PZC Member: Park & Ride Move Contradicts Town's Transit Goals, Creates Safety Risk

Image
Phoenix Avenue may soon host the state’s new Park & Ride bus stop—but the road remains hostile to pedestrians. There’s no sidewalk on the east side, and the west side sidewalk (pictured) ends just short of Hazard Avenue—with no safe crossing in sight. On that same side, it also fails to reach South Road. I’m thankful for Enfield’s pedestrian crosswalks and walk signals, and for its efforts to create bike lanes and trails. But that doesn’t change one immutable fact about Enfield: This town is unsafe for bike riders and pedestrians. Phoenix Avenue is a perfect example—a road that’s about to take on new importance for our community. The state is apparently planning to relocate its Park & Ride to 90 Phoenix Avenue, near South Road, where there’s evidently a lot large enough to support this service. The Park & Ride connects residents to the state’s bus transit system. It has to move from Enfield Square because of the planned development project. It’s always been difficult to r...
Post a Comment

Election Issues: Goodbye, Mark Twain Pickleball Courts. Hello $600K Fermi Pickleball Courts. What About the Fermi Building?

Fermi -- aka Enfield Annex -- sports field


We don't have local elections in Enfield. Sure, we go through the motions—candidates put up signs, pen the obligatory Patch profiles, and stuff our mailboxes with slogan cards. But we don't have debates or forums. Our appointed mayors fade into the background and run as individuals.

It's disappointing.

The community remains disconnected from the government at the most consequential time. Without election engagement, unpopular ideas can and will be adopted by the council majority—without sufficient public input.

That has to change.

This is the first in a series of posts I'll be writing on issues that should be part of this year's local campaign. I'll label each post "Election Issue" and present an argument. 

Election Issue 1: Enfield's Transparency Problem

The town insists it's open—except when it doesn't want to be.

Take the $586,000 Fermi Pickleball Court project. It was approved just two months after the town adopted its budget. It wasn't part of the Capital Improvement Plan. It didn’t come up during budget hearings and appeared on a council agenda just weeks later—catching even some council members by surprise.

"I am a little frustrated that this is coming now, a month or two after we approved the budget," said Councilmember Gina Cekala, a Democrat, during the July council meeting.

Surprise agenda capital items on significant, non-emergency issues aren't how town government should work. Let's make this a topic in the election, because the problem involves more than pickleball. Residents should ask candidates questions about the decison and process. 

The discussion of the pickleball courts is also raising a bigger issue at the council meeting—something Cekala framed.

"If we're spending this money here," said Cekala, she wants to ensure that whatever happens with the Annex, "we maintain control or lease, or whatever it is, of this area as well as all of the rest of the field."

Editor's note: An earlier version of this post did not mention that the Town Council vote to approve the $586,000 Fermi pickleball court project was unanimous. That omission has been corrected here. 

Election Issue 2: Let's Discuss Fermi

The town has been kicking the can down the road on Fermi for years. The building needs work, and it's costly to maintain. There's general agreement on that.

What we don't have is a public process to decide its future.

Here's how that could change:

1. Form a Fermi Reuse Advisory Committee

Comprised of citizens—ideally with experience in planning, real estate, or community development.

Town staff can assist, but no council member should chair or dominate this group.

The committee's first task: gather and review all data on the building's condition, usage, and costs.

2. Engage the Public—Broadly

Hold community forums.

Proactively reach out to nonprofits, private developers, the regional planning group, and so on.

3. Develop Reuse Scenarios - Brainstorming

Here are some possibilities:

-- Move most town departments to Fermi. Lease unused Town Hall space for housing or offices, taking advantage of the train station. Keep the meeting space.

-- Create a modern Enfield Public Library. The location could pair well with nearby youth recreation programs.

-- Partner with Asnuntuck Community College or workforce training initiatives.

-- Explore a mixed-use model. Housing is often the default, but don't rule out shared office space, light industrial use, or startup incubators.

-- Other possibilities that will likely be on the table include full demolition, or partial demolition to preserve the gym, pool, auditorium, and some office and recreation spaces.

The committee would evaluate the feasibility of each idea and eventually draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for developers or nonprofits to respond to.

All meetings should be open to the public—and ideally livestreamed on YouTube.

Why This Matters

Whatever happens with Fermi—whether reuse, redevelopment, or even demolition—it will likely require bonding. And bonding requires voter approval, which is all the more reason to keep the public engaged.

A real public process increases trust. Being sneaky does the opposite. 
Location: Enfield, CT 06082, USA

Comments

Post a Comment