lepers ! T'ville Will rise like the Phoenix and then you naysayers will eat your words.. It will take time and positive input, not BASHING, but it will happen !

I agree wrote:

Two words. Section 8. As long as the Government pays people's rent why work. Need hard working people with jobs rather than city imports with no jobs. This is not rocket science.

With political will, some of these problems can be partially reversed.

The town should look into selling off the perpetually empty parking lots in T-ville for mixed use development and use the proceeds to fund the construction of a municipal parking garage.

The town also should consider eliminating height restrictions in T-ville so that developers have the opportunity to build taller buildings that can generate profits commensurate to what they earn for suburban development.

Much of the welfare housing in Thompsonville is owned by the Town. There is no reason why T-ville should be the welfare housing capital of North Central Connecticut. Why should Enfield support it if Suffield, Somers, East Windsor and Stafford aren't? Of all these places, T-ville is the place where welfare housing is most likely to contribute to social ills.

The Town should transform the housing projects into market rate condominiums, while offering current owners first right of refusal. Because they were built using HUD money, that will involve going through a complicated process, but they look into what it would take. This would give residents of those properties an opportunity for homeownership… but not continue the status quo.

It's not the job of the government to provide people with welfare housing… and it's a racket that's gone on far too long. They should give people the resources to get back on their feet: job training, scholarships to community college, but not subsidized housing and food. I would add that there are conservative solutions to the high cost of living: they involve tax cuts to decrease prices, not indiscriminate subsidies.

James Bailey Brislin wrote:

<quoted text>
Much of the welfare housing in Thompsonville is owned by the Town.

WHAT? Mr. Brislin, I am afraid you are mistaken. TOE owns no residential property in the Village, or anywhere else in the community.

elmos world wrote:

<quoted text>
WHAT? Mr. Brislin, I am afraid you are mistaken. TOE owns no residential property in the Village, or anywhere else in the community.

Let me clarify that I was specifically referring to the Housing Authority properties.

Why is it I see more taxes coming to fund, yet another Social Pgm. It won't be long before the Council starts getting requests for money, then more money and pretty soon, the rest of Enfield starts looking like T'Ville because all the focus is on T'Ville. Then another cycle starts, the rest of the town. That can already be seen in some areas. Some of this is being done "For the Glory". All there has been, for many years, is talk and money. Few, if any, results. How long do you talk before people begin to stop listening? How long do you pump money into a losing proposition before the well runs dry? There is a large credibility issue that will have to be overcome.
It was stated that ....it will take time and sacrifice from some people. Those people who will have to sacrifice will be the taxpayer who already is paying more than what they are getting back.

elmos world wrote:

Those promoting slash and burn strategy sound no better than the Urban Renewal promoters of the 60s.. Bulldozing and Razing are exactly what got Enfield into this cycle of disinvestment.
Follow the solution to its conclusion-- let's say we condemn and tear down blocks where we don't like the residents or landlords-- you just transferred a major percentage of the town's Grand List. That solution significantly raises taxes for everyone.
The Council, town staff, and the interested residents and businesses are on the right track. Emphasize what's best (architecture, lifestyle, etc), apply consistent code enforcement, encourage (incent when neccessary) prudent development and preservation to attract home-owners which are followed by business owners, and remain committed to working with the State to see the commuter-rail initiative thrive...
The Thompsonville neighborhoods didn't decline in a year or even a few decades... The expectation that Enfield's slow turn of the ship has to be all-encompassing and produce an instant paradise is not practical.
I'm encouraged at the level of interest lately. It means the facts about the process of sound, lasting revitalization and the promise of incremental positive change are reaching people.

Until and unless the Section 8 rules are changed, nothing will change down there.