Business Owners: "Moving Land Use Departments Would be Counterproductive"

Twenty years ago, downtown Southington was anything but booming. Only a few businesses thrived while most storefronts remained empty and laundry hung from the upper levels of poorly maintained buildings.

The atmosphere is much different today thanks in large part to the Renaissance project efforts led by visionary developer Matt Florian and supported fellow developers like Mike Riccio, who have spent millions rebuilding the district into a flourishing commercial zone with restaurants, coffee shops and specialty stores.

Florian, Riccio and several business owners expressed concern Thursday that a decision to move land use departments from town hall to the North Center School property could be counterproductive to this effort.

“Three simple meetings could unravel what took four or five years to put together,” said Riccio, a former town council member. “The impact this move could have on our central business district is huge and I’d ask that as Southington continues to beat the economic drum, we take the time to analyze this thoroughly.”

Riccio said he supports the decision to utilize the North Center School and combine town departments with the Board of Education, but disagrees with a decision made by facility use committee members Thursday to recommend moving land use and economic development offices.

Florian, who was responsible for redeveloping both 98 Main St. and well as the former Abbey Park building that is now home to Farmington Bank, also expressed discontent with the recommendation.

“The town is looking at moving the core of downtown to a building outside the district - a building that is not going to be granite and brownstone but will still be the school,” said Florian, who called the Renaissance Project his life’s work. “We are removing ourselves from downtown here.”

Town Council member John Barry also voiced displeasure in the decision by committee members, saying he believes they should listen to developers and business owners who are concerned.

Business owners including Brett Powell of Rose to the Occasion Florist, 50 Center St., and Pam Bristol, owner of Move Over Martha at 35 Center St., each supported Florian and said they are also concerned about the negative affects of removing foot traffic from town hall.

“I started my business with a written promise and belief that the town was a partner in the downtown development,” Powell said.  “To quote a movie line, these guys have built it so they would come. Don’t break it so they all leave.”

Not everyone is in opposition to the suggested move, however. Residents Art Cyr and Sandra Feld each supported the relocation of land use departments, saying they believe the affects on businesses will be minimal and further noting it would free up parking issues at town hall while also improving the facilities for these departments.

But Riccio said the decision was not the right one.

“With the foot traffic to town hall, we’ve changed that area from what it was before – a ghost town with tumble weeds,” he said. “Local government is recognized as the commercial centers and this wouldn’t have happened without a public-private partnership.”