WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	With Patriots gone, will Long Wharf mall get pushed forward (New Haven-WTNH) _ Even though the Patriot deal has fallen apart. There are other projects in the works that will hopefully breathe new life into Connecticut's cities. One is the Long Wharf mall in New Haven. It's taken some time to get off the ground, and like the stadium deal, many wonder if it's something we really need. News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports. Now that the governor is no longer preoccupied with the Patriots deal, Long Wharf Galleria supporters hope John Rowland will give some attention to the shoreline project. Frank DeMayo: "I personally don't think he's doing enough for this part of Connecticut, and he was putting all of his energy there, and maybe it's time for him to commit to something else locally." Mall opponents are putting a different spin. Andy Hahn of "Save our Downtown" says the spotlight will only bring out the glaring flaws. Andy Hahn "It should raise the level of scrutiny regarding this deal. This is basically another crafty Massachusetts developer looking for a handout from Connecticut citizens." The Massachusetts developer is getting $85 million in state and local money to build the mall. There are many obstacles to overcome before a sketch becomes reality. New England development needs permits from some key state agencies. The Department of Environmental Protection has already reviewed all of the reports submitted by the mall developers. The agency didn't raise any major objections, however the DEP did feel the developers could do a better job with storm water management." New England Development's biggest problem is with the Department of Transportation. DOT says the developer underestimated traffic numbers that the mall would likely generate. In the case of the Route 34 on-ramp, the number was off by 42 percent. DOT also says the developer underestimated the number of cars going in and out of the Galleria by 10 percent. Delays in the permit process would delay that July groundbreaking the developers and the city were looking forward to. The DOT has put what it calls a 'stop the clock' order on the whole process, because the developer has so far failed to resubmit a report with all the necessary modifications that the DOT wants. A spokesman for mayor John DeStefano's office says the developer wants to make sure everything is correct before resubmitting that report. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

With Patriots gone, will Long Wharf mall get pushed forward
(New Haven-WTNH) _ Even though the Patriot deal has fallen apart. There are other projects in the works that will hopefully breathe new life into Connecticut's cities. One is the Long Wharf mall in New Haven. It's taken some time to get off the ground, and like the stadium deal, many wonder if it's something we really need.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.

Now that the governor is no longer preoccupied with the Patriots deal, Long Wharf Galleria supporters hope John Rowland will give some attention to the shoreline project.

Frank DeMayo: "I personally don't think he's doing enough for this part of Connecticut, and he was putting all of his energy there, and maybe it's time for him to commit to something else locally."

Mall opponents are putting a different spin. Andy Hahn of "Save our Downtown" says the spotlight will only bring out the glaring flaws.

Andy Hahn "It should raise the level of scrutiny regarding this deal. This is basically another crafty Massachusetts developer looking for a handout from Connecticut citizens."

The Massachusetts developer is getting $85 million in state and local money to build the mall. There are many obstacles to overcome before a sketch becomes reality. New England development needs permits from some key state agencies.

The Department of Environmental Protection has already reviewed all of the reports submitted by the mall developers. The agency didn't raise any major objections, however the DEP did feel the developers could do a better job with storm water management."

New England Development's biggest problem is with the Department of Transportation. DOT says the developer underestimated traffic numbers that the mall would likely generate. In the case of the Route 34 on-ramp, the number was off by 42 percent.

DOT also says the developer underestimated the number of cars going in and out of the Galleria by 10 percent. Delays in the permit process would delay that July groundbreaking the developers and the city were looking forward to.

The DOT has put what it calls a 'stop the clock' order on the whole process, because the developer has so far failed to resubmit a report with all the necessary modifications that the DOT wants.

A spokesman for mayor John DeStefano's office says the developer wants to make sure everything is correct before resubmitting that report.

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